Author: Arnes Biogradlija

Australia has launched its 2024 National Hydrogen Strategy, which focuses on making the country a leader in green hydrogen production and export. Backed by $8 billion from the federal budget, the plan targets annual production of 0.5 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030 and 15 million tonnes by 2050. Key Objectives and Blueprint At the APAC Hydrogen 2024 Summit & Exhibition in Brisbane, Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen emphasized that the new strategy sets Australia up for significant domestic and international growth in hydrogen. The strategy aims to expand clean energy manufacturing capabilities and improve export…

SFC Energy, a provider of hydrogen and methanol fuel cells, has launched its largest production facility yet. Located in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Meeting Growing Demand The factory aims to meet the increasing need for hydrogen and methanol fuel cells in stationary, portable, and mobile hybrid power solutions. By mid-2024, the new site will host about 30% of SFC’s global workforce of 421 employees, highlighting its strategic importance. Ambitious Production Goals SFC Energy plans to produce 3,000 fuel cells by year-end, with expansion targets of up to 30,000 units annually by the end of 2028. This is part of the company’s global…

Ballard Power Systems, a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell product developer, has adopted a cautious strategy in response to the slower-than-expected adoption of fuel cell technology. This move aims to align with market conditions and balance innovation and fiscal prudence. Slower Adoption Rate As the adoption rate of fuel cell technology has been sluggish, Ballard Power Systems is reassessing its operational strategy. Despite the long-term potential of fuel cells for sustainable energy, current market conditions are not providing the catalyst for rapid growth. This sluggish uptake is largely due to high costs, infrastructure challenges, and competition from other renewable…

Energy firm HY2GO promised to build a £45 million “green hydrogen” production plant in Scotland four years ago. This project was supposed to create hundreds of jobs and place Scotland at the forefront of renewable technology before the COP26 conference. Background and Concerns The proposed project involved constructing a large solar and wind farm around a hydrogen electrolyzer to produce fuel cells for eco-friendly buses. These buses were intended to transport delegates at the climate conference. Site Visit Findings A recent visit to the proposed development site near Lesmahagow in Lanarkshire showed no progress. Despite having over £10 million in…

Japan’s leading classification society, ClassNK, has released the latest edition of its Guidelines for Liquefied Hydrogen Carriers. This new edition, labeled Edition 3.0, aims to enhance safety measures and technical standards for vessels transporting liquefied hydrogen. The guidelines have been developed to address the growing need for effective and safe transportation of this clean energy source. The Importance of Liquefied Hydrogen As the world continues to seek sustainable and clean energy alternatives, the demand for liquefied hydrogen has significantly increased. Liquefied hydrogen offers a high energy density and emits no harmful by-products, making it an ideal candidate for reducing carbon…

Welcome to an interview on the forefront of natural hydrogen research. In this exclusive discussion with Alberto Vitale Brovarone, we delve into the depths of Earth’s geological mysteries. From midnight fieldwork revelations to the profound implications of natural hydrogen as Earth’s invisible player, Alberto shares unique insights from extensive global expeditions. Join us as we explore this ubiquitous element’s untapped potential and future implications. WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW Alberto Vitale Brovarone discusses his pioneering research on natural hydrogen, highlighting discoveries from global expeditions, including memorable midnight fieldwork moments. He emphasizes the profound impact of natural hydrogen on Earth’s geological and…

In an interview with Energy News, Matthias Buck, the director for Europe at Agora Energiewende, a think tank focused on energy policy, discussed the strategic role of hydrogen in the European Union’s energy transition. While acknowledging the importance of renewable hydrogen for decarbonization, Buck stressed the need to prioritize its applications carefully. WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW Buck highlighted the energy losses associated with “electrolysis,” the process of generating hydrogen from renewable electricity. This, he argued, makes it less efficient than directly using renewable electricity in certain situations. He cautioned against the misconception that hydrogen can be a one-size-fits-all solution for…

Hydrogen as a fuel has long been seen as a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuels, addressing both energy and environmental pollution issues. However, harnessing hydrogen effectively requires innovative techniques, one of which is hydrogen liquefaction. Hydrogen liquefaction is a process that involves cooling hydrogen to cryogenic temperatures, making it easier to store and transport. This research dives deep into the thermodynamic analysis of various hydrogen liquefaction cycles, focusing on energy and exergy studies to optimize efficiency. Pre-cooling and Cyro-cooling Cycles In this study, three distinct liquefaction cycles were evaluated—each employing different pre-cooling and cryo-cooling methods. The simulations and analyses…

Naturgy and the Canary Islands Technological Institute (ITC), a public research center, are testing a new technology for green hydrogen production. The aim is to trial a 2 kW electrolyzer prototype to evaluate its design and compare its performance with current commercial systems. This project aims to enhance efficiency, reduce costs by using fewer scarce materials like noble metals, and develop a technology that can quickly adapt to renewable energy sources. Anion Exchange Membrane Technology The technology, called Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM), is developed by Sungreen, a Singapore-based startup. Naturgy has been collaborating with Sungreen and ITC since September 2022.…

Alicante’s port is close to the massive Valencia port, one of the largest in Spain, handling 76.8 million tons of cargo last year compared to Alicante’s 3.1 million. Despite this proximity, Alicante is not just following in Valencia’s shadow. The port is devising strategies to carve out its own space in the Mediterranean. This involves opening new cargo lines with Turkey, Egypt, and Morocco, enhancing existing ones with the Canary Islands, attracting tech companies, and embracing sustainable practices, including installing a green hydrogen plant. Luis Rodriguez, president of the Alicante Port Authority, emphasizes that the goal is not to compete…