Brazil has decided to go down the hydrogen road. By 2025, the government will be able to create hydrogen on a large scale in numerous states across the country.
This became a reality in February 2021, when the Ceará government revealed a plan to build a green hydrogen hub at the Pecém Industrial and Port Complex (CIPP).
“The Ceará government’s launch was the first step in putting Brazil on the global hydrogen map. Since the announcement, US$ 20 billion has been invested in the entire green hydrogen production chain, including renewable energy and electrolysis plants, as well as the production of derivatives like ammonia, among other things,” said Monica Saraiva Panik, a specialist in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, director of Institutional Relations at the Brazilian Hydrogen Association (ABH2), mentor of Hydrogen Mobility at SAE Brasil, and curator of the theme.
According to Monica, other states have initiated projects after the announcement, including Rio de Janeiro at the Port of Açu; Pernambuco at the Port of Suape; and Rio Grande do Norte, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Piau, and the Rio Grande do Sul, all in collaboration with the private sector.
“This movement is crucial because it allows us to comprehend the potential of each location because each one has its own energy sources,” he said.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy is also involved in this industry, conducting particular studies to determine Brazil’s potential and future demand, as well as collaborating with regulatory bodies on certification and regulatory framework concerns.
Hydrogen may be employed in a variety of industries, including steel, fertilizers, cement, energy, and transportation. As a consequence, because the hydrogen production chain involves service providers and suppliers in several areas, there will be chances for businesses of all sizes.
In terms of employment development, Monica believes that new functions will be created, as well as opportunities for experts working in other segments and industries such as power, industrial gases, biofuels, and refineries.
During an online event hosted by the BW Movement, a project of the Brazilian Association of Technology for Construction and Mining (Sobratema), a specialist in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies observed that the presented projects employ two economic models.
The first is the hubs, where port regions will build infrastructure for hydrogen production, storage, transportation, usage, and export, as well as all linked operations.
The second is distributed energy, which refers to the industry-led production of hydrogen and other inputs that can replace fossil-based raw materials like coal, as well as the conversion of hydrogen back into energy if desired.
Monica believes that betting on hydrogen is critical because decarbonization is a dead end. Companies have plans in place to achieve zero emissions and produce green products. And, because Brazil has abundant energy resources for large-scale hydrogen generation, it may become a green hydrogen exporter, meeting worldwide demand for decarbonization in industry and transportation.
Finally, she emphasized the BW Movement’s pioneering spirit in bringing the issue of hydrogen to the country in 2019, emphasizing its relevance for the planet’s decarbonization and reaching global targets to mitigate climate change consequences.
