Promoting the hydrogen supply chain

CLEAR THE AIR

HYDROGEN • AN EFFICIENT HYDROGEN SUPPLY CHAIN WILL BE VITAL IF INDUSTRY IS TO MEET AMBITIOUS CLIMATE CHANGE TARGETS; SEVEN BUSINESSES ARE EXAMINING THE POTENTIAL IN BELGIUM

BELGIUM HAS SET set itself the ambitious target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 80 per cent of their 2005 levels by 2050. Increased use of hydrogen will be an important element in achieving that target as Belgium lacks the wind and solar energy potential to make the necessary difference.

In order to help bring the hydrogen supply chain to fruition, seven major industrial players and public stakeholders are joining forces. Deme, Engie, Exmar, Fluxys, Port of Antwerp, Port of Zeebrugge and WaterstofNet have agreed to work together, sharing resources and expertise. A joint study will provide a basis from

THE PORT OF ANTWERP HAS ALREADY SIGNALLED A

MOVE TO ALTERNATIVE ENERGY WITH AN ORDER FOR which to coordinate delivery of concrete projects that shape the production, transport and storage of hydrogen.

Hydrogen is regarded as a suitable carrier for renewable energy, being readily produced wherever there is surplus electricity; it can then be moved and be used either as a way of releasing that power or directly as a fuel in industrial or transport applications. This new hydrogen supply chain will demand an efficient and economic solutions for the import, transport and storage as well as specific expertise, which is where these key seven businesses come in.

TOGETHER WE STAND The first phase of the collaboration will consist of the partners making a joint analysis of the entire hydrogen import and transport chain. The aim of this is to map the financial, technical and regulatory aspects of the various components in the logistics chain: production, loading and unloading and transport by sea and by pipeline.

It is hoped that the outcome of this analysis is a roadmap that indicates the best way to transport hydrogen for the various applications in the energy and chemical sector. The results are due to be finalised in one year.

Ports will play an important role in any form of hydrogen supply chain. Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of the Port of Antwerp, explains: “We want to give every chance to hydrogen as an energy carrier, as basic element for chemistry and as a fuel, and therefore commit ourselves as an active pioneer of the hydrogen economy. As Europe’s largest integrated chemical cluster, we are an important link in this. We also look at collaboration with spearhead clusters and knowledge institutions and want to learn from this hydrogen coalition for our international ambitions.”

The work will also lean on the expertise of local shipping companies. “As an international transporter of natural gas, LPG, ammonia and other petrochemical gases, Exmar is also focusing on the future,” says Nicolas Saverys, CEO of Exmar. “We want to help investigate how the hydrogen gas transport chain can be developed in the most efficient and economic way. This way, our long-standing expertise in the transport and transformation of gas in the safest way can support all initiatives for the large-scale use of hydrogen gas.”

The scope of the project is broad and its results may well have effects across the industry. Adwin Martens, director of WaterstofNet, sums up the sentiments well: “We are particularly pleased that a number of strong parties will bring their expertise together on the theme of large-scale import, transport and storage of hydrogen. This collaboration offers important perspectives for a further large-scale rollout of hydrogen applications.” www.waterstofnet.eu