Q1 2021

Archive / Current Issue

Special Focus: Advances in Hydrogen Technology

Hydrogen economy offers low-emissions fuel to combat air pollution

The air quality indexes (AQIs) and particulate matter (PM) concentrations in many fast-developing countries and regions are climbing to high levels that are considered extremely hazardous to public health and the environment.

Advanced precooling for optimized hydrogen liquefaction

Meeting net carbon-neutral targets by 2050 requires new clean energy sources. Hydrogen can be produced as a zero-carbon fuel and will be a major contributor to meeting this objective.

Advances in chemical carriers for H2

Is hydrogen the fuel of the future? This most-abundant element in the universe has, for many years, played a key role in the international space program and in more down-to-earth applications for refinery upgrading and chemicals production, such as methanol and ammonia.

Columns

H2Tech: A working technical journal for the hydrogen community

Welcome to the inaugural issue of H2Tech! Designed as a working technical journal for engineers and business professionals involved in fuel, industrial and chemical applications for hydrogen, H2Tech keeps readers abreast of new developments in this fast-growing sector.

Expanding low-carbon H2 use in European industry

As part of the EU’s Strategy for Energy System Integration under the European Green Deal, low-carbon H2 is being promoted as a solution for those sectors where electrification is difficult.

Executive Viewpoint: Blue H2’s role in the energy transition

H2Tech sat down with Deepak Bawa, Director of Project Development–LNG and Hydrogen Projects for New Fortress Energy, to discuss the roles of blue and green H2 in the energy transition, as well as how blue H2 both complements and competes with the natural gas midstream sector.

Infrastructure and Distribution

Tackling flow measurement challenges for hydrogen fuels

Hydrogen is recognized as playing a crucial role in global net-zero carbon targets, through its potential use in vehicles and in domestic heating. This is because H2 contains no carbon, so when used in a fuel cell or combustion engine its only product is water vapor. However, due to the low abundance of elemental H2 in the earth’s atmosphere, H2 must be first produced before it can be used as a fuel.

Safety and Sustainability

H2 fuel risk assessment and differing views of ignitability

Hydrogen is being contemplated or implemented as an alternative fuel in several parts of the world. Creating a large-scale infrastructure for H2 fuels requires an objective assessment of the associated risks. Such an assessment requires consideration of the probability of ignition of potential releases in a variety of storage, loading and fueling situations.

Measurement and Instrumentation

MEMS-based H2 sensors improve measurement accuracy and safety

Hydrogen, more specifically green H2, is being used increasingly across the world for a wide range of industrial applications. In the U.S., forecasters predict that H2 from low-carbon sources could supply roughly 14% of the country’s energy needs by 2050, including hard-to-electrify sectors now dependent on natural gas, such as high-heat industrial processes and manufacturing fertilizer.

Trends

Global Projects Data

Gulf Energy Information’s Global Energy Infrastructure (GEI) Database and Construction Boxscore Database are tracking 268 active and operating carbon-neutral and low-carbon H2 production and utilization projects around the world.

Hydrogen Economist

Offshore wind could power Scottish green hydrogen revolution

Floating offshore windfarms could utilise huge untapped resource and make Scotland a major player in the northern European hydrogen economy

Ballard: Fresh capital is critical for green H2

Ballard Power Systems is looking to ramp up investments in key product areas, while acknowledging that cost reduction is going to be crucial to getting investors onboard for future development

Black Horse H2 truck network plan scaled back

Originally slated to involve the four central European Visegrad Group countries, the project is now focused on the Czech Republic and Slovakia where interest is strongest

Contracts for difference key to hydrogen economy

If financial instruments are not established to support adoption, the hydrogen supply chain will stall

Plug Power poised for international expansion

Andy Marsh, CEO of the US fuel cell producer, wants to continue expansion through more partnerships and acquisitions during 2021

Mass market for H2 could arrive within ten years—Baker Hughes AM 2021

Energy technology company says it is essential to prepare now for expected boom

Rebranded Channoil Energy enters H2 advisory

Net-Zero-Solution lead Vincent Couffon talks to Hydrogen Economist about opportunities for IOCs in the H2 economy

