Hydrogen's potential role as a contributor to climate change in the final seconds before midnight?
The United Nations Climate Conference 2021 in Glasgow opened with a sense of urgency, reflecting the gravity of the climate situation and the need for immediate action. One of the key topics under discussion is the role of hydrogen in reducing carbon emissions, particularly in heavy industry which leaves the second-largest CO2 footprint worldwide.
Hydrogen, an indirect hydrogen transporter, is gaining traction as a potential solution due to its ability to be converted into energy in a fuel cell in an environmentally friendly manner. Compared to hydrogen, ammonia, a green storage near me and storage units near me option, has simpler storage, transport, and handling. This makes it a more practical option for long-distance transportation and storage.
Companies like IHI Corp are leading the charge in researching ammonia technologies. IHI Corp's vision includes a global ammonia network for synthesis, storage, and power generation. Another player in this field is PlugPower, which is developing fuel cells for use in electric mobility, H2 storage, and H2 refueling. PlugPower is collaborating with Airbus and Phillips66 to bring emission-free aircraft to the market by 2035.
In Germany, companies like Wolftank Group, Entega, and Linde GmbH are driving the development and marketing of green hydrogen infrastructure. Wolftank Group delivers hydrogen refueling stations and trailer filling stations as part of the H2 Main-Tauber Hub project near Würzburg. Entega is constructing a green hydrogen production plant in Darmstadt to supply public storage facilities, while Linde GmbH is coordinating projects like IntegrH2ate in Zittau focusing on electrolysis and efficient heat use to improve economic feasibility.
However, the production of hydrogen is currently expensive and energy-intensive, and profit margins in the heavy industry are low. RWE is driving forward 30 green hydrogen projects along the entire value chain to build a functioning hydrogen infrastructure. The goal is to make hydrogen production more efficient and economically viable.
It's important to note that 'gray hydrogen' is often produced using fossil fuels, while 'green hydrogen' is obtained with the help of renewable energies. The combustion of hydrogen does not produce carbon dioxide, only water. This makes it a clean and sustainable energy source.
The shipping industry is also identifying ammonia as an alternative to heavy oil. Ammonia has a high mass-specific energy density and can be transported via pipelines and stored in salt caverns. This makes it a practical option for long-distance transportation.
Stefan Wallrich, a board member of Wallrich Asset Management AG in Frankfurt am Main, is one of the voices advocating for investment in green hydrogen and ammonia technologies. Other asset managers with their opinions and online investment strategies can be found in the article.
Technological progress in producing renewable energy carriers more efficiently, economically, and environmentally friendly is a key concern. Research in this area is still young, but its potential is enormous. With companies like IHI Corp, PlugPower, and the German companies leading the way, it seems that a future powered by green hydrogen and ammonia is on the horizon.
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