Author: Anela Dokso

In Wuppertal, a technical incident involving a hydrogen bus operated by Wuppertaler Stadtwerke (WSW) has raised questions about the safety protocols associated with alternative fuel transportation. On March 22, the hydrogen bus reported a minor leak from its hydrogen system, prompting a police-mediated closure of Morianstraße and a rapid expert response. The incident was triggered when the bus driver detected a system error via onboard diagnostics, and despite the technical nature of the leak, WSW assured the public that there was no danger to passengers or bystanders at any point—be it during transit, at the bus stop, or while being…

The German industrial giant ThyssenKrupp is confronting a formidable challenge concerning its ambitious €3 billion investment in a hydrogen-based steel production facility in Duisburg. Despite its potential technological advancements, the plant’s future is marred by the lack of reliable green hydrogen supplies, a situation compounded by the current infrastructure constraints within Germany and wider Europe. CEO Miguel Lopez’s recent address to North-Rhine Westphalia’s parliament underscored the plant’s reliance on green hydrogen to produce 2.5 million tonnes of green steel annually. From 2028, this endeavor will necessitate at least 104,000 tonnes of hydrogen each year, escalating to 143,000 tonnes by 2029…

Texas is often hailed as a prospective leader in the U.S. green hydrogen sector, grounded in facts that include its abundance of renewable resources, established energy infrastructure, and robust market demand. Despite these favorable conditions, actualizing this vision demands moving beyond optimistic aspirations to the pragmatic actualities of industrial execution. According to data from the International Energy Agency, global green hydrogen capacity is expanding rapidly with nations like China outpacing the U.S. In 2023, China accounted for 60% of new clean hydrogen production facilities, underscoring the competitive pressures faced by U.S. counterparts. The discrepancy between Texas’s rich resources and its…

Dr. Danica Maljković, the partnership’s chair, highlights “growing momentum in member states,” noting that 30 hydrogen valleys—regional hubs linking production to industry—are now in development.

Ammonia production in Europe, largely reliant on hydrogen derived from fossil fuels, poses a significant challenge in meeting climate targets. The sector contributes to 27% of emissions from the European Union’s Emissions Trading System for the chemical sector.

Fortum’s recently concluded two-year feasibility study on new nuclear power—spanning small modular reactors (SMRs) and conventional large reactors—reveals a nuanced outlook: while nuclear could play a pivotal role in stabilizing the region’s energy mix, significant economic and regulatory hurdles remain.

A recently filed patent by Hitachi reveals an innovative water electrolysis system designed to generate hydrogen and oxygen gas from water while offering the ability to adjust power consumption dynamically.

The concept of lighter-than-air crafts, revitalized with contemporary technology, is the subject of a patent recently filed by ZeroAvia.

A recent evaluation of the European Union’s hydrogen strategy showcases a complex landscape where optimism meets hard-edged realism. The EU’s commitment to hydrogen as a cornerstone of its decarbonization efforts faces challenges and delays, particularly among its Central and Eastern European members. Despite legislation efforts in countries like Czechia, which has already incorporated the REDIII quotas into national law, the overarching targets remain out of reach. The expense of producing green hydrogen, especially in Central and Eastern Europe, highlights a significant hurdle. The high costs imply a need for substantial subsidies or incentives to meet EU quotas. However, there is…

Asturias, a northern Spanish region with ambitions to become a hub for green hydrogen production, has lost two critical projects totaling €100 million in investment and 200 potential jobs. The German wind energy giant Nordex and the HyDeal-Arcelor consortium recently opted to establish their electrolyzer gigafactories in Navarre and Guadalajara, respectively, despite Asturias’s offer of €11 million in subsidies for Nordex’s research initiatives. The setback underscores the fierce competition among European regions to secure a stake in the burgeoning green hydrogen supply chain. Guadalajara, home to Europe’s largest operational electrolyzer plant, has already begun exporting components to Germany, signaling its…