Prof. Dr. Zahir Fikri’s Post

Pump up the volume: Hydrogen hits the big time. By HYDROGEN FUEL NEWS Shifting to mass production is key to producing competitive renewable hydrogen. Partnering with Air Liquide, Siemens Energy is scaling production of electrolyzers using standardization and automation aiming to cut the cost of renewable hydrogen down to size. It’s a development that sits at the heart of the energy transition. Hydrogen has a key role to play on the road to net zero. Acting as an energy vector, a storage medium, a raw material for synthetic liquid fuels, and as a gaseous fuel able to address emissions from some of the hardest to abate industrial sectors like steel, chemicals, heavy transport and power generation, hydrogen is vital. Unfortunately, so-called green hydrogen generated using renewable energy is currently too expensive to produce. For this reason, the hydrogen market today is dominated by steam reformation of natural gas, it’s essentially a fossil fuel. However, the imperative of climate change has been amplified by other factors such as security of energy supply concerns that have been greatly increased by the war in Ukraine, for example. This has emphasized the importance of developing a cost-effective renewable hydrogen industry and prompted an acceleration of the market. Despite the growing interest in renewable hydrogen, the cost has remained an impediment to widespread adoption and displacement of the fossil-fuel derived hydrogen that dominates the current market. The joint venture between Siemens Energy and Air Liquide aims to producing industrial volumes of green hydrogen available bringing economies of scale through the mass production of electrolyzers. The move will not only secure access to electrolyzer capacity but crucially get them at the right price without compromising on safety, quality, and reliability. https://lnkd.in/dqctUBKQ

Global Hydrogen Production Outlook and Progress on Low-Emission Goals International Energy Agency (IEA) hydrogen review 2023 📍Global hydrogen production was 95 million tonnes (Mt) in 2022, up 3% from 2021. 📍62% was from natural gas without CCUS, 21% from unabated coal, and 16% as a byproduct from industry. 📍Less than 1 Mt was low-emission hydrogen (<1% of total), mostly from fossil fuels with CCUS. Electrolysis production was under 100 kilotonnes but grew 35% year-over-year. 📍China accounted for 30% of global production, with over 70% of production in China, US, Middle East, India and Russia. 📍 Announced projects could increase low-emission hydrogen production to over 20 Mt by 2030, a 30% increase from projections a year ago. 📍Half this projected production is from projects at early feasibility stage. Currently only 4% is under construction or has final investment decision. 📍Over 70% of projected low-emission production is from electrolysis, but 55% of electrolyzer projects are early stage. 📍Efforts over coming years will be critical to realize projects by 2030. 📍 Europe and Australia account for about 50% of announced electrolyzer projects. Front runners are Spain, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands in Europe and Australia is leveraging renewables. 📍Announced fossil fuel with CCUS projects are primarily in the US and Europe. 📍Production from announced projects could meet over half of the low-emission hydrogen production of 70 Mt projected under the IEA's Net Zero Emissions Scenario by 2030. 📍A gap of 30 Mt remains, signalling the need to accelerate development. #hydrogen #renewableenergy #renewable #energy

Good summary of why (green/ low carbon)hydrogen is a practical solution to our energy emissions issues.

💧⚡ Why is hydrogen an inevitable solution to our energy crisis? 🏭 Hydrogen offers great potential to decarbonize energy-intensive industries like the steel and chemicals industry. Heavy manufacturing can also significantly reduce emissions by employing hydrogen as an energy source. Some countries even consider hydrogen as a power source for heating in private homes. 📊 According to some estimates, and considering the versatile ways in which hydrogen can be used, hydrogen could replace 14 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, 20 million tons of coal, and 360,000 barrels of oil per day - worldwide! 🚧 However, there are some challenges to be overcome with regard to the infrastructure for hydrogen. But there are already concrete proposed solutions for this: ➡️ European gas industry research indicates that the current gas pipeline networks can largely be repurposed for hydrogen transport. This could save up to 80 percent of the costs of building new ones. ➡️ Germany, Austria, and Italy are planning a 3,300 kilometre hydrogen pipeline connecting them to North Africa, while France and Spain are working on a pipeline connecting both states as well. ➡️ While the pipelines are in the planning stages, hydrogen is already being transported around the globe: in early 2022, the first liquid hydrogen shipment was completed between Australia and Japan. ➡️ To cut emissions in transport, shipping companies are ordering vessels powered by the hydrogen derivative, methanol, to ship liquid hydrogen emission-neutral. 🌍 We are convinced that renewable hydrogen is the solution to cut emissions in energy-intensive industries, which would significantly combat climate change. However, the hydrogen needs to be transported emission-neutral too. McKinsey estimates that by 2050, 60% of all hydrogen demands in the EU will necessitate long-distance transport. Our projects produce a range of hydrogen and derivative products, to help industries decarbonize with hydrogen and ensure emission-neutral transport with clean fuels like renewable methanol. 🔗 We recommend this article by Frank Umbach: https://lnkd.in/eBKzYQ3z #renewablehydrogen #hy2gen #green #energy #future

