A profitable dream: New technologies make the implementation of green hydrogen cheaper

Author: Ing. Mario Toyo, June 19, 2023.

Green hydrogen is presented as the energy of the future, and its profitable implementation is increasingly viable thanks to new technologies; which are currently paving the way towards global decarbonisation. The energy industry has been making progress to achieve the objectives of the Paris agreement, promoting a positive and sustainable vision of the sector.

Green hydrogen and its potential as energy of the future

• It is emerging as the energy of the future due to its great potential as a clean and sustainable source. Produced from the electrolysis of water using renewable energy, it does not generate carbon emissions during its use. This makes it a key solution to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and address climate change.
• It has multiple applications in sectors such as transport, industry and energy production. It can be used as fuel for fuel cell vehicles, as a feedstock in the production of chemicals, and as storage for renewable energy.
• The implementation of hydrogen has been driven by technological advances that have improved its efficiency and reduced its costs. Innovations in electrolysers, storage, and distribution have helped make green hydrogen an increasingly cost-effective and viable option on a large scale.
• In addition, hydrogen plays a fundamental role in global decarbonization. By not generating carbon emissions, it contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and meeting the objectives of the Paris agreement to limit global warming.

Current technologies that make the implementation of green hydrogen cheaper

Current technologies are playing a fundamental role in reducing costs and in the economic viability of the implementation of this hydrogen as an energy source.

• First, advances in electrolyzers, devices used to produce hydrogen through the electrolysis of water (See Fig. 1), have improved their efficiency and reduced their costs. New technologies, such as proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers and solid oxide electrolyzers (SOECs), allow for more efficient, smaller-scale production, reducing installation and operating costs.

• In addition, research and development have driven the creation of new materials and catalysts that are more effective and cheaper, which contributes to lowering the costs of hydrogen production.
• More efficient and safe storage systems have been developed, such as high pressure storage tanks and hydrogen absorbent materials. Likewise, distribution networks and green hydrogen charging stations have been established, which facilitates its access and use in different sectors.
• The integration of renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind energy, with the production of green hydrogen also contributes to making their implementation cheaper. Using renewable energy as a source of electricity for electrolysis reduces the costs associated with green hydrogen generation and lowers your carbon footprint.

The dream of global decarbonization and the role of green hydrogen

The dream of global decarbonization has become an urgent need to tackle climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In this context, green hydrogen plays a key role in the transition to a low carbon economy.

• Green hydrogen, produced from renewable sources through the electrolysis of water, does not emit greenhouse gases during use. This makes it a promising alternative to replace fossil fuels in various sectors, such as transportation, industry, and power generation.
• The use of hydrogen as fuels achieves a significant reduction in carbon emissions, which contributes to mitigating climate change and meeting the objectives established in the Paris agreement.
• It plays a key role in decarbonising sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as heavy transport and high-temperature industry. By being used in fuel cell vehicles and as a feedstock in industrial processes, hydrogen enables a more sustainable transition to a carbon-free economy.
• Hydrogen offers the advantage of being a versatile and storable energy vector, which facilitates its integration into existing energy infrastructure. It can be used as fuel in fuel cells to generate electricity, as a form of renewable energy storage, and as a raw material in the production of chemicals and fertilizers.

The energy industry moving towards a sustainable future

The energy industry is experiencing significant progress towards a sustainable future, and behind this progress are:

1. Success stories: emblematic green hydrogen projects worldwide.

• “H2-Hub Airport” project at Los Angeles Airport, United States: This project aims to turn the airport into a green hydrogen hub and reduce carbon emissions associated with airport operations. Solar-powered electrolyzers are being deployed to produce green hydrogen, which will be used to fuel ground service vehicles and power fuel cells for electricity generation.
• Green Hydrogen Plant in Fukushima, Japan: As part of the rebuilding efforts after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, a green hydrogen plant has been built that uses renewable energy to produce hydrogen on a large scale. This project highlights the ability of hydrogen to provide a sustainable energy solution and contribute to the revitalization of the region.
• “Hydrogen Valley” project in Copenhagen, Denmark : Copenhagen has become a model of a sustainable city with its “Hydrogen Valley” project. The objective is to use this type of hydrogen as an energy source in different sectors, including public transport, industry and power generation. Hydrogen charging stations have been established and hydrogen buses have been rolled out, demonstrating the potential of green hydrogen to decarbonise cities.
• Offshore wind farm “SeaH2Land” in the Netherlands: This project combines the generation of offshore wind power with the production of green hydrogen. Excess wind power is used to power electrolysers and produce green hydrogen, which can then be stored and used when needed. The project shows the synergy between renewable energy and this hydrogen, taking advantage of the available natural resources in a sustainable way.

