Contact

Hydrogen in climate protection: Class instead of mass

By

July 21, 2021

Image titel:

Sources:

Hydrogen in climate protection: Class instead of mass

Prof. Dr. Claudia Kemfert
Prof. Dr. Claudia Kemfert

SRU formulates recommendations to policy-makers

For hydrogen to contribute to climate protection, it should be produced in an environmentally friendly way and used sparingly. This is what the German Advisory Council on the Environment (SRU) recommends in a new statement. Accordingly, the market ramp-up should focus on green hydrogen from the outset and be subject to strict sustainability criteria. In the Council’s view, the use of hydrogen only makes sense in certain areas.

Advertisements

As the combustion of hydrogen is locally emission-free, it is currently often considered as a climate protection option. Currently, hydrogen in Germany and worldwide is primarily produced from fossil raw materials, especially natural gas. High CO2 emissions are released in the process. In addition, methane is emitted during natural gas production and transport, a greenhouse gas that is about 84 times more effective than CO2 (based on 20 years). This so-called gray hydrogen is therefore out of the question for climate protection.

Only green hydrogen can be sustainable

Some stakeholders are therefore calling for the use of natural gas-based blue hydrogen. In this process, the emitted CO2 is partially captured and stored (carbon capture and storage, CCS). In the view of the German Advisory Council on the Environment, however, this is not a recommendable technological path. The CO2 cannot be completely captured; the methane emissions in the upstream chain cannot be prevented either. Moreover, CO2 storage is associated with environmental and health risks. Blue hydrogen is not available in the short term because the corresponding infrastructure for CO2 transport and storage is lacking and would have to be newly built.

Substantial investments in technologies and infrastructures would be needed, which are not compatible with the future greenhouse gas-neutral economy. In the SRU’s view, investments and state funding instruments should address green hydrogen exclusively from the outset. This plays an important role in the future energy system and can be produced from water by electrolysis without greenhouse gases using renewable energies such as wind and solar energy.

Minimize the environmental impact of H2 production

The production of green hydrogen requires large amounts of renewable electricity, as it involves high conversion losses. One third of the energy used in electrolysis is lost at current efficiencies. The losses are even higher for downstream products of hydrogen such as synthetic methane, synthetic fuels, or ammonia.

Renewable energies also have negative environmental impacts: large areas of land, raw materials and high amounts of water are consumed. This is all the more serious with hydrogen production, as significantly more energy is required than for direct electricity use due to the conversion losses. Accordingly, the effects of energy production also increase significantly. In order to minimize environmental impacts and social consequences, clear requirements should apply to hydrogen production from the outset.

Green hydrogen remains scarce and valuable

If the market ramp-up for green hydrogen in Germany is to succeed, the expansion of renewable energies must be massively accelerated. In the SRU’s view, the slump in wind energy expansion is particularly problematic and requires timely solutions. If no new and additional solar and wind energy plants are built for the production of hydrogen, the development of the hydrogen economy will even lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions in the energy system. The opinion therefore shows that the criterion of additionality must be ensured.

… Read more in the latest H2-International e-Journal, May 2021

Authors:

Prof. Dr. Claudia Kemfert, Sophie Schmalz – both from the German Advisory Council on the Environment and German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin)

Alexander Franke, Gregor Jaschke – both from the German Advisory Council on the Environment

Kategorien: Germany

Here are interesting and current articles on the topic of hydrogen – stocks and the stock market!

Economic prospects for companies in the hydrogen sector | Future, stocks & hydrogen companies on the stock exchange and more…

Which hydrogen companies will prevail in the competitive market in the long term? Get tips and cartwheels and learn more about risks or opportunities. Our stock market specialist and expert author Sven Jösting reports critically, independently and competently.

Mar 11 2024

On the way to becoming a green hydrogen partner

Oman aims to score points with H2 infrastructure Wind, sun and loads of expertise – these...
Mar 07 2024

We can master a scale-up for green hydrogen

Interview with Dr. Kai Fischer, Director at RWTH Aachen The efficient scaling of green hydrogen...
Mar 07 2024

Frustration over continuing uncertainties

Interview with Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe There is a lot that needs sorting out...
Mar 05 2024

“If ever there was momentum for hydrogen, it is now”

Interview with Dr. Jochen Köckler, chairman of Deutsche Messe “We’re bringing people together.”...
Feb 28 2024

H2Direkt: Blueprint for heating with pure H2

The energy providers Thüga und Energie Südbayern (ESB) as well as Energienetze Bayern have...
Feb 26 2024

Just switch over?

Hydrogen in the existing natural gas network Whether hydrogen contributes to the clean heating...
Feb 26 2024

Pilot plant for coating bipolar plates

At Fraunhofer FEP (Fraunhofer-Institut für Organische Elektronik, Elektronenstrahl- und...
Feb 20 2024

55 MW electrolyzer to decarbonize Saarland

Hydrogen Regions series: HydroHub Fenne living lab The power plant site in Fenne, Völklingen, a...
Feb 20 2024

Chicken feathers as FC membrane material

Feathers from chickens or other poultry could in the future help make fuel cells more effective...
Feb 15 2024

SMEs demand more security

Guest article by André Steinau, CEO of GP Joule Hydrogen After all, the Ampel Coalition leading...
Feb 15 2024

Accelerated expansion of renewable energies

RED III is here – Elsewhere, the wait continues Progress is being made at EU level – albeit...
Feb 12 2024

Picea 2 relies on lithium instead of lead

HPS presents new product generation The company HPS Home Power Solutions has unveiled a new...
Feb 12 2024

H2 production by photocatalysis

The direct generation of hydrogen from sunlight has long been considered the most elegant solution...
Feb 05 2024

Regional instead of international

Hy-Fcell has it difficult asserting itself The aspiration of Landesmesse Stuttgart with Hy-Fcell...
Feb 01 2024

Hydrogeit Verlag turns 20 years old

Hydrogeit Verlag is proudly celebrating its 20th anniversary as a renowned specialist publisher in...
Jan 26 2024

Stracke other H2Now managing director

BMV Energy GmbH is entering the market as another player in hydrogen refueling stations. The...
Jan 26 2024

Starting points for a comprehensive hydrogen ramp-up

Industry congress GAT 2023 in Cologne To establish a functioning hydrogen economy, the entire...
Jan 26 2024

The industry highpoint in autumn

Hydrogen Technology Expo total success In autumn 2023 as well, the Hydrogen Technology Expo was...
Jan 22 2024

New management for the northern real-world lab

Obituary for Professor Werner Beba Mike Blicker will be the new project coordinator of the...
Jan 22 2024

Axel Funke moving to Apex

The Apex Group is expanding its management team from five to six people. Starting the new year,...

0 Comments

Leave a Reply