Monaco Hydrogen Alliance: a platform for the decarbonized future of mobility

Green Innovation. At a time of the European energy crisis, reinforced by the war in Ukraine, what are the promise and potential of green hydrogen?

John Rossant. If we can learn a lesson from this tragic war, it is the importance for Europe to plan for its energy independence. Green hydrogen is very promising in this context. Unlike oil, which can only be extracted in specific locations, green hydrogen is potentially everywhere, provided there is wind, sun or other renewable energy sources. The question of energy independence is, in fact, strategic. It requires reinventing energy markets, which I believe will happen soon.

Then we will see in the near future the appearance of new green energy giants, with energy mixes that include hydrogen among other options, such as India, Chile, North-West Saudi Arabia. , around the town of Neom; Namibia as well.

In what type of transport does green hydrogen offer its greatest promise?

Generally speaking, this concerns heavy transport (trains, maritime transport, heavy trucks), because batteries are not sufficient to electrify this type of transport. For light cars, the electric solution remains in my opinion the most effective deployable solution, even if there are very interesting hydrogen models.

And then the maritime sector is very promising with regard to this energy. Discussions about this are only just beginning. Freight represents 3% of global CO emissions₂. We must adopt a holistic perspective and consider the entire maritime transport value chain to be decarbonized. For example, 30 to 40 percent of all U.S. imports arrive in Los Angeles, where thousands of heavy-duty trucks, often powered by diesel, will transport them to their destination.

Monaco Hydrogen Alliance, and its event the Monaco Hydrogen Forum, which will take place in Monaco on November 21 and 22, 2022, will focus on innovation with the Monaco Prize for Innovation in Renewable Hydrogen and Transportation. What types of innovations can really accelerate this transition?

The world of hydrogen and green hydrogen needs innovation. Although research into electric batteries began several decades ago, this is not the case with fuel cells and hydrogen production processes. We are very close to concrete solutions to reduce the production price of renewable hydrogen – one of the first obstacles to its more widespread adoption, but we also need innovations in the transport and storage of hydrogen. This is why we launched the Monaco Prize for Innovation in Renewable Hydrogen and Transportation, applications for which are open until September 30.

Who can participate in the Forum?

We invite everyone interested to contact us in the coming weeks! We want our platform, in addition to highlighting the subject of renewable hydrogen and transport, to also be a place for bringing projects to fruition, so we favor decision-makers, regulators, operators and innovators for this first edition. .

For new products and processes to emerge, we try to encourage innovations. The main categories of the prize will be the production of hydrogen, fuel cells, transport, digitalization, new boat models.