2. Outstanding personalities promoting the development of green hydrogen

• Elon Musk: The visionary entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX has been actively involved in promoting clean and sustainable technologies. Although Musk has primarily focused on the electrification of transportation through electric vehicles, he has also expressed interest in green hydrogen as a viable energy solution. His leadership and vision have influenced public awareness of the importance of transitioning to cleaner energy sources.
• Patrick Pouyanné: As CEO of TotalEnergies, one of the world’s leading energy companies, Patrick Pouyanné has shown a strong commitment to the energy transition and the promotion of green hydrogen. TotalEnergies has invested in green hydrogen projects and has established strategic alliances with other companies to boost the production and use of this renewable energy source. Pouyanné’s leadership has been instrumental in positioning TotalEnergies as a key player in the development of green hydrogen.
• Bertrand Piccard: This Swiss adventurer, known for being the first man to fly around the world in a solar plane (See Fig. 2), is a leading advocate of clean energy and green hydrogen. Bertrand Piccard has founded the Solar Impulse Initiative to promote sustainable energy solutions and has advocated for the use of this hydrogen as a viable alternative to fossil fuels. His experience in exploration and innovation has contributed significantly to raising awareness of the potential of green hydrogen.

• Christiana Figueres: As the former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Christiana Figueres has played a pivotal role in the Paris agreement negotiations. Figueres has been a passionate advocate for decarbonization and has actively promoted the use of green hydrogen as a key solution to reduce carbon emissions in the energy industry. His leadership has been instrumental in raising awareness and action in the fight against climate change.

3. Economic and social benefits of the implementation of green hydrogen

• Job creation: The transition to this type of hydrogen drives job creation in various sectors. Qualified personnel are required for the production, installation and maintenance of green hydrogen generation equipment, as well as for the construction of related infrastructures, such as charging stations and distribution networks. This generates new employment opportunities and contributes to local and regional economic development.
• Cost reduction in the long term: Although the initial implementation of green hydrogen technologies may entail significant costs, in the long term the costs are expected to decrease. As the demand for and production of hydrogen increases, greater production efficiencies will be achieved and costs of scale will be reduced. Also, by relying less on fossil fuels, you avoid the costs associated with volatile oil and gas prices.
• Improved air quality and public health: This type of hydrogen is a clean energy source that does not produce greenhouse gas emissions or harmful air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides and fine particles. By replacing fossil fuels in sectors such as transportation and power generation, air pollution is reduced, which in turn improves air quality and public health. This translates into a decrease in the costs associated with health problems and the need to mitigate the effects of climate change.
• Promotion of innovation and competitiveness: The implementation of this hydrogen promotes technological innovation and fosters competitiveness in the energy industry. Investments in research and development of technologies related to green hydrogen generate technological advances and promote the adoption of more efficient and cost-effective solutions. This not only benefits the energy industry, but also the broader economy by promoting competitiveness in the global sustainable energy market.
• Contribution to decarbonization and climate goals: Green hydrogen plays a critical role in decarbonizing hard-to-electrify sectors such as heavy transportation, heavy industry, and large-scale power generation. By replacing fossil fuels, this hydrogen reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps meet climate goals set out in international agreements such as the Paris agreement.
• We highlight the economic and social benefits of the implementation of this hydrogen, such as the creation of employment in the renewable energy sector, the improvement of energy security and the reduction of dependence on fossil fuels.

Conclusions

Green hydrogen offers significant potential as an energy of the future. With its ability to reduce emissions, diversify the energy matrix and promote the transition towards a low carbon economy, it is positioned as a key solution in the search for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy future.

Today’s technologies are making the implementation of green hydrogen more accessible and cost-effective. Advances in electrolysers, storage, distribution, and renewable energy integration are helping to reduce production costs and boost the economic viability of this type of hydrogen as a promising sustainable energy alternative.

Green hydrogen plays a crucial role in the dream of global decarbonization. Its ability to reduce emissions, its versatility and its technical feasibility make it an attractive option to drive the transition towards a sustainable and carbon-free economy. With a focus on the production and utilization of this hydrogen, we can move towards a cleaner, more promising energy future for generations to come.

“Discover how green hydrogen is transforming the energy industry towards a sustainable and profitable future.”

References

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