H2Tech: Process/Project Optimization

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Special Focus: Process/Project Optimization

Avoiding the PEM bottleneck—Iridium-based catalysts for giga-scale production

Based on the current use of iridium as the anode catalyst in proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis, the forecasted increase in PEM electrolyzer capacity seems like an impossible task; however, companies involved in the PEM technology supply chain are aware of this issue and are taking steps to address it through chemistry and equipment design.

Addressing the top three communications vulnerabilities of H2 processors

Three areas tend to be particularly vulnerable when it comes to land mobile radio communications for hydrogen processing applications: turnarounds, disaster-based outages and dead zones can be weak links in otherwise strong networks.

Maintenance and Reliability

A finite element method analysis revealing the structural behavior of load bearing brackets

The hydrogen (H2) generation unit (HGU) manufactures H2 by steam reforming propane and butane. In the final part of the HGU, the high-temperature shift conversion (HTSC) process takes place in HTSC reactors.

Digital Technologies

Optimize green and blue H2 plants with a digital-first strategy

Green and blue H2 production may involve different processes, but they both require the same thing: automated and intelligent controlled chemical-reaction units. These units are needed for H2 production through traditional steam methane reforming with carbon capture for blue H2.

Columns

Materials and processes required for a sustainable future

Proton exchange membrane electrolyzers require platinum and iridium for electrocatalyst; alkaline electrolyzers use nickel as raw material for electrodes. Platinum prices will likely be impacted by sanctions on Russia, one of the major producers of platinum.

The hydrogen economy

In 1969, Apollo 11 allowed humankind to take their first steps on the moon. Unknown to many, hydrogen (H2) made that mission possible through the use of H2 fuel cells to supply electricity and water for the capsule, along with liquid H2 to fuel the rockets.

The tech behind the surging global H2 market

Public transit is one of the most concerning ventures in green H2 mobility (e.g., buses and trains). These modes of transportation have several environmental benefits, such as removing cars from the road, decreasing congestion, lowering traffic fatality rates and dramatically decreasing carbon dioxide emissions per passenger mile.

Trends

H2Tech: Technology Spotlight

February's H2Tech Spotlight features an energy system for H2 production, new H2 storage safety technology, gas turbines powered by H2 and much more.

H2Tech: Projects Update

The Germany government has announced that it may provide Namibia €10 B to build a new green H2 production complex. This infusion of capital will help develop Hyphen Hydrogen Energy’s complex. The project in the port town of Luederitz consists of a solar and wind farm that will provide feedstock to produce green H2.

H2Tech: Global Projects Data

Gulf Energy Information’s Global Energy Infrastructure database is tracking more than 1,030 H2 projects around the world. This is nearly 200 more projects than what the database was tracking in January 2021. Nearly half of these investments are being made in Western Europe, followed by the Asia-Pacific region (21%) and the U.S. (13%). When analyzed by production path, nearly 75% of H2 projects are green, followed by blue (23%).  

Hydrogen Economist

EU policy delay a greater risk than US competition – HH2E

Wait for publication of Red II and its definition of what can be classed as ‘green’ hydrogen is the biggest hurdle for European projects, German developer tells Hydrogen Economist

Germany and Belgium strengthen hydrogen ties

The countries aim to have a hydrogen pipeline interconnection in place by 2028, amid plans to double Belgium’s gas transit capacity

Atura Power to become major clean hydrogen player in Ontario

Subsidiary of government-owned Ontario Power Generation plans to take FID on its 20MW Niagara Hydrogen Centre early this year

Momentum slows for new hydrogen capacity

New announced capacity in global project pipeline fell by 90pc between Q1 and Q4 last year, according to Wood Mackenzie

GenH2 and HYDS partner on Norwegian liquid hydrogen supply

The US firm will support the Norwegian developer in its plans to supply green hydrogen throughout the Nordic market

ExxonMobil selects Topsoe for Baytown blue hydrogen

The facility’s carbon-capture process will be delivered by technology licensor Honeywell

Metals volatility drives electrolyser price inflation

PEM and alkaline electrolyser prices have risen by 30pc and 21pc respectively due to volatility in platinum, iridium and nickel markets, says consultancy Rystad Energy