Air Liquide completes world’s largest electrolyser

The French firm made a strategic shift to low-carbon hydrogen and is engaged in several large-scale projects around the world

First ever H2 investment fund set for launch

Co-founder of London-based HydrogenOne Capital says firm will in the ‘near term’ provide investors with opportunities in clean hydrogen and storage

Hydrogen advances mean green steel on the horizon

Steelmakers have been successfully operating hydrogen-based pilot projects in the hard-to-abate sector and expect decarbonised steel to be on the market by mid-decade

EU injects energy into Rabat’s green hydrogen drive

Morocco’s renewables potential means it stands to gain hugely from soaring European interest in the clean fuel

Axpo to build green hydrogen business

Swiss utility is creating new departments for hydrogen and batteries to complement its solar and wind activity

Denver startup aims to begin hydrogen mining in 2021

Natural Hydrogen Energy CEO believes extracting hydrogen from the earth’s crust could become the cheapest, least energy-intensive commercial source of hydrogen

Renewable hydrogen could achieve cost-parity by 2028

Hydrogen Council cautions that this would be possible only if capital were found to bridge large funding gap

Netherlands to widen state support options for hydrogen

In its quest to become a hub for northwest European hydrogen, the Netherlands is assessing new ways to give the nascent industry a boost

UK pressed to pivot to green hydrogen

Policy should focus on securing greatest competitive advantage and establishing climate leadership—rather than finding a use for legacy North Sea assets—thinktank E3G warns

Covid-19 fiscal crunch could slow growth of green H2

Important parts of the renewable hydrogen economy will not reach competitive scale if governments pull back from providing promised support

Netherlands assesses hydrogen-wind joint tenders

Dutch investigate whether joint tenders would help balance grid, boost green hydrogen production and aid their ambition to be northwest Europe’s hydrogen hub

Hydrogen will be the new normal

Converting gas infrastructure to utilise low-carbon hydrogen will be essential to meet net-zero targets

Germany breaks ground on world’s largest green H2 storage facility

Hydrogenious is building an 1,800t/yr plant to store green hydrogen using liquid oils and is already eyeing exports to Rotterdam

Stormy weather ahead for energy transition M&A

Strategic M&A deals are always fraught with risk, and there will be too many oil and gas companies chasing too few transition-focused targets

Tech pipeline to see green H2 costs tumble—CeraWeek

Electrolyser improvements may soon reduce costs to a level competitive with natural gas-based hydrogen—and high-temperature methods show promise for future

Ballard’s future bright despite tough 2020

Fuel cell manufacturer extended losses due to the pandemic but has recently signed a heavy-duty railroad deal

Mining companies eyeing green hydrogen

At remote locations, hydrogen produced using electrolysers could be competitive with transporting in diesel

Engie and Equinor partner on blue H2

European energy companies to explore supply chains

Is the Middle East the key to Japan’s ‘hydrogen society’?

Without the ability to generate low-carbon hydrogen for the foreseeable future, the Asian nation needs a strategic partner to turn its ambitious plans into reality

ITM Power revenue fall spooks investors

Electrolyser manufacturer says production suffered due to Covid-19, but the problem is only temporary

Vopak picks hydrogen over oil for growth strategy

Dutch commodity storage company expects hydrogen to become a globally traded commodity and wants to use its presence in global trading hubs to tap the growing market

Financing hydrogen projects brings unique challenges

Hydrogen projects need bankable offtake schemes, with ammonia, refining and mobility projects offering the most promise

Amsterdam latest port to mull green hydrogen imports

The port has partnered with storage company Evos and three hydrogen technology firms to import and potentially re-export green hydrogen

Proton Motor seeks growth through joint ventures

German manufacturer Proton Motor Fuel Cell sets its sights even higher after a strong year of building partnerships with companies such as Shell

Nel’s alkaline production line set for test run

Norwegian manufacturer’s CEO says it is too early to predict whether alkaline or PEM electrolysers will ultimately prevail

Fuel cell heavy duty mobility could be cost-competitive in two years—WHS

Hydrogen vehicles and vessels on ‘credible pathway’ to cost crossover point

The Hydrogen Projects Playbook

Welcome to the new Hydrogen Projects Playbook newsletter from Hydrogen Economist & Global Energy Infrastructure, part of the Gulf Energy Information group.

