Is white hydrogen the answer to our energy transition?

In 2023, renewable energy sources reached a new peak, supplying 44% of the European Union's electricity, a significant increase from the previous year and marking the first instance of surpassing the 40% threshold, according to Ember’s European Electricity Review 2024 released on Wednesday.

This surge was primarily fueled by significant contributions from wind and solar power, which together accounted for an unprecedented 27% of the EU's electricity production, up from 23% in 2022.

Solar energy installations saw a remarkable growth in 2023, with 56 GW added, surpassing the 41 GW added in 2022, although the annual increase in generation of 36 TWh did not reach the 48 TWh surge seen in 2022.

Wind energy also marked a significant achievement by exceeding gas power generation for the first time, with an increase of 55 TWh over the previous year.

There was also a 19% reduction in fossil fuel power generation, equivalent to 209 TWh, in 2023, bringing its share below one-third of the EU's electricity mix for the first time. Similarly, emissions from the EU power sector decreased by 19%.

A decrease in fossil fuel usage benefitted from a drop in electricity demand, though it cautioned that this trend might not persist as the move towards electrification progresses.

The transformative period for the EU's power sector, urging against complacency. We should be deeply focus on the swift expansion of wind and solar energy, along with enhancing system flexibility, to achieve a fossil-free energy landscape.

Up next is the recent uncovering of white hydrogen in France has left researchers astounded, positioning it as a potential key energy source for Europe.

Amid the ongoing energy discourse amplified by the war in Ukraine since February 2022, hydrogen has stepped into the spotlight as a pivotal solution to diminish Europe's reliance on Russian gas imports.

Both Spain and France have initiated investment strategies to enhance this energy form. However, the question remains: Could it be the future energy solution for Europe?

Despite warnings from research that hydrogen fuel might escalate energy costs and may not be as eco-friendly as presumed, the interest in hydrogen, especially the newly highlighted 'white hydrogen,' continues to grow. This variant presents a new, cleaner energy alternative for Europe, stirring curiosity around its benefits and drawbacks.

Hydrogen has been known since its discovery in 1766 by Henry Cavendish, a British scientist. It is colorless, tasteless, highly flammable, and acts as an energy carrier, allowing for the storage and transportation of energy.

Hydrogen types vary based on their production process, leading to different color classifications: grey (from natural gas), green (from renewable sources), black (from coal), pink (from nuclear energy), and blue (from carbon capture techniques). Grey hydrogen, despite being the most prevalent with 62% of global production in 2022, is criticized for its environmental impact, contributing to 2% of global carbon emissions.

Green hydrogen, produced through electrolysis using renewable energy, offers a more eco-friendly alternative but at a higher cost. The challenge lies in the need for significant solar and wind power infrastructure to make green hydrogen a feasible option.

The exploration of white hydrogen, a naturally occurring form of hydrogen, has introduced a new dimension to the energy debate. Discovered in Mali in 1987 and found in European regions like Lorraine, France, this form of hydrogen is extracted directly from underground, offering a potentially sustainable and direct energy source.

Despite the conclusion of the Regalor Project in December 2023, ongoing research across Europe aims to uncover more sources of this natural hydrogen, which could have significant geopolitical implications for global energy distribution.

Hydrogen's role within the European Union's energy framework is evolving. With only 8% of global hydrogen production in 2022, the EU is making strides through initiatives like the Gas Package and the Bank of Hydrogen to support green hydrogen projects.

However, challenges persist in integrating various hydrogen forms into Europe's energy mix, with ongoing debates around the impact on renewable energy development and the specifics of utilizing white hydrogen.

In conclusion, Europe is poised for a notable upsurge in solar power generation in 2024, reflecting the continent's ongoing commitment to renewable energy sources. Meanwhile, the decline in power generation from fossil fuels is anticipated to persist, albeit at a diminished pace relative to the substantial reductions witnessed in 2023. This moderated decrease, amounting to a 60 TWh reduction, is attributed to a marginal rise in Europe's overall power demand. This scenario underscores the shifting dynamics of Europe's energy landscape, where renewable energy sources, particularly solar power, are gaining prominence, while the reliance on fossil fuels is gradually diminishing, albeit facing temporary fluctuations in the rate of decline.