Green hydrogen stands as a linchpin in the energy transition, yet its precarious transport poses a quandary. Could ammonia be the solution, or does it carry a hidden environmental toll?
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Initially anticipated to cost below €3 per kilogram by 2030, recent economic shifts and technical complexities are shattering these expectations.
Germany’s updated hydrogen strategy aims to accelerate the production and use of green hydrogen, a key component in the country’s transition towards a climate-neutral future.
The European Council has approved a proposal that sets ambitious emission reduction targets for the heavy-duty transport sector. These targets essentially mandate a gradual transition away from fossil fuel-powered vehicles, making way for zero-emissions trucks and buses fueled by hydrogen or batteries.
The cost of producing green hydrogen is a significant barrier, with a price tag of up to $8 per kilogram, roughly six times the cost of liquefied natural gas in Asia. To make green hydrogen more accessible, there’s a need to reduce production costs significantly.
Germany’s ambitious hydrogen plans have encountered a transportation dilemma, threatening to inflate the country’s hydrogen import costs.
Latin America, blessed with vast water reserves, competitive labor costs, and existing clean energy infrastructure, seems poised for green hydrogen production. However, challenges in building a robust production infrastructure and a coordinated market persist.
The global ammonia industry is set for significant growth, with capacity expected to increase from 238 million metric tons per annum (mtpa) in 2022 to a substantial 311 million mtpa by 2030. This expansion is driven by 114 planned and announced ammonia plants scheduled to come online within this period, primarily in North America and the Former Soviet Union.
The pursuit of green hydrogen as a clean and sustainable energy source has been propelled to the forefront of the global energy transition. At the heart of this endeavor lies a fundamental process: water splitting, where water is transformed into oxygen and hydrogen through electrolysis.
The global push for renewable hydrogen is well underway, with hydrogen electrolyzers at the forefront of this green revolution. In Europe, the development of these electrolyzers is integral to the Net-Zero Industry Act, a significant part of the EU’s green industrial policy. However, the landscape of this emerging industry is far from settled, with Europe, China, and the United States vying for supremacy in electrolyzer technology.