TotalEnergies and Air Liquide launch hydrogen refuelling JV

Major joins growing list of companies exploring opportunities for hydrogen in road transport

Saudi Arabia issues licence for Neom hydrogen plant

1.2mn t/yr green ammonia complex is still scheduled for startup in 2026, although FID remains outstanding

Hydrogen key to long-duration storage – Entsoe

European power grid operators are exploring hydrogen as a potential route for seasonal energy storage

Linde secures offtake for $1.8bn US blue hydrogen project

OCI will use hydrogen from Linde’s facility for its ammonia plant in Texas

Hydrogen an opportunity for China’s renewables hubs

Wind and solar hubs in the north of the country are planning integrated hydrogen projects amid changing demand from traditional coastal industrial customers

Cepsa to supply Spain-Netherlands green hydrogen corridor

The Spanish oil and gas firm plans to supply Rotterdam’s ACE terminal with green ammonia starting from 2027

Petronas eyes hydropower for green hydrogen

Malaysian NOC’s CEO hints at key role for cheap hydroelectric power to give it competitive edge

Sinopec launches Inner Mongolia green hydrogen project

Chinese NOC to invest $828mn in project with production capacity of 30,000t/yr

India’s Hydrogen Mission gets budget boost

The country has kickstarted its ambition to become a green hydrogen production hub, but controversy over conglomerate Adani may slow a flagship project’s development

Global hydrogen market faces oversupply risk

Immediate action needed to create both industrial and retail demand, according to the EIC

Essar earmarks $3.6bn for transition in UK and India

Newly created division will deliver projects including low-carbon hydrogen, biofuels and CCS, with bulk of investments aimed at the UK’s Stanlow refinery, Indian conglomerate says

EU to hold €800mn hydrogen auction

The bloc will award projects with a fixed premium per kilogram of renewable hydrogen produced

BP targets double-digit hydrogen returns

The major aims to establish foundations for ‘a material business’ from 2030s, CEO tells investors

Customers queue for Namibia hydrogen

Offtake and financing agreements augur well for Windhoek’s green hydrogen ambitions

EIB backs Indian green hydrogen

The EU’s lending arm plans to increase support for hubs and projects across India with indicative funding of €1bn

Woodside prioritises US project for FID this year

The oil and gas firm reaffirms H2OK FID for 2023, while timelines for projects in Australia and New Zealand remain vague

Enaex taps KBR for Chilean green ammonia

Explosives firm progresses project amid increasing international interest in Chile’s green hydrogen potential

Sinopec opens first methanol-to-hydrogen refuelling stations

Chinese oil firm claims a 20pc cost saving compared to production, storage and transportation of pure hydrogen

BP plans €2bn green hydrogen cluster at Castellon

Oil major unveils Hyval project to deploy up to 2GW of electrolysers at Spanish refinery complex for decarbonisation and biofuels production

UK risks leaving ‘great’ hydrogen projects unfunded

Pipeline of credible projects now exceeds 250MW capacity limit set out by first government funding round, industry association Hydrogen UK tells Hydrogen Economist

Hyzon faces Nasdaq delisting

The hydrogen vehicle manufacturer has been notified of a suspension of its shares and delisting from the market scheduled for 14 February

Shell joins hydrogen aviation initiative

The major partners with Zeroavia and Dutch airports to develop operations for hydrogen in airports and for European demonstration flights by end-2024

Hy24 and Everfuel launch Nordic JV

The €200mn JV will acquire its Danish parent’s 20MW Hysynergy Phase 1 project for €28mn

Lhyfe plans 2023 startup for 5MW Brittany project

The French developer will supply 2t/d of hydrogen to offtakers as part of the Great West Hydrogen Valley initiative

TES and Energie 360 sign circular offtake deal

The German developer will supply the Swiss gas company with synthetic methane while offtaking feedstock CO₂ from its power plants

Oman weighs options for hydrogen infrastructure

The country is evaluating the viability of new hydrogen pipelines, repurposing existing networks, transporting finished products and long-duration storage

Hydrogen faces water scarcity risk

The industry is exploring the economics of wastewater and seawater electrolysis amid increasing risk of drought and limited access

