The ongoing German Hannover Messe, Europe’s leading industrial and automation fair, is focusing on industrial sustainable development. This year, Norway, renowned for its oil sector, is the partner country. Norway seeks to highlight its industry’s vital role in the global green transition.
Despite this, there’s an argument for Norway to invest more into tech solutions for a real pioneering role in the green industrialization movement.
Hystar, a Norwegian high-tech company, showcases its innovative system for producing green hydrogen via patented PEM electrolyzers at the Hannover Messe. Although already a recipient of the Norwegian governments’ R&D funding directed towards green hydrogen and electrolyzers, Hystar’s CEO, Frederik Mowill, urges for increased support towards the Norwegian green industry.
He sees a strong tech industry as central to Norway’s green transition and less dependency on its oil sector. He advocates for a focus on the commercialization and industrialization of renewable energy technologies and products.
Given the reduced cost of renewable energy and advancements in electrolysis technologies, the green hydrogen market is poised to grow from $1 billion to $30 billion by 2030, as per MarketsandMarkets’ projection.
Electrolyzers, fueled by renewable sources such as solar and wind, split water molecules to create hydrogen gas, offering a clean alternative to fossil fuels. Firms like Hystar develop cutting-edge technologies and streamline production processes to meet growing demand at lower prices.
Hystar, established in 2020, has certain advantages that make its electrolyzers competitive. These include high efficiency, robust safety measures from air-circulation operation, and manufacturing advantage due to the high-volume production components in use. It further invests in next-gen materials to enhance their electrolyzers’ efficiency.
The new 4.5 GW factory announced six months ago is now being built on the ground floor, with a modern, fully optimized production system.
Mowill stresses the importance for Norway, as a primary energy source producer, towards hardware innovation, rather than energy resources. This approach is critical for tech development and Norway’s green transition.
Hystar is expanding its reach beyond Europe to North America and Asia, owing to favorable policies in these regions.
Green hydrogen could be utilized in numerous sectors. Current clients of Hystar include energy company Equinor and Norwegian fertilizer giant Yara. It’s recognized potential lies in maritime fuel, hydrogen production, and e-fuels for aviation.
Furthermore, green hydrogen for transport could aid in decarbonizing heavy CO2 emission sectors. Last year, Hystar won a contract with Poland’s energy company, Polenergia, to produce green hydrogen for buses.
In addition, rules from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) are pushing the shipping industry towards greener practices, creating an opportunity for green ammonia.
