Hydrogen is emerging as a key player in the effort to reduce carbon emissions, especially in sectors where electricity alone may not be sufficient. While the primary goal is to replace fossil fuels with low-carbon electricity, hydrogen is being considered as a complementary solution in areas such as heavy industry and transportation. For instance, in industrial processes that require specific chemical reactions, hydrogen can act as both an energy source and a chemical building block. In air and maritime transport, hydrogen can be used to produce synthetic fuels, which are becoming increasingly important as part of regulatory frameworks aimed at reducing emissions. In the production of primary steel, traditional methods rely on blast furnaces that use coke, a fossil fuel. This process is highly carbon-intensive. A promising alternative involves using hydrogen in direct reduction units paired with electric furnaces. Here, hydrogen acts as a chemical reactant, replacing coal in the iron-making process. This shift not only reduces emissions but also marks a significant step toward greener industrial practices. The production of nitrogen-based fertilizers, such as ammonia, also highlights hydrogen’s potential. Ammonia is typically made using hydrogen derived from fossil fuels. By producing hydrogen through electrolysis—using electricity—this process can be decarbonized. Similarly, in the chemical industry, hydrogen is a vital component in the production of methanol and other chemical intermediates. These applications show how hydrogen can be integrated into existing industrial systems to reduce their environmental impact. For aviation and maritime transport, hydrogen is particularly valuable as a raw material for synthetic fuels. The European ReFuelEU Aviation regulation mandates the use of sustainable aviation fuels, and synthetic fuels derived from hydrogen are part of the solution. Likewise, the FuelEU Maritime regulation aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships by promoting the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels. These regulations underscore the growing importance of hydrogen in achieving sustainability goals in transport. In the realm of heavy road transport, while France’s strategy emphasizes battery technology due to its energy efficiency, hydrogen still has a role in specific applications. These include vehicles requiring long range, frequent use, or those needing rapid refueling, such as those with refrigeration units or those operating in areas with limited electrical grid access. However, the use of hydrogen in these sectors is not possible without the right infrastructure. Infrastructure is crucial for the widespread use of hydrogen in industry. Large-scale producers like steel and ammonia plants require dedicated transport networks to supply hydrogen efficiently. This is where projects like NaTran, France’s national gas transport operator, are stepping in. They are developing open hydrogen networks to connect production centers with consumption points and storage facilities. One such initiative is the HY-FEN project, which aims to create a national hydrogen backbone connecting southern France to the Moselle region. This project is part of a broader vision to link European hydrogen production and consumption zones through the H2med network. Scheduled for completion in 2032, HY-FEN is expected to transport up to 2 million tons of hydrogen annually, playing a key role in the continent’s renewable hydrogen strategy.