Author: Arnes Biogradlija

NTPC, India’s largest power producer, has recently announced its plan to build a green hydrogen hub in coastal Andhra Pradesh with a budget of more than ₹1 lakh crore.

A group of researchers in South Korea have developed a new type of carbon-based electrode technology which can increase the energy efficiency and price competitiveness of hydrogen production.

Hydrogen Europe, the European hydrogen association, has announced the appointment of Dr Sopna Sury as its new chair. Effective from 26th April 2023, Dr Sury has been elected to lead the association for the next two years until June 2025. She succeeds Jon André Løkke, the outgoing board member and former CEO of Nel Hydrogen.

Greek energy companies Motor Oil and PPC have announced a joint venture called Hellenic Hydrogen, which aims to develop alternative fuel technologies, specifically green hydrogen. The project is expected to receive up to €130 million in investment, with funding already requested from the Innovation Fund. The venture will produce “green” hydrogen and is also exploring other forms of funding for smaller projects in the hydrogen valleys sector.

Europe’s dominance of the global hydrogen industry appears to be slipping due to the rapid increase in planned hydrogen projects in North America, according to a report by Aurora Energy Research.

Germany’s efforts to reduce its dependence on natural gas have led to plans to transport green hydrogen from Turkey via pipelines to the country.

The Dutch government has unveiled the Climate Fund project for 2024, which includes €28.1 billion for climate spending in the country by 2030. Of this total, €7.5 billion will be allocated to developing the green hydrogen industry, including €300 million for importing the energy source. This could benefit green hydrogen projects in the Port of Pecém, Ceará, Brazil, where the Dutch port of Rotterdam has a 30% stake.

Atlas Agro Fertilizantes, a Brazilian fertilizer company, announced plans to invest $850 million in the construction of a green hydrogen plant in Uberaba, Brazil. The plant, which will be the first of its kind in the country, will produce 500,000 tons per year of nitrogen fertilizers using green hydrogen.

Hydrogen is becoming increasingly important as a resource in the global push towards climate neutrality. In Austria, Chancellor Karl Nehammer has called it a vital element in the country’s transition away from fossil fuels. At a recent hydrogen summit, Nehammer emphasized the need for a climate-neutral industry and highlighted the role of hydrogen in achieving this goal.

Entergy has broken ground on the Orange County Advanced Power Station (OCAPS), a 1,215 MW combined cycle plant located near Bridge City, Texas. The plant, which would use natural gas initially and transition to hydrogen in the future, would have the ability to use up to 30% hydrogen by volume, potentially reaching 100%. The $1.2 billion project is expected to create nearly $1.8 billion in total economic activity in Southeast Texas.