HYDROGEN ENERGY Eternal clean energy

Generating and using energy in a way that does not harm the environment. It is something on which work has been going on for years, but this green vision of the future now seems more realistic than ever. Where a number of sustainable forms of energy have proved successful and where capacity is being scaled up, other forms of energy are still in their infancy. This is the time to join forces, to apply and combine knowledge and skills from different sectors. Together we are responsible and together we can make a difference. In terms of sustainability and in terms of HSEQ.

In a series of articles we outline the current and future image of sustainable energy. We do this together with partners. In this first article we focus on Neptune Energy Netherlands and talk about hydrogen energy. This is a much discussed topic within the energy transition and the climate agreement. Global efforts are being made to limit global warming and drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. In 2050 this must be reduced by 95%.

Can hydrogen live up to expectations?

Hydrogen is also called the darling of the climate agreement. Expectations are high and several studies and pilots are underway to determine what role hydrogen can play in the energy transition and in achieving climate targets. Can hydrogen live up to expectations? This will be demonstrated by promising pilots.

What exactly is hydrogen?

Unlike many other forms of renewable energy, hydrogen is not an energy source, but an energy carrier. This means that hydrogen must be produced first. This can be done in various ways, producing green, blue or grey hydrogen. Green hydrogen is the most climate-neutral form of hydrogen discussed in this article. There is also grey hydrogen, in which hydrogen is produced by transforming natural gas. However, this also releases CO2, so this form of hydrogen does not contribute to reducing CO2 emissions. Blue hydrogen is generated in the same way as grey hydrogen. The only difference is that the CO2 is stored in empty gas fields.

We only consider green hydrogen as clean energy. In order to obtain green hydrogen, it must be extracted from water via electrolysis. This is how the idea arose to start a pilot project offshore as well, because there is water and there is wind energy. This is an initiative of TNO and Nexstep in cooperation with the industry, including Neptune Energy. Neptune's Q13a platform was chosen as the location, as it is the only green electrified platform in the Dutch part of the North Sea. Neptune Energy Netherlands is working with partners on the pilot, called PosHYdon. This is the first offshore green hydrogen pilot in the world.

Why choose hydrogen energy?

The use of hydrogen energy offers several advantages. First of all, existing infrastructure can be reused, which makes a considerable difference to the costs of using other renewable energy sources.

In addition, it is possible to find a better match between supply and demand, and waste from wind energy can be prevented. Hydrogen can be stored on a larger scale than electricity. That makes it extremely interesting. In Summer, for example, solar panels generate a lot of electricity, which we do not all need at that time, but which can be very useful in the Winter period. It is possible to store solar energy on a small scale, although that requires large, expensive batteries. For this reason, too, the future use of hydrogen is preferable. In addition, it is possible to import and export hydrogen in order to make a major leap forward in the field of renewable energy on a global scale.

"Conducting pilots is not only essential for the further development of renewable energy, it is also necessary to identify safety and health risks," says Pier van Spronsen. Pier is founder of HSElife NL and HSEQ Direct, advanced systems that he and his team use to reduce workplace-related accidents worldwide. "Hazards are always on the horizon in high-risk workplaces. Knowing these risks and knowing exactly what to do in the event of incidents can save lives. What makes pilots so valuable is that knowledge and experiences can be shared and that we learn from them."

What does the Neptune and partners pilot project PosHYdon involve?

The pilot is a first step towards a low-CO2 future and a more integrated energy system in the North Sea. The pilot will take place on Neptune's Q13a platform off the coast of Scheveningen, on which shipping containers will be placed to house the green hydrogen production facilities. The ideal thing about the size of these facilities is that it will also fit on most offshore platforms in the future. A realistic roll-out to other existing platforms is being carefully considered.