The global hydrogen economy is on the rise

https://lnkd.in/eM9aEDGf CLIMATE AND NATURE. Japan is a global leader in hydrogen technology development, largely due to its strategic emphasis on hydrogen as a next-generation energy source.Japanese companies are pioneering the application of hydrogen technology across various sectors, including steelmaking.Despite the optimistic outlook and advancements, Japan, like the rest of the world, faces challenges in making hydrogen energy economically viable. Hydrogen, largely expected to be the next-generation energy source, holds its greatest promise in generating electricity and heat without emitting carbon dioxide while being abundantly available in water and diverse sources, including fossil energy. Japan, where energy resources are limited, has led globally by formulating the Basic Hydrogen Strategy in 2017 and advancing the development of hydrogen-related technologies. According to a report released by the European Patent Office and the International Energy Agency, Japan accounted for 24% of hydrogen-related patent applications worldwide from 2011 to 2020, ranking top. The report stresses Japan’s position as an innovator in hydrogen with a technological advantage as it develops and applies new technologies ahead of the curve. Have you read?Unlocking hydrogen innovation: Paving the way for a sustainable futureYour guide to electrolysis: the tech behind the green hydrogen revolution Companies pioneering technological innovation In December 2023, Nippon Steel utilized hydrogen in steelmaking using blast furnaces, achieving a remarkable 33% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from the blast furnace itself, a world record. The company formed a consortium with JFE Steel, Kobe Steel and the Japan Research and Development Centre for Metals to scale up this technology further and jointly develop steelmaking technologies using hydrogen, such as directly reducing iron ore using hydrogen. Anticipating the growing demand for hydrogen in the future, Kawasaki Heavy Industries has been focusing on establishing an international hydrogen supply chain, recognizing that domestic manufacturing alone may not suffice. The company laid out this vision in 2010, aiming to produce large quantities of hydrogen utilizing competitively priced renewable energy and untapped resources overseas, transport it to Japan by ship and connect it for domestic use. This initiative was conceived when hydrogen as a fuel was not yet widely recognized worldwide.

Hydrogen Mission by few leading countries in world. India Green Hydrogen mission outcomes projected by 2030 are: Development of green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 MMT (Million Metric Tonne) per annum with an associated renewable energy capacity addition of about 125 GW in the country Over Rs. Eight lakh crore in total investments Creation of over Six lakh jobs China The central government positions hydrogen as a strategic emerging industry and plans to increase production of green hydrogen to between 100,000–200,000 tons per year by 2025. UAE The National Hydrogen Strategy 2050 aims to support low-carbon local industries, contribute to achieving climate neutrality and enhance the UAE’s position as one of the largest producers of hydrogen by 2031. The strategy will help accelerate the global hydrogen economy and scale up local hydrogen production to: 1.4 million tons per annum (mtpa) by 2031 (consisting of 1 mtpa of green hydrogen and 0.4 mtpa of blue hydrogen) 7.5 mtpa by 2040, and 15 mtpa by 2050. Saudi Arabia The country launched its National Hydrogen Strategy in 2020, with the aim of becoming a major exporter. Its Vision 2030 strategy set a target to generate 50% of the nation's electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030. The plan aims to produce 1.2 million tons of green hydrogen and to supply 10% of the global demand for hydrogen by 2030. Australia The Australian Government's goal is to become the major global player in the clean hydrogen field by 2030. The Green hydrogen strategy 2019 is under revision. Europe The European Commission's REPowerEU plan proposes that the EU should produce 10 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030, and import another 10 million tonnes. USA Increasing clean hydrogen production from nearly zero today to 10 MMT per year by 2030, 20 MMT per year by 2040, and 50 MMT per year by 2050.

