Category: Hydrogen

Ecostore-H2 Storage Hydrogen 16-02-2023

Ecostore-H2 Storage Hydrogen

-Ecostore H2 gets €3.8m from PNR for storage and transport of Hydrogen

The Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security funds the national project “Ecostore H2,” which aims to develop eco-sustainable ultra-porous polymers and carbons for the storage and transportation of hydrogen.

The Institute for Composite Polymers and Biomaterials (IPCB) of the CNR of Portici (Naples) is a partner in the project. Ecostore-H2 Storage Hydrogen

In addition to the Cnr-Ipcb, the University of Sannio (Benevento), the Fiat Research Center (now in the Stellantis group), and SOL S.p.A., a company listed on the Milan Stock Exchange and a leader in the production and distribution of technical gases like oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen, are partners in the 36-month project, which has total funding of 3,800,000 euros and is coordinated by the University of Eastern Piedmont.

The goal is to create new ultra-porous materials that are stable, affordable, ecologically benign, and sustainable for the adsorption of hydrogen gas for use in large-scale distribution and automotive applications.

The project’s first kick-off meeting took place on Monday, February 13; according to Professor Leonardo Marchese, director of the Department of Science and Technological Innovation (DiSIT) of Alessandria, the challenges will be “the creation of new materials with the dual properties of safety and sustainability for the storage and transportation of hydrogen. Ecostore-H2 Storage Hydrogen

Due to the incredibly small molecular size and high volatility of this gas, it represents one of the most difficult scientific and technological difficulties. The project will move within the Green Economy, using secondary raw materials, such as plastic waste from construction waste and packaging, to obtain materials with adsorption properties compatible with the requirements of the US Department of Energy (DOE) for effective storage of H2 (40 g/L at 100 bar)”. Ecostore-H2 Storage Hydrogen

It will be necessary to use cutting-edge modeling-computational techniques, as well as the synthesis and characterization capabilities of materials that will be optimized on a laboratory scale, in order to meet the goals established by “Ecostore H2.” The development of the demonstrator, the validation of the product, and the development of industrial implementation strategies for the acquired products and processes, as well as for their commercial exploitation, will all benefit from the presence of two significant industrial realities. Ecostore-H2 Storage Hydrogen

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Ecostore-H2 Storage Hydrogen

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Nuclear energy – Green hydrogen 15-02-2023

Nuclear energy – Green hydrogen

-Nuclear energy included in EU’s new rules on green hydrogen

The European Commission on Monday proposed new rules under which hydrogen produced with nuclear energy is to be considered green.

Rather than being labelled as “renewable” though, hydrogen made using nuclear electricity will be termed as “low-carbon” hydrogen.

According to EU officials, there is “no place” for nuclear energy when producing renewable hydrogen, even if this low-carbon alternative will be allowed in the mix.

The new rules are part of two delegated acts that the European Commission has implemented, after a year-long delay. Nuclear energy – Green hydrogen

France had been pushing to include so-called red hydrogen – made using nuclear electricity – in the green rules, but there had been opposition from both Germany and Spain, with a compromise seemingly made to have the low-carbon alternative.

Kadri Simson, the European Commissioner for Energy, said the measures will allow for greater confidence in the emerging hydrogen market.

“Renewable hydrogen is a crucial component of our strategy for a cost-effective clean energy transition and to get rid of Russian fossil fuels in some industrial processes,” she said.

“Clear rules and a reliable certification system are key for this emerging market to develop and establish itself in Europe. These delegated acts provide much-needed legal certainty to investors and will further boost the EU’s industrial leadership in this green sector.”

There are no financial incentives for being labelled as either a renewable or low-carbon hydrogen, but member states can choose to give state aid to producers of either, according to EU officials. Nuclear energy – Green hydrogen

The rules have been welcomed by the industry, with Hydrogen Europe CEO, Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, saying they are crucial towards determining compliance with the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive targets, but could end up making things more expensive.

“A far-from-perfect regulation is better than no regulation at all. At last, there is clarity for industry and investors and Europe can kick-start the renewable hydrogen market,” Chatzimarkakis said.

“This comes at a critical time, with the USA setting a very high benchmark, with their Production Tax Credits, offered under the Inflation Reduction Act, attracting more and more investments towards their clean hydrogen market.”

However, some experts disagree, including Professor Samuel Furfari, a chemical engineer at the Free University of Brussels and European Commission official for over 36 years working on hydrogen, who told Euronews that the new rules are a waste of time.

“What the European Commission has just announced is a bureaucratic aberration that should be taught in universities as an example not to be followed,” Furfari said.

“It is a cannibalisation of the meagre green electricity that should be sent to the electricity grid. Nuclear energy – Green hydrogen

“It is strange that the European Commission continues to create a bureaucracy that will cannibalise the small amount of green electricity and ultimately fund Chinese companies, as the EU buys not only solar panels and wind turbines [from China] but also electrolysers.”

The European Council and Parliament will now have two months to assess the delegated acts, after which they can either accept or reject the rules. This period can be extended by another two months upon request.  Nuclear energy – Green hydrogen

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Air Liquide TotalEnergies Hydrogen 06-02-2023

Air Liquide TotalEnergies Hydrogen

-Air Liquide and TotalEnergies join forces to develop a network of over 100 hydrogen stations for heavy duty vehicles in Europe

Air Liquide and TotalEnergies announce their decision to create an equally owned joint venture to develop a network of hydrogen stations, geared towards heavy duty vehicles on major European road corridors. This initiative will help facilitate access to hydrogen, enabling the development of its use for goods transportation and further strengthening the hydrogen sector.