ITM Power on track for global scale

CEO Graham Cooley says scale and costs are now the focus for UK-based ITM Power, following the opening of the world’s biggest electrolyser factory

Sasol stakes its survival on coal replacement and green H2

The South African company—which makes synthetic fuels from coal—is struggling to survive in a low-carbon world

Hydrogen ‘too early’ for mainstream investment

Investors are embracing low-carbon energy, but is it too soon for them to invest in the hydrogen economy?

CC(U)S—Spotting problems in the pipeline

Even though the carbon capture sector is only just taking off, those thinking about getting involved need to consider the costs of decommissioning

Haulage bosses cautiously welcome EU H2 plan

Truckers are receptive to diesel alternatives, but costs and regulatory uncertainty could deter adoption ahead of LNG and CNG vehicles

Synthetic jet fuel race set for take-off

Repsol and others see synthetic fuel as the most viable long-term alternative to kerosene, but state support is vital

Aker launches green H2 platform investment

Aker Clean Hydrogen is working on nine projects including one in Chile with Mainstream Renewable Power

Hydrogen to be key component of UKCS decarbonisation

State to contribute towards £10bn investment in hydrogen production, reaffirming commitment to sector

China prepares multi-pronged hydrogen strategy

The 14th Five-Year Plan is expected to set targets for advancing technology and production volumes, with the aim of reducing carbon emissions and costs

RWE calls for clarity on hydrogen transport

German utility warns state plans to regulate gas and H2 networks separately will hinder integration

Canada’s very blue hydrogen roadmap

The strategy has attracted support from Alberta, but only anger from environmental groups

Anglo American leads the green hydrogen mining pack

Locally produced green hydrogen could be a cheaper fuel source than diesel at remote mine locations

Accelerating the hydrogen timeline

Ambitions for hydrogen are high and further elevated by every net-zero announcement. But policies and partnerships will be needed to significantly speed up development

ExxonMobil launches Low Carbon Solutions business

Major aims to commercialise emission-reduction technology, with an initial focus on extending its involvement in CCS

EU nations set out diverse H2 strategies—WHS

Ministers from Portugal, Denmark and Poland outline hydrogen strategies based on national energy endowments

Oman and India find hydrogen common ground

The sultanate’s pitch to international clean fuel investors has been heard by the energy-thirsty Asian behemoth

Defiant Nikola vows to bounce back

The founding CEO quit the hydrogen fuel cell truck maker amid claims of fraud, but development work continues and it claims its first vehicles will roll off the production line in Q4

Oman plays decarbonisation catch-up

The sultanate is in the early days of a belated push into hydrogen

Plumbing the hydrogen economy

Baker Hughes has made a strategic investment in manufacturing products that facilitate the transport of hydrogen and other energy transition-related gases

Q13a hydrogen pilot a clear vision of the energy transition—Neptune

Offshore electrolyser will integrate into existing infrastructure with both the upstream windfarm and downstream industrial and domestic customers in sight

California’s H2 vehicle market swayed by countervailing forces

New state funding should help fuel-cell vehicles reduce the huge sales gap with battery electric equivalents—if national tax credits are reinstated

Interactive Hydrogen Dashboard set for launch

PE Media Network and ExxonMobil are set to launch world’s first comprehensive online visual data resource for H2 projects

Airbus bets billions on hydrogen-powered planes

European manufacturer has touted various potential short- and medium-range designs, but the simplest and smallest seem most viable amid technological and demand uncertainty

Estonia’s Elcogen to construct solid oxide fuel cell factory

The nascent high-temperature hydrogen fuel cell technology is most likely to gain a foothold in industrial applications

Hyzon Motors set to merge, ahead of listing

New York fuel cell vehicle company has secured finance for ambitious expansion programme

Adnoc and Aramco lead Gulf NOCs’ blue hydrogen drive

The Gulf heavyweights are investing heavily in expanding their hydrogen capabilities as they complete the carbon economy circle

