Change of Directions Hydrogen Newsletter 10.05.2023
This week we report about an important technology breakthrough for the production of hydrogen from saltwater, and why California is moving logistic companies to hydrogen.
There is no doubt any more that hydrogen is the most significant part of moving away from fossil fuels. We have enough wind and solar at our disposal to create more than enough hydrogen to fuel our lives and the economy. One problem, though, is the amount of water that is needed to produce hydrogen. While some countries have enough space for solar and wind farms, they lack access to water. A good example of this is the Middle East. The access to seawater does not help because you have to desalinate this water before you can use it in an electrolyser. But desalination facilities pose an environmental threat.
But there is good news. Scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have developed a technical concept and design for a hydrogen generation plant optimized for use at sea. The “OffsH2ore” project aims to define a technically and economically optimized design for an integrated offshore hydrogen production plant using proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis, including the transport of the compressed hydrogen gas to land.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2023/04/27/fraunhofer-ise-produces-hydrogen-through-pem-electrolyzer-with-seawater/
This is good news indeed, even if it will take a couple of years for the technology to be available on an industrial level. However, it will enable more countries to produce more hydrogen in a shorter amount of time and in an environmentally safe way. This will help Europe to fulfill their goals to become CO2-net zero because countries like Morocco and Algeria will be able to use this technology and pump more hydrogen to Europe. There are already studies showing that Morocco will play a critical role in the future.
https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/05/355293/cwp-global-hydrogenious-lohc-study-viability-of-morocco-europe-hydrogen-transport-chain
The acceleration of worldwide hydrogen production is mainly due to the demand from heavy industries. Cement and steel manufacturers are looking into opportunities to lower their CO2 emissions as soon as possible, since CO2 prices will go up in the next ten years. There is only one facility that produces green steel currently, but the Hybritt steel factory in Sweden is already very successful. They have secured deals for green steel for about 2 billion dollars.
https://www.hydrogeninsight.com/industrial/green-hydrogen-breakthrough-sweden-s-h2-green-steel-signs-three-supply-contracts-worth-more-than-2bn/2-1-1444277
Picture: Cummins
Two weeks ago we spoke with René-Christopher Wollmann, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Quantron about the new internal combustion engine from Toyota, which uses hydrogen instead of gasoline or diesel (click here to listen). Now the engine manufacturer Cummins has also revealed a similar engine, but for heavy-duty trucks. Cummins announced the testing of hydrogen internal combustion technology in July 2021, and has impressive early results, already achieving production power and torque targets (over 810 ft-lbs torque and 290 hp from the medium-duty engine). Additional testing on Cummins’ more advanced prototypes will begin soon.
https://www.h2-view.com/story/cummins-displays-hydrogen-internal-combustion-engine-at-act-expo/
There is some pressure on the truck and logistics industry to drop their diesel engines. California just announced that the state will not allow any fossil fuel powered heavy or light trucks by the end of 2045. At first glance, this looks like a very generous time frame. But trucks have a much longer service life than a passenger car, and since they are produced in smaller numbers, the development cycle is longer. On average, there is a truck designed from scratch every 12 years. As a result, developers and companies don't have much time to adjust to the new regulations.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2023/04/28/california-to-only-allow-zero-emission-trucks-in-the-state-by-2045/?sh=7a192b005bd9
If you missed it: Change of Directions Podcast with Nikola Motors’ CEO Michael Lohscheller.
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