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28 July 2020, 07:11
Europe's hydrogen revolution and Ukraine's place in it
The historic event took place in Brussels on 8 July — Vice President of
the European Commission Frans Timmermans presented the EU Hydrogen
Strategy. This document has already been called the start of a new
technological revolution in Europe. Why revolution and what is
Ukraine’s role in it?
The EU Hydrogen Strategy calls for the “decarbonisation” of industry, transport, power generation and domestic consumption. It is an integral part of the European Green Deal, which aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. How will hydrogen help with this?
Today, hydrogen takes less than 1% of current energy consumption in Europe. We talk about so-called “grey” hydrogen, which is produced from mineral deposits. The cost of this type of energy is high, as well as air emissions due to its production. However, there are other ways to get hydrogen. For example, using renewable technologies such as solar, wind, hydro, bio-, and geothermal energy. This is the “green” hydrogen and it is to become the energy of the future. By 2030 the EU plans to create hydrogen electrolysis stations with a capacity of 40 gigawatts. This will produce up to 10 million tons of pure hydrogen. And by 2050, hydrogen should become the EU's main energy resource. The unique advantage of “green” hydrogen is that it is able to add flexibility into the energy system, as it separates power generation both in term of place and in terms of time, and can balance the supply and demand of electricity. To fulfil its ambitious intentions to transform Europe into a climate-neutral continent, the European Commission has announced the creation of the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance. The aim of this organization is to bring together energy sector leaders, civil society, the scientific community and the European Investment Bank to create an investment framework for clean hydrogen production and support the transition to clean energy in the EU.
“If we want to become the first climate neutral continent by 2050, our energy system needs to switch from fossil fuels to clean energy. It is not just about creating renewables; it is about creating a new system. In fact, we need a complete overhaul of the current energy system, which is quickly becoming a relic of the past: way too wasteful and way too rigid to be fit for a sustainable future”, - Frans Timmermans said.
The European Parliament is now calling on the European Commission and EU member states to remove regulatory barriers to the development of clean energy projects. 14 EU Member States have already included clean hydrogen plans to their national energy and climate policies. And 26 countries have signed the Hydrogen Initiative. The European Commission should also assess resources for the modernization of gas infrastructure for hydrogen transportation, as the use of natural gas is only transitional option and should be gradually reduced.
Immediately after the presentation of the hydrogen strategy in Brussels, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that the European Commission considers Ukraine a priority partner in the development of hydrogen energy. Ukraine has natural resources, the infrastructure, connected with European and technological basis. Ukraine is encouraged to join the Clean Hydrogen Alliance and to develop co-operation for production of renewable energy and hydrogen.
Ukraine will not be late
Chernihiv region is ready to take a leading role in piloting the production of “green” hydrogen in Ukraine. According to the Public Communications Department of the Chernihiv Regional State Administration, the Head of Chernihiv region Andriy Prokopenko addressed a letter to the acting Minister of Energy of Ukraine Olga Buslavets. He requests to choose Chernihiv region as a pilot for the implementation of an innovative project — to construct a plant for the production of biofuels and energy from industrial waste. The local company “TMM” is ready to set up the processing of solid domestic waste into synthesis gas with a high hydrogen content in the Chernihiv region. And the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine is considering the prospects of establishing a German-Ukrainian partnership in the production of “green” hydrogen. Germany, which took over the presidency of the EU Council in July, has already announced its ambitions to become one of the world leaders in the implementation of H2 technologies in various fields. And to fulfil its intentions, the country is ready to invest in new companies and research.
On July 17, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Ukraine and Germany had already held consultations on cooperation on hydrogen energy. The parties agreed to examine the possibility of using Ukraine's gas transportation system to transport hydrogen.
“Germany is expected to be one of the largest markets for hydrogen energy consumption, and Ukraine can become a reliable supplier of hydrogen to the EU, in particular to Germany. For Ukraine, this means investment in technology, the transportation system and profits from the hydrogen trade”, - Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said. He also added that hydrogen is not only economically important for Ukrainian economy and business, but also politically important for Ukraine.
