Author: Arnes Biogradlija

Fortescue Future Industries (FFI), the green energy branch of Australian mining giant Fortescue Metals Group, has invested significantly in a Chinese manufacturer of electrolyzer membranes. This move aligns with Fortescue’s ambitious goals to become a global leader in the green hydrogen sector. FFI is putting its financial backing behind Beijing Hosen Hi-Tech Co., which develops and produces the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) technology essential for hydrogen production through electrolysis. This technology is vital because it allows for the efficient splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity, thus generating green hydrogen. Fortescue’s decision to invest in Beijing Hosen…

Smoltek Nanotech Holding AB has announced a significant technological advancement. The company’s R&D team has successfully grown carbon nanofibers (CNFs) over an A4-sized area, marking the first time a large sample has been fabricated with CNFs. This is a crucial step toward industrial scalability of carbon nanofiber coating, which is essential for developing the porous transport electrode used in PEM electrolyzers and fuel cells by Smoltek Hydrogen. Ellinor Ehrnberg, President of Smoltek Hydrogen, highlighted the importance of this achievement. “We are the first in the world to achieve this. It’s a significant milestone and valuable proof to customers that our…

Spain has granted a €150m ($165m) subsidy to support one of Cobra’s green hydrogen projects. The Spanish Industry Minister, Jordi Hereu, made the announcement. Cobra, a subsidiary of the French company Vinci, is expected to use this funding to advance one of its green hydrogen initiatives. In July 2024, Cobra won an $80m contract from SMS Group to perform piping and mechanical work on a green steel production plant in Duisburg, Germany. This plant aims to have an annual production capacity of 2.5 million tonnes of direct reduced iron (DRI). The European Commission had also approved a €220m ($243m) grant…

Chinese company Hygreen Energy, headquartered in Beijing, has announced plans to build a 5GW alkaline electrolyser factory in Spain as part of a €2bn ($2.2bn) European expansion effort. The company will construct the facility in Malaga, ensuring it meets European compliance standards. The Malaga facility will have a planned capacity of 5GW, though actual capacity will depend on Hygreen’s growth and European market demand. Specific details regarding the factory’s operational timeline and initial capacity were not disclosed. This initiative complements Hygreen’s existing 2GW manufacturing capacity in Shandong, China, which is also set to expand to 5GW by the next year.…

Honda and Hypermotive have introduced a scalable hydrogen fuel cell system explicitly designed for maritime applications. The innovative X-M1 system is intended for new and existing vessels, including cruise ships, ferries, workboats, and yachts, facilitating the transition to zero-emission operations. Advanced Maritime Technology The fuel cell system is built on Hypermotive’s SYSTEM-X technology and promises exceptional durability and versatility. It serves fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), construction machinery, and stationary power generators. Currently in the development stage, the companies plan to bring the X-M1 to market soon, with proof of concept (PoC) trials scheduled for 2025. These trials aim to…

Yara International, a global leader in agricultural products and solutions, is revisiting carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology in Porsgrunn, Norway. This shift comes six years after the company initially abandoned its CCS plans. Magnus Ankarstrand, head of Yara Clean Ammonia, confirmed that their ambitious goals for Herøya remain intact, even as the large-scale production of green hydrogen has been suspended. Yara’s Pivot to Carbon Capture Yara had placed significant bets on green hydrogen, a cleaner alternative produced using renewable energy sources. However, the recent decision to put these plans on hold does not signify a retreat from environmental responsibility.…

In a recent interview, Lennart van der Burg, a hydrogen expert at the Dutch applied research institute TNO, shared valuable insights into the Netherlands’ ambitious hydrogen strategy and the challenges ahead. While the country has set impressive targets for hydrogen production, the current cost of green hydrogen remains a significant hurdle. WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE The Netherlands aims to achieve 4 to 6 GW of installed electrolyzer capacity by 2030. However, as van der Burg pointed out, the cost of green hydrogen, produced through renewable electricity and electrolysis, is much higher than initially anticipated. This cost discrepancy poses a…

In a recent interview, Sergey Frolov, the founder of H2 Valley, presented a captivating yet controversial perspective on natural hydrogen exploration. His vision challenges conventional geological models and proposes a novel approach to sourcing this clean energy resource. WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE Frolov boldly claims the prevailing understanding of the Earth’s core as solid iron and nickel is flawed. He posits a new model where the core comprises hydrides, leading to massive hydrogen flows towards the Earth’s surface. This concept forms the basis of H2 Valley’s geological approach to discovering natural hydrogen reserves. Instead of relying on energy-intensive green…

Gensol Engineering and Matrix Gas & Renewables have successfully emerged as the lowest bidders for the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract to develop India’s first Bio-Hydrogen project. The project, intended for a leading power generation company, will convert 25 tons of biowaste into 1 ton of hydrogen per day. Valued at Rs 164 crore, it has an 18-month completion timeframe and is part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which focuses on biomass-to-green hydrogen generation. Matrix Gas & Renewables is recognized for its rapid development in green hydrogen infrastructure and natural gas aggregation. Partnering with Westinghouse USA, Gensol will…

The collaboration aims to leverage South Korea’s advanced industrial capabilities and Estonia’s innovative tech landscape to create groundbreaking advancements in hydrogen technology. This partnership involves extensive cooperation between major South Korean industrial hubs and Estonia’s tech industries. The collaboration is expected to focus on various aspects of hydrogen technology, including production, storage, and utilization. Both nations are enthusiastic about this partnership’s potential in addressing global energy challenges and advancing sustainable solutions. Joint research and development projects are a core component of this initiative. These projects will see experts from both countries working together to push the boundaries of current hydrogen…