Hydrogen Economist looks at the new hydrogen projects added to our database and the progress made on existing developments

Hydrogen Economist looks at the new projects added to our database and the progress made on existing developments

Vopak targets leading role in global hydrogen trade

Commodity storage company has up to €350mn available to invest in hydrogen projects this year as it pursues a strategy built on global port presence

Bill Gates prompts IOCs to produce green H2

Skillsets developed for oil and gas production could be applied to green hydrogen—even if costs may never be low enough for all applications

Funding the transition to net zero

The technology to deliver net-zero carbon emissions is in place. How to fund this energy transition, however, is the next big challenge

Saudi Arabia sees Irena’s hydrogen vision

Kingdom has the goal of becoming the global leader in clean hydrogen production and exports

Uniper and Port of Rotterdam plan green H2 plant

Turbomachinery technology advances to boost H2 – Baker Hughes AM 2021

The next generation of hydrogen compressors will be lower-cost and more efficient, and will require less maintenance

Total, Engie to build France’s first green hydrogen plant at a refinery

The two French energy companies make a joint investment to grow France’s hydrogen production

Green hydrogen on the horizon

The most efficient way to produce green hydrogen may be to integrate electrolysers and wind turbines at offshore locations

LGIM launches world’s first hydrogen ETF

New index-tracking fund provides investors with exposure to the entire clean hydrogen value chain

BP CEO: Hydrogen is the most exciting technology—IP Week

Bernard Looney is confident about the role of renewables in the future of BP, but insists oil and gas still play a role in every scenario

Europe eyes North African H2 imports

Germany is at the forefront of EU plans to strengthens ties with solar-abundant Morocco

Everfuel expands green hydrogen network

Danish firm is to meet growing demand for the fuel with fourth refuelling station in Copenhagen

Countries must balance H2 supply and demand—WHS

Encouraging development at both ends of the value chain will ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry, firms say

Uniper and Novatek agree long-term H2 collaboration

MoU prepares the ground for hydrogen supply and technology projects

Abu Dhabi catches the hydrogen bug

The oil-rich emirate has been slow to join the hydrogen economy—but a tie-up between the government’s corporate mainstays augurs a dramatic change of heart

Hydrogen kaleidoscope comes into focus

Each of the ‘colours’ of hydrogen production will come under intense scrutiny in 2021

Sinopec aims for Chinese hydrogen leadership

Beijing-based company is seeking to collaborate in developing a green hydrogen supply chain

UK splits £171mn across nine CCS and hydrogen projects

UKRI competition is latest stage of mission to create first net-zero industrial cluster by 2040

Nuclear should be ‘at the heart’ of hydrogen production

New reactor technology could provide one-third of zero-carbon hydrogen by 2050

ExxonMobil commends President Biden’s decision to rejoin the Paris Agreement

The US major has supported the accord since its adoption in 2015

Green H2 can thrive on level playing field—CeraWeek

Industry leaders are confident that demand in the most advanced countries will boom—so long as governments facilitate fair competition

Ballard Power is shifting gears

Fuel-cell company has made several recent agreements and is on the lookout for acquisitions and joint ventures

CCS could be ‘trillion-dollar industry’ – Baker Hughes AM 2021

Developing carbon capture and storage will be essential to the oil and gas industry remaining relevant

Swiss utility Romande Energie eyes green hydrogen

Vaud-based company believes hydrogen can ease renewable electricity intermittency and offer cheaper alternative to trucking firms

Australia bolsters green hydrogen push

Green hydrogen has received a surge of support from government and industry, and is set to benefit from the country’s renewables boom

Alberta and Quebec to battle for hydrogen supremacy

The relative contributions of blue and green hydrogen will determine how the sector develops over the next decade

Nuclear power too expensive for hydrogen production

Senior UN IPCC figure says reactors are not competitive with other low-carbon forms of power generation so the industry would require substantial subsidies to produce H2 on either side of the Atlantic

Dutch to test green H2-fuelled inland shipping

Using hydrogen as a marine fuel could make a substantial difference in lowering the emissions of the sizeable inland shipping sector

Arriva Netherlands orders ten hydrogen-fuelled buses

The Netherlands is expanding its growing fleet of H2 buses with a €6.4mn order for ten vehicles serving the eastern province of Gelderland

Hydrogen fuel cells can replace diesel in haulage

Truck fleets are well suited to trials of hydrogen fuel cell technology

Cummins makes headway in hydrogen

Heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturer is making inroads into electrolyser and fuel-cell markets

Corporate PPAs could boost hydrogen deployment

Is it time to level-up corporate energy procurement for low-carbon hydrogen, following the successful use of PPAs for renewable electricity?

