The EDP Group has launched two units that will exploit the potential of green hydrogen and energy storage systems.
The H2 Business Unit (H2BU) will be the group’s new arm for the development of green hydrogen projects, while the dedicated storage unit, built in EDPR NA, will aim to achieve a storage capacity of 1 GW within five years.
With the creation of the new business unit, EDP aims to strengthen the integration of green hydrogen into the group’s portfolio in a strategic and cross-cutting way and promote investment in renewable. H2BU will be led by Ana Quelhas, director of Energy Planning of the EDP Group.
The creation of this unit comes to give shape to EDP’s plan in the United States, called “Re-charge,” which aims to achieve 1 GW in energy storage projects by 2026.
“The creation of these business units reinforces EDP’s leadership in the energy transition. The growing penetration of renewable energy sources increasingly requires integration with storage systems, such as batteries, to provide the necessary flexibility to the electrical system and thus enhance the growth of renewable energy sources themselves. In addition, the combination of renewable energy sources in electricity generation with the electrification of consumption, will be the most cost-effective way for decarbonization for most of the final energy uses. But if we want to meet the goals of carbon neutrality, we will need to use other energy vectors, such as green hydrogen, to respond to sectors where electricity is not a technically viable or economically attractive option. “
Miguel Stilwell de Andrade CEO EDP.
In the case of both green hydrogen and energy storage, the EDP Group has undertaken several initiatives that have served to gain knowledge and test the potential of these clean energy solutions.
In the case of hydrogen, EDP has a pilot project in the Ribatejo Central, the partnership in H2Sines and a collaboration with Alenquer City Council, among other entities. At an international level, EDP is developing the Behyond project, a partnership between Portugal and Norway to study the feasibility of offshore hydrogen production, and is also involved in creating an European hydrogen market with European Alliance Clean.