Green Hydrogen

Over 700 jobs will be created across the UK in a world-leading hydrogen industry from the South West of England to the Highlands of Scotland, backed by ￡2 billion in government funding over the next 15 years.

The UK government has announced backing for 11 major projects to produce green hydrogen, helping to place the country at the forefront of this emerging industry.

So, What is green hydrogen?

Green hydrogen refers to hydrogen that is produced using renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, or hydropower, in a process called electrolysis. Electrolysis involves splitting water (H2O) into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) using an electric current.

The term "green" in green hydrogen emphasizes the environmentally friendly nature of the production process, as it relies on clean and sustainable energy sources. This is in contrast to "grey" or "brown" hydrogen, which is produced from natural gas through a process called steam methane reforming (SMR) and releases carbon dioxide as a by-product. "Blue" hydrogen is another category that involves capturing and storing the carbon emissions from grey hydrogen production, making it a bit cleaner.

Green hydrogen is seen as a promising energy carrier because it can be produced without emitting greenhouse gases, and its applications include energy storage, transportation, and industrial processes. It plays a key role in the transition to a more sustainable and low-carbon energy system. However, the widespread adoption of green hydrogen faces challenges such as high production costs and the need for further technological advancements to make the process more efficient and cost-effective.

?

Eleven new production projects will invest around ￡400 million up front over the next 3 years, growing the UK’s green economy

More than 700 jobs to be created, representing the largest number of commercial scale green hydrogen production projects announced at once anywhere in Europe

New certainty for industry as government sets out hydrogen ambitions, including future production, transport and storage rounds

Can we convert Offshore Wind energy into Green Hydrogen? Isn't this a great solution to the gap in connection activity whilst we wait for grid connection?

Offshore wind can be utilised to produce green hydrogen through a process called electrolysis. Here's how the process typically works:

1. Offshore Wind Energy Generation: Offshore wind farms are set up in bodies of water, such as oceans or seas, where wind speeds are generally higher and more consistent than on land. Wind turbines positioned in these locations harness the kinetic energy of the wind to generate electricity.
2. Electrolysis: The generated electricity from offshore wind can be used to power an electrolyser. In electrolysis, water (H2O) is split into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) through the application of an electric current. This process occurs in the electrolyser, which consists of an anode and a cathode separated by an electrolyte.
3. Hydrogen Production: The hydrogen produced through this electrolysis process is then collected and can be stored for various applications. This hydrogen is considered green because it is produced using renewable energy from offshore wind, which avoids the carbon emissions associated with traditional hydrogen production methods.
4. Storage and Transportation: Green hydrogen can be stored and transported for use in various sectors such as industry, transportation, and energy storage. It can serve as a versatile and clean energy carrier.

The conversion of offshore wind into green hydrogen provides a sustainable way to store and utilize the energy generated by wind farms, addressing the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources. This integration contributes to the development of a more resilient and environmentally friendly energy system. However, it's worth noting that challenges remain, including the need for advancements in technology to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of green hydrogen production from offshore win

What are the benefits of green hydrogen conversion?

Converting wind energy into green hydrogen offers several benefits, contributing to the development of a more sustainable and low-carbon energy system. Here are some key advantages:

1. Clean and Renewable Energy Source: Wind energy is a clean and renewable resource that does not produce greenhouse gas emissions during electricity generation. By converting wind energy into green hydrogen through electrolysis, the overall energy system becomes more environmentally friendly.
2. Energy Storage: Green hydrogen serves as a means of energy storage, addressing the intermittent nature of wind power. During periods of high wind generation, excess electricity can be used for electrolysis to produce hydrogen. The stored hydrogen can then be utilized during periods of low wind or high energy demand.
3. Versatility in Applications: Green hydrogen can be used in various sectors, including transportation, industry, and power generation. It can be employed as a fuel for hydrogen-powered vehicles, as a feedstock for industrial processes, and as a clean fuel for power plants.
4. Decarbonising Hard-to-Electrify Sectors: Some sectors, such as heavy industry and certain transportation modes, are challenging to electrify directly. Green hydrogen can be used as a clean energy carrier in these sectors, helping to reduce carbon emissions in traditionally hard-to-decarbonise areas.
5. Climate Change Mitigation: As a zero-emission energy carrier, green hydrogen plays a role in mitigating climate change by reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and decreasing overall carbon emissions in various sectors.
6. Economic Opportunities: The development of the green hydrogen industry can create economic opportunities, including job creation and investment in research, development, and infrastructure. This can contribute to the growth of a sustainable and innovative energy sector.
7. Energy Independence: By utilizing renewable resources like offshore wind for green hydrogen production, regions can enhance their energy independence, reducing dependence on fossil fuel imports and enhancing energy security.
8. Integration with Existing Infrastructure: Green hydrogen can be integrated into existing infrastructure, such as natural gas pipelines, facilitating a gradual transition toward a cleaner energy system without requiring massive overhauls of existing networkss.

Major challenges...

Green hydrogen is currently more expensive than conventional hydrogen primarily due to several factors associated with the production process. The high energy input required for electrolysis, the technology used to produce green hydrogen, is a significant contributor, as the process demands a substantial amount of electricity, particularly when sourced from renewable but currently more expensive energy like wind or solar. The cost of renewable energy, limited economies of scale, and the high costs associated with electrolyser technology also contribute to the overall expense. Infrastructure development, research and development efforts, and the absence of robust policy frameworks further add to the costs. In comparison, conventional hydrogen production methods benefit from mature and efficient technologies, posing competition for the emerging green hydrogen sector. However, as the renewable energy sector advances, economies of scale are realised, and technological improvements occur, it is expected that the cost of green hydrogen will decrease, making it more economically competitive with conventional hydrogen production methods. supportive government policies and increased private sector investment can play a crucial role in driving down costs and accelerating the adoption of green hydrogen as a more economically competitive and sustainable energy source.

At Hydro Energy Group we are excited to see the developments in Green Hydrogen production are continuing to grow as a business to be able to support our clients needs across all areas of the energy sector and that includes keeping ourselves up to date with industry progress from policy changes and government commentary to investment and economic news through to technological advancements.

Please find a list of resources on Green Hydrogen and our roadmap within the UK:

• Hydrogen Production Roadmap - Hydrogen Production Delivery Roadmap ( publishing.service.gov.uk )
• Hydrogen Transport and Storage Pathway - Hydrogen Transport and Storage Networks Pathway ( publishing.service.gov.uk )
• The rise of offshore hydrogen production at scale- Ramboll- The rise of offshore hydrogen production at scale ( ramboll.com )
• The worlds first hydrogen producing offshore wind turbine-Vattenfall - World’s first hydrogen-producing offshore wind turbine gets ￡9.3million funding boost - Vattenfall
• Offshore Wind to Green Hydrogen Opportunity Assessment - Offshore wind to green hydrogen: opportunity assessment - gov.scot ( www.gov.scot )
• Grey, Blue, Green-Why are there so many colours of hydrgen? - Grey, blue, green – the many colours of hydrogen explained | World Economic Forum ( weforum.org )

Written by Paris Wilson