India’s Hydrogen production will be incentivised The race to produce cheap green hydrogen has a new and serious competitor with India announcing a suite of green hydrogen plans. The Green Hydrogen Policy put out by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) envisages the production of 10 million tons of green hydrogen by 2030 with half of that being used as a substitute for fossil fuels in transport and in the hard to abate industrial sectors. The other 5 million tons would be earmarked for export. In mid-October the US Biden administration announced its national plans for green hydrogen, with a cost of about $50bn. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), clean hydrogen should account for roughly a tenth of total energy consumption by 2050, and an additional US$380 billion in hydrogen investment is needed by the end of this decade, on top of the $320 billion already announced. “The EU has understood the message,” Jorgo Chatzimarkakis the CEO of Hydrogen Europe, told Cosmos, “and it has set ambitious global clean hydrogen production targets, with projects stretching beyond the 27-country bloc’s borders.” India says its plan requires a whole-of-government approach. Accordingly an Empowered Group has been put in place to coordinate and financial incentives and programs are being developed by various departments . "Green hydrogen production incentives will start at $0.93c/kg in the first year, $0.75 c/kg in the second and $0.56 in the third and final year. #Electrolyser production incentives will be similarly graded down over five years."

The US Aims for Dramatic Cost Reduction in Clean Hydrogen: Big Implications for the Future of Energy -The US Department of Energy's (DOE) has set ambitious goals to slash the cost of clean hydrogen production. Their target? $2/kg by 2026 and a remarkable $1/kg by 2031 [U.S. Goal For Clean Hydrogen: $2/Kg By 2026, $1/Kg By 2031]. This is a game-changer for clean energy and could unlock widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cells in transportation and industry. -Currently, most hydrogen is produced from natural gas, a process that creates emissions (grey hydrogen). Clean hydrogen production methods, like electrolysis powered by renewables (green hydrogen), are more expensive. The DOE's plan focuses on these clean methods to achieve cost parity and environmental benefits. -Here's a breakdown of the key points: 1.Electrolysis: Splitting water with renewable energy is a promising approach, but currently pricier than traditional methods. The plan aims to bring these costs down through technological advancements and economies of scale. 2.Advanced Pathways: The plan explores innovative methods beyond electrolysis, like thermochemical and biological processes, for even more cost-effective clean hydrogen production. 3.Natural Gas with a Twist: The plan investigates capturing carbon emissions from natural gas conversion to hydrogen (blue hydrogen) and potentially achieving net-negative emissions with carbon storage. 4.Focus Beyond Production: The plan also addresses reducing the cost of electrolyzers and hydrogen fuel cell systems for heavy-duty transport, making clean hydrogen a more accessible solution.

The buzz around natural hydrogen – dubbed white or gold hydrogen – is gaining global momentum as a potential gamechanger in the hunt for cost-effective, low-carbon energy sources. Rystad Energy research shows that at the end of last year, 40 companies were searching for natural hydrogen deposits, up from just 10 in 2020. Currently, exploratory efforts are underway in Australia, the US, Spain, France, Albania, Colombia, South Korea and Canada. One of the most promising elements of white hydrogen is its cost advantage over other forms of hydrogen due to its natural occurrence. Grey hydrogen, produced from fossil fuels, costs less than $2 per kilogram (kg) of hydrogen on average, while green hydrogen, produced using renewable electricity, is currently more than three times pricier. The cost of renewable hydrogen is expected to come down as electrolyzer pricing falls in the coming years, and yet, white hydrogen would still be cheaper. At present, Canada-based producer Hydroma extracts white hydrogen at an estimated cost of $0.5 per kg. Depending on the deposit's depth and purity, projects in Spain and Australia aim for a cost of about $1 per kg, solidifying white hydrogen’s price competitiveness. In addition to the cost advantage, white hydrogen can also have a low carbon intensity. At a hydrogen content of 85% and minimal methane contamination, the carbon intensity is around 0.4 kg carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per kg hydrogen gas (H2) – including embodied emissions and hydrogen emissions. At 75% hydrogen and 22% methane, the intensity rises to 1.5 kg CO2e per kg H2. https://lnkd.in/eT-YnW-g