HYDROGEN HUB

To produce hydrogen, energy sources are required, which is why we propose cooperation in accessing zero-emission energy that guarantees classifying hydrogen as “green.” We collaborate on several projects aimed at building the entire value chain of green hydrogen.

Hydrogen is the simplest chemical element in the periodic table, with the symbol H and atomic number 1, meaning it has only one proton in its nucleus. It is also the lightest of all chemical elements, existing in a gaseous state at standard temperature and pressure (0°C and 1 atm) and is about 14 times lighter than air. Hydrogen is highly chemically reactive, forming numerous chemical compounds, including water (H2O) in reaction with oxygen and organic compounds in reactions with other elements and compounds. Hydrogen can be effectively used in various sectors as it is a high-energy fuel (33 kWh/kg), making it a significant competitor to battery technologies.

Comparing hydrogen directly with batteries, where their energy density ranges around 250-260 Wh/kg, hydrogen, as a leader, has about 125 times greater energy density per 1 kg. Introducing hydrogen as a technology will allow for a smooth reduction in the economy’s emission intensity. Continual efforts are made worldwide to find new alternatives for climate-neutral technology development. The European Union has set a goal to achieve complete climate neutrality by 2050; capturing and storing the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere. This is a very achievable goal, considering how rapidly technology develops today, with effective and successful technologies being implemented immediately.

Hydrogen finds its application in transport, industry, and energy. As an energy carrier, hydrogen can store a large amount (33 kWh/kg). Where battery technologies fail, such as covering long-term shortages of electricity in the transmission system, hydrogen proves to be an ideal alternative. Stored hydrogen, whether in storage tanks or the gas system, can then be converted back into electricity in combination with oxygen using fuel cell technology.

Hydrogen is becoming a very optimistic solution to the problems of the new “New Green Deal” climate policy and the growing aspirations to use only green energy and eliminate fossil fuels completely. Hydrogen can play a significant role in the new energy policy as a green and sustainable energy source, contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, diversifying energy sources, and developing modern technologies.

Below are some aspects where hydrogen can be incorporated into the new energy policy:

• Hydrogen Fuel: Hydrogen can be used as a hydrogen fuel in fuel cells, which generate electricity through the electrochemical oxidation of hydrogen. Fuel cells are efficient, effective, and produce only pure water as a byproduct, making them environmentally friendly. Implementing hydrogen vehicles and hydrogen production and distribution infrastructure can help reduce CO2 emissions in transport.
• Energy Storage: Hydrogen can serve as an energy carrier, allowing for the storage of excess electricity from renewable sources like solar and wind. Hydrogen can be produced during periods of excess energy and later used to generate electricity during shortages, aiding in the balanced use of renewable energy sources.
• Decarbonizing Industry: Hydrogen can be used in industrial processes, such as steel and ammonia production, to replace conventional hydrogen sources based on fossil fuels. This “green” hydrogen can help reduce CO2 emissions from the industrial sector.
• Public Transport: Hydrogen can be used in public transport vehicles, such as buses, trains, and hydrogen taxis. Promoting the development and implementation of these vehicles can contribute to emissions reduction in the transport sector.
• Research and Development: Investment in research and development related to hydrogen is key to developing new hydrogen production, storage, and usage technologies. The new energy policy can support research projects and innovations related to hydrogen.

Low-emission hydrogen will be useful in a low-carbon dioxide emission world as an energy carrier and when end uses are too difficult or expensive to electrify. Given this, hydrogen plays a key role in modeled scenarios of a zero-emission future.

Countries are planning pathways to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions, relying on clean hydrogen, leading to growing interest in investments worldwide. Potential producers see economic opportunities in exporting clean hydrogen. Potential consumers see benefits in decarbonization and energy security. However, globally, interest is only beginning to translate into investments.

Regional innovation clusters, typically involving universities, laboratories, research parks, incubators, and manufacturing centers, have long supported economic growth, job creation, and competitiveness. Concentrating innovative activity geographically, even in a common center or research park, can facilitate collaboration and information exchange among scientists, engineers, and companies. With the right incentives, it’s possible to coordinate their research efforts so they share expensive equipment and provide complementary resources.

A hydrogen hub is a major user of green hydrogen that will utilize renewable electricity from the grid to generate adequate supplies of green hydrogen through an electrolyzer and store this hydrogen in high-pressure tanks. The storage can serve several functions:

• The electrolyzer can be sized based on average demand rather than peak demand,
• Storing potentially separates production and use, allowing the electrolyzer to use the cheapest renewable electricity for the former when it’s available,
• Stored hydrogen can be used as a backup in case of a power supply interruption.

The electrolyzer, storage, and primary application will need to be optimized for the most economically advantageous.

In addition to meeting the primary application of the main user, a hydrogen hub can provide hydrogen to applications of nearby, smaller users and profit from it.

A hydrogen hub encompasses all the infrastructure needed for hydrogen production, including:

• Hydrogen production installation – electrolyzers,
• Logistic infrastructure, distribution infrastructure.

The size and type of installations that make up hubs depend on the hydrogen source.