Siemens UK and Riversimple formalise collaboration

Welsh hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle company has formed its first corporate strategic relationship ahead of 2023 product launch

Hydrogen pathways depend on local circumstances

Hydrogen is viewed as a contributor to decarbonisation in an increasing number of countries around the world. But national strategies to build out the sector vary considerably

British Airways invests in hydrogen aircraft specialist

Hydrogen-electric aircraft may be a viable zero-emissions solution for short-to-medium range routes

Can the oil and gas industry deliver Canada’s hydrogen strategy?

The national government presented its new three-phase strategy in December that will build on its strengths in hydrocarbons and renewables

Equinor calls for state support for hydrogen

Norwegian major is pushing ahead with its plans for hydrogen production but acknowledges that government backing is needed at this stage of market development

Taking the lid off digital transformation

Combining digitalisation with valuable real-time data helps businesses drive operational performance and counter stiff market competition

Prototype plant produces cost-competitive green H2

Heliogen uses concentrated solar power to create green hydrogen at a cost below the industry standard for grey hydrogen

Greening the LNG supply chain

The deal between Pavilion and Qatar Petroleum Trading illustrates how creating offset-ready arrangements will impact trading relationships and legal risk allocation

Siemens Energy, Gamesa join forces for offshore H2

Siemens Gamesa and Siemens Energy are working together on offshore wind-powered green hydrogen projects

Low demand stymies H2 refuelling network rollout

Despite bullish forecasts for hydrogen truck and bus sales, refuelling infrastructure for heavy vehicles remains little used amid uncertainty over standards

Suez to build France’s first waste-powered H2 plant

The green hydrogen production plant will initially serve public transport and utility vehicles, while commercial customers will be able to purchase supplies in a later phase when capacity rises to 1t/d

Shell, Vattenfall plan green H2 project at former German coal plant site

Energy companies team up to bring an electrolyser to Hamburg site to help meet Germany’s ambitious target of 5GW of hydrogen production capacity by 2030

Cairo sees opportunity in green hydrogen

Burgeoning solar and wind power capacity is fuelling Egyptian ambitions to enter the nascent international market

Imported green hydrogen ‘will be cheaper than domestic’ by 2030

Europe’s low-carbon hydrogen demand could be met by both domestic and imported production

ABN Amro: Green H2 could compete with gas by 2030

Producing hydrogen using electrolysis is expensive, but the Dutch bank sees green hydrogen becoming cost-competitive with natural gas by the end of the decade

Pilot projects prove H2 role in cement decarbonisation

Hydrogen can take a relatively limited role in cement manufacturing, to decarbonise the heating component of the industry’s huge CO2 emissions

The ‘time is now’ for hydrogen – Baker Hughes AM 2021

A clean-molecule solution is needed for hard-to-abate sectors and cost-competitiveness is within sight

Hydrogen investment case solidifies

During 2020 hydrogen projects have moved from the fringes of the energy transition discussion to a mainstream target for both companies and investors

Baker Hughes and Novatek to develop H2 blend LNG trains

Baker Hughes will retrofit LNG facilities, with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions

Gas infrastructure can help hydrogen scale up—WHS

National gas networks can blend in hydrogen to reduce emissions and help build the hydrogen economy

Could hydrogen become a viable marine fuel?

The prospect of zero-carbon hydrogen-powered vessels is highly attractive, if cost and infrastructure concerns can be overcome

Fit for the lower carbon future

What is ExxonMobil doing to prepare for a lower-carbon future while meeting energy needs of a growing population?

Pure-play hydrogen stock prices plateau

Valuations shot up last year, but many have since lost momentum. Does the investment outlook match the hype?

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