More than 200 new hydrogen-related initiatives have been announced throughout the world this year. According to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who spoke at the start of Hydrogen Week in Brussels, 55 percent of them are in an EU nation.
She emphasized the community’s goal to be a leader in hydrogen, which is seen as critical in the shift to heavy industry, in a statement reported by the EC’s press office. She went on to say that if we want to reach the climate targets, we need to grow green hydrogen production to 10 million tons per year by 2030.
Before the rest of the world, EU nations began investing in a new generation of electrolyzers to manufacture hydrogen from renewable energy sources. As a result, the European Union currently owns patents and publications related to this technology.
In Linz, Austria, one of the world’s largest electrolyzers is in operation, capable of delivering green hydrogen to a steel production. According to the President of the European Commission, this is a step toward decarbonizing the economy.
She used Groningen, in the northern Netherlands, as an example of a successful future project in Europe in her address. This region has adequate renewable electricity from offshore wind turbines. The building of two electrolyzers will allow the region’s industries to be supplied with hydrogen. The North of the Netherlands will have a fully integrated hydrogen supply chain by the end of 2025, resulting in over 20,000 new employment in the region.
Technology development makes it possible for technologies to become more cost-effective and competitive. “Grey hydrogen may now be cheaper than blue because of the high price of natural gas,” Ursula von der Layen stated.
The goal of Brussels is for the price of green hydrogen to reach 1.80 euros per kilogram by 2030.
Green hydrogen, which is created by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen with the use of energy, costs between 2.50 and 5.50 euros per kilogram, according to European Commission figures from this spring. Blue hydrogen, derived from natural gas processing, costs 2 euros per kilogram, whereas hydrogen derived from other fossil fuels, such as oil or coal, costs 1.50 euros per kilogram.
However, the establishment of virtual circles, where supply and demand boost each other, according to Ursula von der Leyen, would lower the price.
There are numerous steps to doing this, the first of which is enough public support for hydrogen-related innovation, according to Von der Layen. She stated that international collaboration, as well as a strong engagement with the business sector and scientists, are necessary to assist the development of a hydrogen market.