The EU Hydrogen Strategy calls for the “decarbonisation” of industry, transport, power generation and domestic consumption. It is an integral part of the European Green Deal, which aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. How will hydrogen help with this?
Today, hydrogen takes less than 1% of current energy consumption in Europe. We talk about so-called “grey” hydrogen, which is produced from mineral deposits. The cost of this type of energy is high, as well as air emissions due to its production. However, there are other ways to get hydrogen. For example, using renewable technologies such as solar, wind, hydro, bio-, and geothermal energy. This is the “green” hydrogen and it is to become the energy of the future. By 2030 the EU plans to create hydrogen electrolysis stations with a capacity of 40 gigawatts. This will produce up to 10 million tons of pure hydrogen. And by 2050, hydrogen should become the EU's main energy resource. The unique advantage of “green” hydrogen is that it is able to add flexibility into the energy system, as it separates power generation both in term of place and in terms of time, and can balance the supply and demand of electricity. To fulfil its ambitious intentions to transform Europe into a climate-neutral continent, the European Commission has announced the creation of the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance. The aim of this organization is to bring together energy sector leaders, civil society, the scientific community and the European Investment Bank to create an investment framework for clean hydrogen production and support the transition to clean energy in the EU.
“If we want to become the first climate neutral continent by 2050, our energy system needs to switch from fossil fuels to clean energy. It is not just about creating renewables; it is about creating a new system. In fact, we need a complete overhaul of the current energy system, which is quickly becoming a relic of the past: way too wasteful and way too rigid to be fit for a sustainable future”, - Frans Timmermans said.
The European Parliament is now calling on the European Commission and EU member states to remove regulatory barriers to the development of clean energy projects. 14 EU Member States have already included clean hydrogen plans to their national energy and climate policies. And 26 countries have signed the Hydrogen Initiative. The European Commission should also assess resources for the modernization of gas infrastructure for hydrogen transportation, as the use of natural gas is only transitional option and should be gradually reduced.
Immediately after the presentation of the hydrogen strategy in Brussels, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that the European Commission considers Ukraine a priority partner in the development of hydrogen energy. Ukraine has natural resources, the infrastructure, connected with European and technological basis. Ukraine is encouraged to join the Clean Hydrogen Alliance and to develop co-operation for production of renewable energy and hydrogen.
Ukraine will not be late
Chernihiv region is ready to take a leading role in piloting the production of “green” hydrogen in Ukraine. According to the Public Communications Department of the Chernihiv Regional State Administration, the Head of Chernihiv region Andriy Prokopenko addressed a letter to the acting Minister of Energy of Ukraine Olga Buslavets. He requests to choose Chernihiv region as a pilot for the implementation of an innovative project — to construct a plant for the production of biofuels and energy from industrial waste. The local company “TMM” is ready to set up the processing of solid domestic waste into synthesis gas with a high hydrogen content in the Chernihiv region. And the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine is considering the prospects of establishing a German-Ukrainian partnership in the production of “green” hydrogen. Germany, which took over the presidency of the EU Council in July, has already announced its ambitions to become one of the world leaders in the implementation of H2 technologies in various fields. And to fulfil its intentions, the country is ready to invest in new companies and research.
On July 17, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Ukraine and Germany had already held consultations on cooperation on hydrogen energy. The parties agreed to examine the possibility of using Ukraine's gas transportation system to transport hydrogen.
“Germany is expected to be one of the largest markets for hydrogen energy consumption, and Ukraine can become a reliable supplier of hydrogen to the EU, in particular to Germany. For Ukraine, this means investment in technology, the transportation system and profits from the hydrogen trade”, - Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said. He also added that hydrogen is not only economically important for Ukrainian economy and business, but also politically important for Ukraine.