ExxonMobil awards Feed for Baytown blue hydrogen facility

The major has contracted Technip Energies for 1bn ft³/d project, with FID expected next year

Everwind progresses $6bn Nova Scotia project

The developer has received environmental approval for its 1mn t/yr green ammonia facility, with first delivery to offtakers in Germany on track for 2025

Lack of international definition constraining green hydrogen growth – Barclays

Reluctance of banks to lend to projects and lack of internationally agreed standards holding industry back, according to the London-headquartered bank

Hycc signs 40MW electrolyser order with Nel

Dutch developer aims to take FID on 6,000t/yr green hydrogen project by 2024

UK risks falling behind on hydrogen gas network

Trade association calls for regulated asset base mechanism to support rollout of hydrogen pipelines

Turkey outlines hydrogen plans

The government prioritises replacing imported gas in the domestic energy system in a broad, heavily backloaded strategy

EU sets out final draft of renewable hydrogen rules

European Commission softens criteria for grid-derived hydrogen and extends deadline for hourly matching to renewables to kick in from 2030

Neom project cost balloons to $8.5bn

The three JV participants have also opted to shake up project financing, according to co-developer Air Products

Port of Corpus Christi to explore hydrogen for marine fuel

The Texas port has signed an MoU with Ammpower to potentially produce hydrogen as feedstock for derivatives and fuel

Gulf investors spot Azeri green hydrogen potential

Acwa and Masdar have both agreed to extend their clean energy cooperation with Baku into the renewables-based fuel

Spain sees flurry of green hydrogen partnerships

Cepsa has partnered with Fertiberia to progress its 1GW Huelva project, while Acciona and Plug Power have unveiled a new project in Navarre

TotalEnergies shelves Adani green hydrogen project

CEO Patrick Pouyanne defends JV strategy amid controversy over Indian conglomerate’s finances

Ineos secures €3.5bn for green cracker project

Ethane cracker plant at port of Antwerp to use hydrogen generated as a byproduct of its own ethylene production

Masdar and Verbund ink green hydrogen MoU

The firms will explore opportunities for green hydrogen production and export to Austria and southern Germany

EU evaluates hydrogen auction options

A number of different options for design are being evaluated by the Commission following the closure of its consultation

Masdar works with IFC on African hydrogen

UAE state-owned renewables developer and World Bank’s finance arm agree to explore establishment of green hydrogen investment platform for emerging markets

Gasunie applies for North Sea hydrogen network PCI

The Dutch gas infrastructure firm plans to commission German network by 2030

Nikola plans Q3 FID for Phoenix hub despite continued losses

Truck manufacturer sets full-year margin guidance of between -75 and -95pc

Why digital transformation and net zero should go hand in hand

New technologies such as fibre networks are helping the EU and other regions decarbonise and improve digital access

Gasunie and Thyssengas plan German hydrogen corridor

The north–south network will transport hydrogen from Wilhelmshaven to industrial users in Wesseling by 2028

Equinor quits Barents Blue and Polaris

Norwegian state-owned company walks away from ammonia and associated CCS projects after cooperation agreement expires

General Motors and Barclays back Geopura

The UK hydrogen power firm has secured £36mn in its Series A financing round

EU green hydrogen rules an equivalency headache for exporters

The bloc’s delegated acts provide more investor certainty for projects within or planning to export to the bloc, but questions remain over how the criteria will be applied across varying energy markets

Equinor and Engie progress 1GW Belgian blue hydrogen project

The firms have signed a joint development agreement following completion of a feasibility study

Germany and Netherlands strengthen Australian hydrogen import ties

The countries will explore developing an export-oriented hub in the state of Western Australia

EU rules still limit green hydrogen growth

Long-delayed delegated acts have been welcomed by the industry, but strict criteria may require governments to help close price gap

Paraguayan green fertiliser project signs hydropower PPA

Neogreen plans to progress to Feed and take FID on the project by the end of 2023

Sasol and Topsoe to form SAF JV

The South African oil firm and Danish technology company will explore green hydrogen, CO₂ and biomass as feedstock for potential SAF production

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