Remote Research Support: Green Hydrogen and Its Application in Lebanon

Mission and objectives

Our Mission and Vision: As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in three focus areas; sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience. UNDP’s mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. We advocate for change, and connect countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. Our Development Objectives: UNDP’s work, adapted to a range of country contexts, is framed through three broad development settings. 1- Eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions 2- Accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development 3- Building resilience to crisis and shocks Our Strategic Solution UNDP is implementing six cross-cutting approaches to development, known as Signature Solutions. A robust, integrated way to put our best work – or 'signature' skillset – into achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. 1. Keeping people out of poverty 2. Governance for peaceful, just, and inclusive societies 3. Crisis prevention and increased resilience 4. Environment: nature-based solutions for development 5. Clean, affordable energy 6. Women’s empowerment and gender equality

Context

Lebanon's prolonged electricity crisis and significant renewable energy potential have generated growing interest in alternative energy pathways, including green hydrogen, to diversify energy supply, reduce emissions, and build long-term energy resilience. To advance this thinking, UNDP Lebanon is supporting applied research into green hydrogen and its relevance to the country's Renewable Energy projects and broader climate action agenda. To inform this work, UNDP will develop a presentation examining green hydrogen concepts and production methods, its applications and environmental, economic, and social advantages and disadvantages, and Lebanon's electricity system, water availability, and renewable energy resources as they relate to hydrogen feasibility. The presentation will translate technical and scientific research into a clear, visual resource the project team can use directly for reporting, awareness-raising, and planning, strengthening the evidence base for renewable energy and energy diversification efforts in Lebanon. UNDP is seeking an Online Volunteer to support the development of this presentation. The volunteer will conduct remote applied research on green hydrogen production and applications, its advantages and limitations, and Lebanon's electricity system, water resources, and renewable energy context as they relate to green hydrogen feasibility. The completed presentation will serve as an important tool for guiding the project team's understanding of green hydrogen's potential role in Lebanon's energy and climate strategy. By contributing to this initiative, the volunteer will have the opportunity to: - Showcase their research, analytical, and presentation/technical communication skills through a UNDP-led renewable energy project. - Contribute to evidence-based planning on green hydrogen and energy diversification relevant to Lebanon's sustainable development. - Gain visibility and recognition through acknowledgment in UNDP's related reporting and communication materials, where applicable. - Strengthen their portfolio with practical experience in applied research on renewable energy and alternative fuels. - Receive an official certificate of appreciation recognizing their valuable contribution to the project.

Task Description

The Online Volunteer will develop one PowerPoint presentation on green hydrogen and its relevance to Lebanon, to support the project team's Renewable Energy work. The presentation will explain green hydrogen concepts and production, examine its applications and advantages/disadvantages, and assess Lebanon's electricity system, water availability, and renewable energy resources as they relate to hydrogen feasibility. The volunteer will be responsible for: - Researching and explaining what green hydrogen is, how it is produced (electrolysis powered by renewable electricity), and how it differs from grey and blue hydrogen. - Researching the main applications of green hydrogen (e.g., transportation, industry, energy storage) and how it compares to alternatives such as batteries. - Identifying and explaining the environmental, economic, and social advantages and disadvantages of green hydrogen, including its production costs. - Benchmarking green hydrogen production costs in Lebanon against global figures, and identifying the key cost drivers (e.g., renewable electricity costs, electrolyser investment, economies of scale). - Examining Lebanon's electricity system, water availability, and renewable energy resources (solar, wind) as they relate to green hydrogen feasibility. - Assessing whether and how Lebanon could benefit from green hydrogen investment (e.g., households, industry, workers/economy, environment) and identifying the key barriers and priorities. - Drafting a short, evidence-based recommendation on Lebanon's green hydrogen outlook, and reflecting on where chemical engineering could contribute to solutions. Expected Deliverables: - One PowerPoint presentation (clear, visual, and well-structured). - English language version. - Content covering green hydrogen concepts and production, applications, advantages and disadvantages, cost benchmarking, Lebanon's electricity system, water availability, and renewable energy context, and a recommendation on Lebanon's green hydrogen outlook.

Competencies and values

Living conditions and remarks