Hydrogen Power

Types of hydrogen

Depending on the production technology, several types of hydrogen are distinguished for 2022.

• "Green" hydrogen is produced by electrolysis of water. If electricity is obtained from renewable sources (RES) - hydrogen is as environmentally friendly as possible.

• Blue hydrogen is derived from natural gas. Carbon dioxide, as a byproduct, needs to be captured and stored.

• If carbon dioxide gas is released into the atmosphere during the production of hydrogen, then hydrogen is considered "gray."

• When using methane pyrolysis, hydrogen is considered "turquoise."

Hydrogen production

For 2022, on a global scale, 75% of hydrogen is produced from gas, since the cost of producing it compared to electrolysis is 3-5 times less. The cost of producing 1 kg of hydrogen with methane pyrolysis in the United States is about $1, if you add a carbon dioxide capture system, the cost will rise to $1.4. When using electrolysis, the cost will increase to $4.7-5.

In the retail network of gas stations in California, hydrogen costs $16-17 per 1 kg. This is still quite expensive compared to traditional fuel. But for 1 kg of hydrogen, a car can drive about 100 km. So with the current rise in fuel prices, parity could soon be achieved. This will seriously change the balance of the global fuel market.

The main potential for the production of "green" hydrogen is concentrated in Australia, the UAE, the USA, Russia, China and in the northwestern part of Europe.

Hydrogen production in Russia

Main article: Hydrogen production in Russia

Hydrogen fuel cells

Main article: Hydrogen fuel cells

The main component of the new energy storage and transmission system is hydrogen fuel cells.

Hydrogen transport

Main article: Hydrogen transport (cars)

History

2023: EU adopts Hydrogen Corridors programme

The "Hydrogen Corridors" program, adopted in Germany in March 2023, involves the use of 9,700 km of gas pipelines. Moreover, 5700 km are existing gas pipelines, most of which until recently were owned by the Russian Gazprom.

This is a huge infrastructure project, designed for decades. The first stage is supposed to be completed in 2030, the next - in 2040 and 2050. The project implies large-scale investments, the use of the most modern technologies for the storage and transportation of hydrogen.

The REPowerEU plan calls for the accelerated development of hydrogen infrastructure for the production, import and transportation of 20 million tons of hydrogen by 2030, of which it is planned to produce 10 million tons and import 10 million tons.

The European Commission has outlined the three most promising hydrogen import corridors through the Mediterranean Sea, the North Sea and, as soon as conditions allow, through Ukraine. Noteworthy is the point about Ukraine, which is planned to be used not only as a source of food, but also as a source of hydrogen. Most likely, the plan in relation to Ukraine involves the use of the potential of nuclear power plants for the production of hydrogen and the subsequent transportation of it to the EU.

A total of seven corridors are considered:

1. Iberian hydrogen corridor

2. North African Hydrogen Corridor

3. Adriatic hydrogen corridor

4. Southeast Hydrogen Corridor

5. Eastern Hydrogen Corridor

6. North Baltic Hydrogen Corridor

7. North Sea Hydrogen Corridor

The role of gas supplies as raw materials for hydrogen from the Mediterranean region will increase. On the shelf of Israel, Cyprus, Egypt, Libya, Algeria, oil and gas giants are actively exploring and producing, among which Chevron Mediterranean (a subsidiary of Chevron) stands out.

2022: Europe breaks off relations with Russia over Ukraine conflict and prepares for transition to hydrogen

Europe was chosen as the pilot region for a large-scale energy transition. Two weeks after the start of the conflict in Ukraine, the European Commission proposed to the EU countries a plan to abandon fossil fuels. The plan has certainly been prepared for a long time, and Russia's military special operation has become a catalyst for activating this process.

In 2022, hydrogen accounted for less than 2% of energy consumption in Europe and was used mainly for the production of chemical products such as plastics and fertilizers. 96% of this hydrogen was produced using natural gas, resulting in significant CO2 emissions.

In accordance with the plan, the EU plans to produce 10 million tons of hydrogen and import another 10 million tons of hydrogen by 2030. This involves the modernization of the entire EU energy system. The transition to LNG terminals, which is actively underway at this time, will allow using this infrastructure for the development of the hydrogen direction. From this point of view, the refusal of the EU from the supply of pipeline gas has logic, since hydrogen can represent an alternative.

But how realistic is that? One of the key issues on the agenda is can hydrogen replace oil and gas from Russia? Experts note the objective technical difficulties of the energy transition. Hydrogen is difficult to transport due to its high fluidity and low liquefaction temperature. We need specialized vessels. Their number should be sufficient to meet the needs of the EU. As an option, the transportation of hydrogen in the form of ammonia is considered. This simplifies the transportation process, and allows ammonia to be transported in the EU through ammonia pipelines. But ammonia is toxic and special plants with membrane filters or rare earth metal catalysts are needed to separate hydrogen. This will require the use of technologies that only large corporations have, such as BASF.

To monitor the ammonia situation, S&P Global Commodity Insights launched the Blue Ammonia index in test mode. This index tracks the estimated value of ammonia by regional markets, even where the ammonia market does not yet exist.

2021: Russian Government approves Hydrogen power Development Concept

In Russia, in 2021, the Government of the Russian Federation approved the Concept for the Development of Hydrogen power. The potential volumes of hydrogen exports from Russia can be up to 200 thousand tons in 2024, 2-12 million tons in 2035 and 15-50 million tons in 2050. The Technological Hydrogen Valley consortium has been created in Russia. It includes Gazprom Neft, SIBUR, Russian Railways, Severstal, Rosatom, TMK and a number of other companies.

Work is underway on pilot projects in the Tomsk, Sakhalin, Samara and Moscow regions. Gazprom Neft already produces more than 100 thousand tons of hydrogen at its facilities in 2022. By 2024, it is planned to increase production to the level of 250 thousand tons.

For Russia, this is a very promising market in which it has undeniable advantages in the form of energy resources and well-functioning industrial technologies. But in this emerging market, you need to occupy your niche. The vector of development of world power is changing. The United States and the EU are actively trying to use the eco-agenda to stop financing industries with a high carbon footprint. The ESG standard is introduced. These are the principles of sustainable development - ecology, social policy and corporate governance. The main goal of such a strategy is China, which will constantly try to accuse of violating environmental standards, wrote "Rybar." Paradoxically, the countries of Europe are also the goal of the United States. They will simply be forced to deindustrialize. If they cannot provide electricity and hydrogen generation using renewable energy, production will have to be closed.

Public opinion is formed, focused on achieving zero emissions. Economically, this will allow the United States, Britain and their allies to impose their energy standards and technologies on the world to ensure these standards.