Green hydrogen has become an essential part of the energy transition to ensure a sustainable future. Falling hydrogen production costs through renewable energy have given hydrogen an unprecedented boost.
GREEN HYDROGEN HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MAIN PILLARS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION’S RECOVERY FUNDS
Energy transition is one of the axes of this recovery, with 30% of the budget allocated to the fight against climate change. And it is here that green hydrogen has begun to gain ground, growing in interest and positioning itself in the public debate as one of the fundamental pillars for the decarbonization of the economy, one of the objectives that countries around the world have set themselves for 2050. To achieve this, green hydrogen is one of the keys.
Hydrogen is the simplest and most abundant chemical element in nature, consisting of one proton and one electron. In the case of green hydrogen, it is an energy carrier that allows you to move energy from one place to another, in this case, through water, using renewable energies
To produce green hydrogen, no carbon dioxide is used or emitted, which is why its global demand as a fuel has tripled since 1975, as noted by the IEA (International Energy Agency), reaching 70 million tons per year in 2018. It is a clean energy source that only emits water vapor and leaves no residues in the air, unlike coal and oil.
In addition, it has multiple uses, ranging from power generation for industries such as metallurgy and chemistry, to energy, residential and transportation uses.
Industry: The industrial sector is the one that consumes the most fossil hydrogen, for this reason, the progressive implementation of green hydrogen is driving an industrial reconversion in both the public and private sectors.
Transportation: It is used as a fuel. Hydrogen ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles are 30% more efficient compared to gasoline vehicles, and perform well in all weather conditions, even at low temperatures. Many cities are already implementing the use of this fuel in their public transport network.
Energy: Hydrogen can be used to generate electricity through fuel cells and to be injected into the natural gas grid, a practice that significantly reduces emissions from heating systems.
Residential: There are hydrogen micro-cogeneration systems that are capable of providing electricity and heat to homes. It is very convenient and practical as it can be transported and stored without additional investments and taking advantage of the existing gas infrastructure.
In Spain, the Climate Change and Energy Transition Law includes a strong commitment to this energy, as well as a project for a macro green hydrogen transport network from Spain to northern Europe (Green Spider Project).
Green hydrogen is here to stay and the Spanish government and the European Union are clearly committed to this energy. Its promotion is vital to achieve, among other things, the climate commitments of the Paris Agreement and the zero emissions targets required by the climate emergency.
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