The partners aim to deploy more than 100 hydrogen stations on major European roads – in France, Benelux and Germany – in the coming years. These stations, under the TotalEnergies brand, will be located on major strategic corridors.

This agreement will lead to the creation of a major player in hydrogen refueling solutions and contribute to the decarbonization of road transportation in Europe. The two companies will combine their know-how and expertise in infrastructure, hydrogen distribution and mobility:  Air Liquide TotalEnergies Hydrogen

  • Air Liquide will contribute with its expertise in technologies and its mastery of the entire hydrogen value chain;
  • TotalEnergies will bring its expertise in the operation and management of  stations networks and the distribution of energies to BtoB customers.

The joint venture, which will be jointly managed by Air Liquide and TotalEnergies, will invest, build and operate these stations, as well as procure hydrogen from the market and dispense it to its transport customers.

Matthieu Giard, Vice President and Executive Committee Member of the Air Liquide Group, supervising the Hydrogen activities, underlines:

“Hydrogen offers clear benefits for heavy duty mobility. To promote its widespread use, it is imperative to accelerate the development of refueling infrastructures and to offer vehicle manufacturers and transport operators a sufficiently dense network of stations. It is precisely the ambition of this joint venture, which will benefit from the complementary expertise of Air Liquide and TotalEnergies. As a leader for over 60 years and with unique know-how and technologies, Air Liquide is a major player to accelerate and scale up the development of hydrogen, a key element for the emergence of a low-carbon society.” Air Liquide TotalEnergies Hydrogen

Thierry Pflimlin, President Marketing & Services de TotalEnergies, says:

“Following the recent signature of a partnership for the production of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen on our Grandpuits Zero Crude Platform, we are pleased to once again join forces with Air Liquide and continue our common efforts to decarbonize mobility. As pioneers in hydrogen mobility, we are convinced of the necessity to start building now a heavy-duty network that will benefit our customers. This new partnership with Air Liquide will enable us to continue our development across the entire hydrogen value chain.” 

The two partners plan to establish their joint venture in 2023, subject to the finalization of the appropriate contractual documentation and to the receipt of the necessary regulatory approvals. Air Liquide TotalEnergies Hydrogen

Air Liquide and TotalEnergies join forces to develop a network of over 100 hydrogen stations for heavy goods vehicles in Europe

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Air Liquide TotalEnergies Hydrogen

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Hydrogen cars

-Why hydrogen cars are not the answer

Imagine an electric car which has a range of 400 miles, can be refuelled almost as fast as a petrol or diesel car yet emits only water. Those are the upsides of a hydrogen fuel cell car (known as a fuel cell electric vehicle, or FCEV). So why aren’t they everywhere?

There is a dedicated core of FCEV supporters who insist that hydrogen-powered EVs are better than battery-powered EVs, and that the world is crazy for ignoring them. Unfortunately, a hydrogen fuel cell offers few advantages over a battery, with several deal-breaking disadvantages.

The problems that show no sign of really being overcome include cost, lack of infrastructure and relative inefficiencies in delivering hydrogen to customers.

But let’s start with a bit of background into FCEVs.

What’s a hydrogen car?

A hydrogen fuel cell car is a type of electric vehicle, using a similar electric motor system to drive the car as used by a battery electric vehicle. The key difference is how the electricity is generated and stored.  Hydrogen cars

In a battery electric vehicle – which is any EV you can currently buy on the market – the electricity to power the car comes from an external source (usually the national electricity grid) and is stored in a large battery, most often placed along the floor of the car underneath your feet.

In comparison, a hydrogen fuel cell car is fuelled with hydrogen from a fuelling station, in a similar way to filling a petrol car. The hydrogen is then used to create electricity on the go to power the electric motor.

How a hydrogen fuel cell car works

In simple terms, a fuel cell car consists of several pressurised fuel tanks which supply what is known as a fuel cell stack. The stack is made up of individual cells which each produce less than one volt of electricity, so hundreds of them are connected together to produce the necessary voltage to power the electric motor.

The fuel cell generates electricity by forcing hydrogen to react with oxygen. The only output is water.

Hydrogen is used because it’s a great energy carrier, meaning a small amount can release a lot of energy to drive the vehicle. That also means hydrogen is highly explosive if it leaks, which is why you inevitably read and see references to the 1937 Hindenberg airship explosion anytime anyone mentions hydrogen-powered cars.

However, that was 86 years ago and a lot has changed about how hydrogen is used and stored. Hydrogen cars

Modern hydrogen fuel tanks are just as safe, if not safer, than petrol tanks (another highly explosive product we are quite happy living with on a daily basis). They typically have a carbon fibre shell surrounded by a glass fibre layer. They can withstand double their normal operating pressures and are surrounded by sensors.

Tiny choice, high price

Car makers who have already built production hydrogen fuel cell cars have tended to be those who want to showcase their technical expertise rather than make a profit from them.

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Why hydrogen cars are not the answer

Hydrogen cars

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