The civilized world is looking for a replacement for fossil fuels. Coal, oil, and gas are the cause of energy dependence and pollution.
To achieve energy independence and climate neutrality, more and more countries are switching to alternative energy sources and carbon-free technologies. No one is surprised by the use of solar and wind power plants, biogas plants, energy-efficient smart technologies, and passive houses.
The world is looking for new energy sources. Hydrogen is in the spotlight. It is considered the fuel of the future. It can replace traditional fuels and does not cause CO2 emissions.
This is a promising opportunity to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and decarbonize the economy, develop exports and joint hydrogen projects with the EU, and most importantly, become energy independent and strengthen its sovereignty. All government agencies involved in this issue take this into account in their development strategies.
What is the power of hydrogen?
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. At the same time, hydrogen has a much higher energy intensity than natural gas, oil, or coal. Unlike traditional energy resources, the product of hydrogen combustion is only water. That is, hydrogen is a unique energy source that does not emit CO2.
It is in “green” hydrogen, i.e., produced through “clean” energy, that a universal recipe for achieving climate neutrality is seen. Hydrogen is used to heat homes, generate electricity, ammonia, methanol, iron and steel, refine oil, and as a fuel for transportation.
Hydrogen is a global mainstream
Hydrogen is not a dream prospect, but real projects in the world’s leading countries. They are developing strategies and building low-carbon economies. This industry has already started on a global scale. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), hydrogen accounts for about 2.5% of the world’s final energy consumption.
Japan became the first country to approve a national hydrogen energy development strategy in 2017. There are about 7,500 cars and 120 buses with hydrogen fuel cells and about 160 hydrogen filling stations.
The first fleet of hydrogen fuel cell trains started operating in Germany. The largest pure hydrogen plant in Europe is being built in the Netherlands. There are more than 100 pilot and demonstration projects for the use of hydrogen in shipping, and projects with a total potential capacity of almost 3.5 GW by 2030 have been announced in the energy sector.
The United States has announced incentives for the production of clean hydrogen under the Inflation Reduction Act, unveiled an ambitious hydrogen strategy with an implementation plan, and invested $66 billion in hydrogen projects in 2023 alone.