In the news: Rising hydrogen

Hydrogen as a more sustainable source of energy is on the agenda for many, including Shell
by Bethan Rees

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On 14 July, the European Commission (EC) unveiled its so-called ‘Fit for 55’ package of energy and climate laws aimed at reaching the EU’s 2030 goal of cutting emissions by 55% to be on track for a net zero carbon economy by 2050.

In an article for H2 View, George Heynes writes that Hydrogen Europe, the European hydrogen and fuel cell association, believe that the Fit for 55 package must be "a fit for purpose framework that delivers an effective and future-proof achievement of the EU’s climate targets".

Hydrogen Europe also suggests that developing ‘clean’ hydrogen – producing hydrogen from renewable energy or natural gas with carbon capture – is important for the package to be a success. It also believes that the fast development of hydrogen is important for "preserving and enhancing the EU’s industrial and economic competitiveness", says Heynes.

The EC’s package proves that "hydrogen is moving from an afterthought to a central pillar of the energy system", writes Heynes.

Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, secretary general of Hydrogen Europe, is quoted in the article: "Time is precious for the EU to reach its ambitious emission reduction objectives in just ten years … It must start walking the talk now, and hydrogen gives the Fit for 55 initiatives a major push to achieve the EU’s climate objectives on time."

H2 View article 

Oil giant to join clean hydrogen project

Multinational oil and gas company Shell is to join a clean hydrogen project in Norway, producing hydrogen from natural gas and capturing the carbon dioxide emissions, according to energy company Aker Clean Hydrogen (ACH), as reported by Nerijus Adomaitis for Reuters. Shell aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.

Shell, along with ACH and Norwegian infrastructure investor CapeOmega, has signed a memorandum of understanding to build a clean hydrogen production facility in Norway. According to ACH, this clean hydrogen could be used for emissions-free fuel for vehicles and ships and to decarbonise local industries. The natural gas used for the project will be supplied from the Nyhamna gas processing plant nearby.

Reuters article

Turning grey to green

Some in the energy sector are sceptical about the uses of hydrogen. Francesco Starace, CEO of Enel Group, one of Europe’s largest power companies, says that using hydrogen for heating or transport is "nonsense", according to Leigh Collins for Recharge.

In the interview with Recharge, Starace says that it’s those with a vested interest in fossil fuel infrastructure that are in favour of using hydrogen in such a way, and that we should focus on turning grey hydrogen (hydrogen made from natural gas produced through coal) to green hydrogen (made from renewable energy sources with no carbon dioxide emitted).

Starace says we need to "make green hydrogen competitive with present carbon-intensive [grey] hydrogen", and to do that we should work on the development of the electrolyser industry, which is currently a "super niche, luxury place". If this can be done by 2030, then there will be a competitive green hydrogen, and at that point, green hydrogen can be a substitute for grey hydrogen, Starace explains.

He says that in Europe the consumption of hydrogen is roughly 20 million tonnes per year and the carbon dioxide footprint of that is 250 million tonnes per year, so by replacing grey hydrogen with green, "you do a lot", he says.

He explains that 50kWh "would enable a fuel-cell car to travel 80–90km", compared to 250km on 50kWh in an electric car, so it would be "stupid" to "put this stuff into hydrogen just because someone wants to use some pipes to move it".

Recharge article 

Seen a blog, news story or discussion online that you think might interest CISI members? Email bethan.rees@wardour.co.uk.
Published: 16 Jul 2021
Categories:
  • International regulation
Tags:
  • climate change
  • global energy transition
  • fossil fuels
  • net zero carbon economy
  • ESG
  • hydrogen

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