Green Hydrogen
What is green hydrogen and why is it important?
- Green Hydrogen is a transformational technology for long-term energy storage enabling an increasing uptake of renewables in power generation, as well as aiding the de-carbonization of some of the harder-to-abate sectors (iron & steel, long-haul transport, heating, petrochemicals).
- Green hydrogen is set to emerge as a key pillar of the energy mix on a Net Zero Path with Policy, affordability and scalability converging to create unprecedented momentum for the Green hydrogen economy.
- H2 is the lightest and most abundant element in the universe. H2’s role in the energy ecosystem is not new and has a long history in transport and industrial applications, as a fuel since the 18th century. It is colourless, odourless, non-toxic, and highly combustible.
- Looking at the chemistry of the molecule, H2 is the lightest element in the universe, with the most common isotope (protium, which represents 99% of hydrogen in terms of abundance) having an atomic nucleus of just a single proton. Under standard, ambient conditions, hydrogen is a gas of diatomic molecules having the formula H2, consisting of two hydrogen atoms bonded together with a covalent bond.
- H2 is the most abundant chemical substance in the universe, constituting roughly 75% of all normal matter. Nonetheless, most of the hydrogen on Earth exists in molecular forms such as in water and in organic compounds (primarily hydrocarbons). As such, pure H2 requires energy processes to be produced in that form, leading to it being mostly considered an energy vector as opposed to an energy source.
- GH2 is poised to play an increasingly important role in the energy transition worldwide. Green hydrogen is expected to facilitate the decarbonisation of “hard-to decarbonise” sectors such as steel production, shipping, and the production of chemical feedstocks. Grey and blue hydrogen (i.e., hydrogen derived from fossil fuels) currently dominate the global market. However, GH2 based on electricity produced from renewable energy (RE) sources is needed to reach global net zero targets.
How is GH2 made?
Water electrolysis
Electrolysis involves electric current through H2O to separate H2 and O2 and GH2 with electricity from Solar and Wind farms. To turn it into energy, hydrogen is channeled into a fuel cell, where it binds with oxygen from the air to produce electricity. Thus, the only by-product of the process is water, resulting in a clean and sustainable system in which zero CO₂ is emitted to produce energy.
Benefits
- It is a clean energy: The only waste it generates is water.
- It is a renewable energy: It uses natural resources that are not exhausted.
- It is storable: Green hydrogen can be compressed and stored in ad hoc tanks for a long time.
- It is transportable: As a very light element, compressed hydrogen tanks allow easier handling than lithium batteries facilitating long distance transport.
Disadvantages
- Difficult to handle and store safely: needs to be cooled to -253 °C to turn into liquid hydrogen, compressed to about 300 bar to be able to have enough hydrogen onboard.
- Green hydrogen is a relatively expensive fuel as compared to conventional alternatives; however, the increasing penetration of renewable energy in power generation, technological and cost improvements in electrolyzer technology, and carbon pricing collectively have the potential to substantively alter this dynamic.
GH2 needs to move from niche to mainstream by 2030
Green hydrogen is attracting increasing interest globally and in developed and developing economies alike as a solution alongside the growing penetration of renewable energies to advance the energy transition towards net zero emissions.
Offshore Hydrogen
- Main objective in energy conversion offshore is high reliability and cost effectiveness. Design decisions are a fine balance between Operational Expenditure (OPEX) requirements and CAPEX requirements.
- Hydrogen will play a role in future energy storage and transport. The generation of hydrogen offshore will provide the best combination of energy generation, storage and ultimately transport to the users.
Value chain
A complete value chain for green hydrogen through production hubs and infrastructure for distribution and product delivery
GH2 Transportation
- Investments toward the production of green hydrogen are growing rapidly worldwide. A growing number of jurisdictions are starting to adopt plans to make sure that new natural gas infrastructure, for instance, is “hydrogen-ready” while dozens of hydrogen production facilities are emerging world wide.
- Hydrogen storage can be distributed continuously in pipelines or batch wise by ships, trucks, railway or airplanes. All batch transportation requires a storage system, with pipelines also doubling up as storage.
GH2 as a fuel source