Hydrogen offers the possibility of breaking our dependence on fossil fuels, highlighted by the war in Ukraine, and of achieving climate objectives. Hydrogen can reduce CO emissions2 industry and transport. Thus, this energy with multiple virtues seems to be the solution for the decarbonization of our societies.
Can the climate crisis we are going through be mitigated by the use of green hydrogen, that is to say produced by renewable energies such as wind turbines and solar panels? In this case, the only emission would be drinking water!
Supporters of green hydrogen are convinced that this energy will put an end to our dependence on fossil fuels (gas, oil) and help us in the transition to a zero-emission world. This particularly concerns heavy industries such as steel and cement. The fuel cell could thus become the rule for cars and trucks.
At the same time, it will be possible to reduce emissions thanks to so-called blue hydrogen, that is to say made from natural gas, but whose CO2 is captured during the production phase.
Achieving climate goals
Hydrogen is at the center of all attention, whether at the industrial level or at the political level. Many states hope to make it play a key, driving role in achieving the zero emissions objective by 2050.
The technological leap already allows less expensive electrolysis while electricity produced by wind, sun and water is much more available than a few years ago. The production of green hydrogen is truly transforming the energy market.
Simon Bennett, technology analyst at the International Energy Agency (IEA), explains: “Hydrogen is an important solution alongside renewable energy and electrification. The climate targets have really changed things. We need hydrogen to achieve our climate goals. And we need to increase our commitment and investments today. This will allow us to have sufficient hydrogen capacity when we need it most, that is to say in the near future. »
An opinion shared by Antti Pohjoranta, technology manager for renewable hydrogen at the Finnish company Neste: “We need hydrogen to achieve our climate objectives. And we need to increase our commitment and investments today.”
At its refinery in Porvoo, Finland, Neste is developing its first industrial complex powered by green hydrogen. The Sustainable Hydrogen & Recovery Carbon (SHARC) project works with water electrolysis for the production of renewable hydrogen and the capture and storage of carbon from the production of blue or gray hydrogen. The objective is to reduce CO emissions2 of four million tonnes over ten years.
“We need action, and we need to act more quickly, but it will take time before the technical and financial risks are well managed. These risks can be minimized gradually by improving technologies and supporting the industry. This is exactly what Neste does,” said Antti Pohjoranta.
Key sectors
Today, hydrogen is mainly used in oil refining and the production of fertilizers. Hydrogen demand for the industrial sector has more than tripled since 1975, according to the IEA’s “The Future of Hydrogen” report.
Because of this exploding demand, the production of gray hydrogen (from gas) and brown or black hydrogen (from coal) accounts for 830 million tonnes of CO2 per year, or around 35% of greenhouse gases (GHG).
To reduce these alarming emissions, many countries such as Canada, Australia, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom are investing heavily in technologies for the production of blue hydrogen. In the long term, the use of green hydrogen will significantly reduce emissions.
But hydrogen will also have beneficial impacts in other sectors:
• industries with high CO emissions2 which consume a lot of coal such as metallurgical industries, steelworks and cement plants;
• the transport of goods by trucks, boats, but also travel by car and plane;
• the storage and transport of hydrogen in areas that do not have renewable energy.
The automobile industry has already begun its hydrogen shift. Whether we think of Toyota and its Mirai, or Hyundai and its ix.35, for example.
However, manufacturers face two pitfalls: very high prices and the lack of stations. In 2021, the “Global Market for Hydrogen Fueling Station” study published by the Information Trends firm counted 600 hydrogen service stations across the world (compared to 432 at the end of 2019). The study indicated, however, that the number of stations would be sufficient in Western Europe, China, Japan, South Korea and the United States by 2035.
But it is in aviation (freight and long-distance passenger transport) that hydrogen seems to have a bright future. If the range and weight of batteries pose a problem, many are turning to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) made from hydrogen combined with carbon itself produced from CO emissions2 captured. This energy, called e‑SAF, can be injected into existing aircraft with few modifications, because it is chemically close to current kerosene.
Many analysts believe that hydrogen is actually a bubble that could burst. But the IEA’s Simon Bennett says a bubble is necessary to consolidate an industry and it is essential to inject capital to see what works and what doesn’t.
Hydrogen is part of the equation leading to a zero-emission world. This does not mean that the entire economy will be based on hydrogen, but that this energy will play an increasingly large role in a multitude of sectors.
