The planet faces an increasing threat from climate change and global warming. If current emission reduction policies do not improve, the temperature will rise by at least 3 degrees Celsius during this century. Hope lies in the use of renewable energies, particularly green hydrogen, a key piece in the puzzle of the global energy transition.
What is Green Hydrogen and why is it so important?
Green hydrogen is one of the components of water (the other is oxygen) and is also the most abundant chemical element in the universe. When separated from oxygen through a process called electrolysis, it can be used as a replacement for fossil fuels. Green hydrogen offers several significant advantages. Firstly, it stands out as a clean energy source because its production process only emits water vapour, without generating carbon dioxide. Additionally, its availability is practically unlimited; it can be produced anywhere and continuously. A notable feature is its large-scale storage capability, setting it apart from other renewable sources like solar or wind energy, which are more intermittent. It is a durable and reliable option for supplying energy during times of high demand.
A criver of change
Green hydrogen is used in a variety of applications, mainly as fuel in various modes of transport, including trucks, cars, aeroplanes, trains, and ships. It is also employed as an electricity source in both domestic and industrial settings. Moreover, it can be used as a raw material in some industries, demonstrating its versatility and potential to drive the economy sustainably.
Why hasn’t it developed significantly yet?
Firstly, it is very costly: generating it requires a lot of electricity. Secondly, it needs adequate infrastructure for its transport and storage, which involves significant investments. However, its potential is so great that many places around the world have begun to produce it. In Germany, green hydrogen is being used to power trains, while in Japan, projects are underway to use green hydrogen for electricity generation. In the Netherlands, a green hydrogen plant is being constructed that will use wind energy to produce hydrogen for transport and industry.
Companies like Siemens and Verano Energy are collaborating on an ambitious project in southern Chile, which includes four huge renewable hydrogen production facilities, each with a capacity of 2.5 GW. These facilities are expected to be operational by 2027, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of green energy in the region.
In Europe, Air Liquide and Total Energies are undertaking a large-scale joint project. Their goal is to establish an extensive network of green hydrogen refuelling stations for trucks and heavy vehicles in countries like France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Other companies, such as Toyota and Hyundai, are driving innovations from the manufacture of electrolysers to the design of hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles.
South African mining company Anglo American has launched the nuGen™, a gigantic 510-tonne truck powered exclusively by green hydrogen.
Technologies Serving Sustainability
The production of green hydrogen not only depends on financial commitments from companies and governmental support but also relies on the application of cutting-edge technologies that play a crucial role in enabling more efficient and sustainable processes.
For example, proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers, solid oxide electrolysers (SOEC), regenerative fuel cells, and new techniques like photocatalysis and bio-photolysis are technologies increasingly used by companies.
Other emerging tools such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, data analytics, and robotics also play a key role in monitoring, controlling, optimising, and auditing the entire production process, from the input of renewable energies to the output of green hydrogen, maximising efficiency, sustainability, and profitability.
Green Hope
The large-scale production of hydrogen is probably one of the bigest challenges facing the nations on our planet.
According to a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the World Trade Organization, green hydrogen and its derivatives are expected to meet 14% of the world’s final energy demand by 2050, helping to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees.
To achieve this, the total production of hydrogen must increase more than fivefold from current levels by 2050.
There is no time to lose; green hydrogen represents a unique opportunity to decarbonise entire sectors of the economy and mitigate the environmental risks the planet faces.
About United VARs
United VARs is a global alliance of SAP implementation partners and solution providers for the mid-market. With over 70 members in 100 countries, the alliance serves all types of SAP rollouts and integrations across the world. The organization provides businesses with local expertise ‘on the ground’ charged at local rates. All United VARs members work together as one team to provide a more personalized service than other global systems integrators can, and one that is better suited to mid-market budgets.
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