What’s the hype around hydrogen?
If you have ever taken a chemistry class, you probably know how fundamental hydrogen is to the living world around us. However, it is also a source of clean energy: when combusted, the only products are water and heat, contrary to the greenhouse gas emissions produced when burning fossil fuels.
Because of this, it is considered to be a critical part of the green transition, especially in decarbonising hard-to-electrify sectors.
The current state
Today, hydrogen use is dominated by industries such as ammonia production, steel production and oil refining. But most of it is “gray” hydrogen, meaning it is formed via steam-methane reforming (SMR) from natural gas.
A cleaner alternative is “blue” hydrogen, which adds carbon capture and storage to the traditional SMR process to limit greenhouse gas emissions. And the cleanest option is “green” hydrogen, which is obtained by electrolysis with water, powered by renewable energy. But given the high costs of the electrolysis process, less than 1% of today’s hydrogen is green.
Advancing hydrogen
In order to transition away from natural gas and bring the costs of hydrogen down, we need to consider the economics of an integrated flexible energy system. Green hydrogen systems should be situated near solar and wind farms, where the cost of electricity generation is low. This requires perspectives such as those discussed in EIT InnoEnergy Master’s in Renewable Energy, which studies how renewables interact with clean gaseous fuels.
We also need to look for synergies in system planning across different energy carriers. Since hydrogen is cheaper to store than electricity, it has the potential to provide significant flexibility. This requires familiarity with energy storage systems, expertise that can be gained through EIT InnoEnergy the Master’s in Energy Storage.
A smarter grid
The opportunity for flexibility is key: strategically siting hydrogen projects near major electricity transmission routes creates an opportunity for power-to-gas installations, too. For example, producing hydrogen during times of surplus renewables and later providing flexibility in the form of ancillary services could provide another way for green hydrogen projects to recoup investment costs.
As part of my studies in EIT InnoEnergy Master in Smart Electrical Networks and Systems, we often discussed this point around the context of creating a smarter, greener grid. As the current high energy prices illustrate, the need for flexibility has never been greater. However, its effective implementation requires talented young professionals with a deep knowledge of the integrated energy system. The technical preparation – through my engineering courses – but simultaneous real-world orientation – through industry contact – of an EIT InnoEnergy Master’s programme has equipped me with this knowledge, ready to reap hydrogen’s potential.
EIT InnoEnergy’s investment in hydrogen doesn’t stop with its master’s programmes. The European Green Hydrogen Acceleration Centre (EGHAC) is an initiative led by the company which seeks to accelerate value chain cooperation and make green hydrogen a commercially viable solution for a vast array of industries. Such a booming field is an exciting place to start your career. Many EIT InnoEnergy students are a testimony fo this as they cooperate with EGHAC though internships, thesis projects and more. How about you? Will you also join the hydrogen wave?
by Emilia Chojkiewicz, EIT InnoEnergy Master School alumni