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Renewable Energy
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Cost competitiveness is the main challenge for wide spread use of green hydrogen
Road to decarbonisation
DNV’s Technology Progress Report highlights the role of green hydrogen technologies in meeting decarbonisation targets.
NV IN A recent research report, titled Technology Progress Report, has come to observe how the adoption of new energy transition technologies can help in achieving emissions reduction targets. The Technology Progress Report, a new supplement to DNV’s annual Energy Transition Outlook, has identified the role of green hydrogen in decarbonising manufacturing and energy production, over the next five years. Remi Eriksen, group president and CEO of DNV says,“The world needs to transition faster to a deeply decarbonised energy system, reducing emissions by around 8% each year, to ensure an energy future compliant with the 1.5degree ambition set under the Paris Agreement. This urgent and complex challenge requires full energy system thinking: understanding the timeline and interdependencies of technologies, policies, and the difficult decisions that need to be made.” According to the report, hydrogen economy is on the rise, and DNV expects that the global demand for hydrogen as an energy carrier will grow from zero in 2019 to 24 EJ/ yr in 2050. The primary utility of the green hydrogen technologies will be in the
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manufacturing and transport sectors, besides its primary use in fertiliser production or as feedstock. Green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis, when a water molecule (H2O) is split into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) by applying an electric current. The four main green hydrogen technologies are Alkaline Electrolysis (AE), Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM), Solid Oxide Electrolysis (SOE) and Anion Exchange Membrane. DNV is involved in numerous projects which apply these technologies, and keeps track of recent developments. AE is the most mature electrolysis technology, largely used to improve conductivity, when mixed with potassium hydroxide (KOH), or for making fertilisers. PEM electrolysers are used to produce commercial hydrogen and are largely used pressurised, with a quick response time and 30% higher cost than AE, but with better efficiency. SOE is recognised for its high operating temperatures (500900°C) and higher efficiency, but it has a low maturity level, compared to AE and PEM, and uses steam instead of liquid water. AEM is the least developed procedure and still in the process of development but
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seems promising, since the design is similar to that of PEM, but does not require the same raw materials. The Technology Progress Report discusses at length, the uses of green hydrogen and some smart alternatives. SOE increases the lifetime of the stack, improves capacity, and reduces cost. While electrification is a good replacement for carbonintensive energy carriers, and a better alternative than green hydrogen; it is generally suited for low and medium heating temperature processes (below 100°C). Hydrogen can also be implemented by replacing or retrofitting natural gas burners, while the rest of the process equipment remains largely unchanged. Green hydrogen is the most sustainable and carbonfree option and supports the business case of renewable energy. The upscaling and cost reduction of renewable energy and electrolysis will render green hydrogen more userfriendly. The research report predicts that after about a decade, say in 2035, when renewable resources are abundantly available, the production of green hydrogen will see a significant increase, helping sustained decarbonisation in future. ■ www.technicalreview.me
