Hydrogen - production
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Conventional hydrogen
Refers to hydrogen produced by various processes that use fossil fuels (76%, global production). However, such hydrogen production methods generate CO2 emissions - above 5.8 kg CO2 eq/kg H2 when using natural gas and above 10 kg CO2 eq/kg H2 when the primary energy source is coal.
Low-emission hydrogen
It is hydrogen produced from energy sources with a carbon footprint of less than 5.8 kg CO2 eq/kg H2. A conventional hydrogen production installation can be modified to produce low-emission hydrogen by:
changing/supplementing the raw material with a renewable one (e.g. biomethane),
CO2 capture and storage, e.g. in rock formations (CCS – Carbon Capture and Storage),
capture and use of CO2, e.g. for chemical syntheses (CCU – Carbon Capture and Utilization).
Renewable hydrogen is produced:
By electrolysis, water in an electrolyzer powered by electricity comes from renewable sources or in the process of reforming biogas or biomethane or biochemical conversion of biomass, provided that the requirements of sustainable development are met.
During its production, CO2 emissions remain low, below 1 kg CO2 eq/kg H2. An additional advantage of this technology is the ability to obtain very high purity of the obtained gas (99.999%).
Electrolysis
To produce 1 kg of hydrogen, approximately 9 liters of water and approximately 50 kWh of electricity are required.
Production of one million tons of green hydrogen through electrolysis may require ~50 TWh/y of electricity (offshore farm ~11 GW)
The assumptions of the Polish Hydrogen Strategy are approximately 2 GW of power in electrolysers (~0.32 million tons of renewable hydrogen per year).
The production of green hydrogen requires significant amounts of electricity from renewable sources.
The 2020 EC report assessed the technical possibilities of generating energy from renewable energy sources in individual countries, based on currently available technologies.
The production cost is a component of the final cost of hydrogen, including, among others: logistics and storage costs. It is forecast that in 2030, hydrogen production in an electrolyzer may cost, depending on the energy cost and electrolyzer technology, between USD 1.5 and 4/kg, which will allow it to compete with conventional and low-emission hydrogen. The projected decrease in the unit cost of CAPEX USD/kW for electrolysers is expected to contribute to reducing the cost of hydrogen produced in the electrolysis process. The main cost of production using an electrolyzer is the cost of MW of green electricity.
Poland has the 6th renewable energy technical potential in Europe at the level of ~900 TWh/year. This potential is mainly based on the possibility of generating wind energy at sea and on the conditions of the Polish Baltic coast.
Hydrogen from other sources
Renewable hydrogen can also be obtained from biomethane in a proven manner using the commonly used reforming technology. Although this is another energy conversion, a simpler solution for transport or energy seems to be the direct use of compressed or liquid biomethane, but such a process may be justified for the use of such hydrogen, e.g. as a raw material for the chemical industry.
Hydrogen - utilization
Hydrogen is best used locally, which significantly reduces the costs and energy losses associated with its transport and logistics.
Local use includes both the generation of electricity and heat using fuel cells, as well as the construction of refueling stations for vehicles powered by this fuel.
According to Fit for 55, hydrogen refueling stations are to be built along the TEN-T network by 2030 every at least 150 km with dispensers of at least 700 bar. The share of green hydrogen and synthetic fuels in transport is expected to be 2.6%.
For trucks and buses, in 2030 it is expected that 10% of newly sold trucks over 16t will be powered by hydrogen cells and 2% of newly sold buses.
Implementation of the assumptions requires hundreds of new hydrogen refueling stations.
The debate around the hydrogen economy comes down to the economic aspects and energy efficiency of hydrogen solutions. At the same time, hydrogen projects can count on increasing regulatory and financial support.
In this context, having optimal locations for implementing hydrogen projects in the investment portfolio seems rational, especially in the long-term horizon of the decarbonization strategy.
Our offer for hydrogen projects
Providing the best locations using intelligent GIS algorithms, according to personalization of parameters defined by the investor, depending on their availability in Poland, or
Location analysis for a potential hydrogen investment,
The right to land under defined conditions,
Technological concept in cooperation with leading technology offices with experience in hydrogen in Poland,
Full pre-design documentation, including environmental documentation, necessary connection conditions for utilities, easements, access and any other necessary to implement the investment in a given location,
Full legal service of the process, with protection of regulatory risks,
Carrying out the required planning transformations and obtaining administrative approvals necessary to start the investment, including building permits,
Other required support from the investor or land owner.
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