Preparations are in full swing, after which the pilot setup is expected to be active in 2022. This starts with pumping seawater upwards to the hydrogen container placed on the offshore platform. The seawater will first be demineralised. The electricity that will be used for electrolysis will be wind energy from Eneco's Luchterduinen, which is still being brought to the platform by land and cable. In the future, platforms may be powered directly by wind turbines. As soon as the water is demineralised, it can be split into hydrogen and oxygen by the electrolyser in the container. The oxygen will be discharged in a safe way. The green hydrogen will be mixed in existing gas export pipelines and exported to the mainland where it can be incorporated into Gasunie's network.

The purpose of the hydrogen pilot

The aim of the PosHYdon pilot is to test and increase knowledge in the field of producing green hydrogen on offshore platforms and then transport it to land. The lessons learned from PosHYdon will be applied in the next steps towards large-scale green hydrogen production at sea.

"We see the opportunities of green hydrogen as part of our future energy supply. That is why we immediately embraced the PosHYdon pilot project. With this innovative pilot, we will be the first energy company in the world to test the offshore production and transport of green hydrogen in the Dutch part of the North Sea," says Lex de Groot, Neptune Energy Netherlands.

Safety culture in the hydrogen sector

Working offshore, explosion hazards, working with hazardous substances, working in confined spaces and applying personal protection equipment. Just a few factors that can influence safe operations in the hydrogen sector. "There have been some great strides, but the application of hydrogen is still in its infancy compared to other forms of sustainable energy. However, many hazards are similar to hazards and risks we see in other energy sectors. That makes collaboration and using the same sources of knowledge together even more important. There is still so much to gain when it comes to working safely and creating safe and healthy working environments. We really need to do this collectively. It is with good reason that we have founded HSElife NL and HSEQ Direct. They are proven systems packed with information, knowledge and practical tools to support companies where professionals work in high-risk environments," says Pier van Spronsen.

Who can use hydrogen?

Hydrogen can be used for heat (households and businesses), for mobility, as a raw material and for high temperatures in the industry. It is likely that green hydrogen will initially be used where the sustainability gains are greatest. That is in the industry. However, this does not mean that other sectors will have to wait until it is their 'turn'. That is where the best possible available (partly) sustainable solutions can be used. Preparations can also be made for when hydrogen becomes available for mobility and the built environment.

Who does what?

Various parties are involved in the PosHYdon pilot. To start with, the pilot was initiated by TNO, Nexstep and the industry. TAQA and EBN are partners involved in the platform. Gasunie, DEME Offshore, Eneco, NOGAT and Noordgastransport are consortium partners. Thanks to the cooperation between these parties, the right forces have been combined. In terms of knowledge and experience, but also in terms of innovation, facilities and logistics.

The role of hydrogen in the future

It is with good reason that the whole world is following Neptune's pilot project closely. The results of this first offshore hydrogen platform could be a kick-start. Hydrogen is expected to play a major role in the future energy sector. This applies not only to the industry, but also to mobility and the built environment. It is certainly conceivable that heat and appliances in our homes and business premises will be powered by hydrogen in the future. Just like our means of transport. But for now, this is all in the future. As soon as the pilot makes clear what can and can’t be done, we will be able to implement it and then increase capacity worldwide. It is clear that we are working on global cooperation to make full sustainability possible.

Become a partner?

"The Netherlands is in a strong position to lead the transition to a hydrogen economy. We have the North Sea for wind and gas production, the ports as logistics hubs, the industrial clusters that want to switch to green molecules and an excellent infrastructure for transport and storage. Everything comes together nicely in the Netherlands. If we want to achieve our climate targets, we need a large-scale hydrogen infrastructure in good time. This pilot could be an important step in the right direction.”

We will continue to closely monitor the hydrogen developments, as well as all other developments in the field of renewable energy. In the following articles we pay attention to the future of geothermal energy, solar energy, bioenergy, wind energy and hydro energy. Would you, as an organisation, like to contribute to one of these articles? We would like to hear from you via info@thewatgroup.com

Sources: https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/prinsjesdag/belangrijkste-maatregelen-prinsjesdag/klimaat https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/klimaatverandering/klimaatbeleid https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/duurzame-economie/overheid-stimuleert-co2-opslag Webinar ‘De Strijd om Waterstof’ from klimaatakkoord.nl