The Hydrogen Stream: Russia unveils hydrogen strategy, Germany provides more funds for power-to-X
Russian primer minister Mikhail Mishustin.
Image: Tatarstan, wikimedia commons, https://bit.ly/3AtbT7d
On Monday, the Russian government unveiled its hydrogen strategy, which hinged on pilot projects for low-carbon hydrogen and the creation of consortia. “It also provides for the creation of at least three territorial production clusters. Northwest will specialize in the export of hydrogen to European countries and the implementation of measures to reduce the carbon footprint of export-oriented enterprises. Vostochny will supply hydrogen to Asian countries, as well as develop hydrogen infrastructure in the transport and energy sectors. Finally, the Arctic cluster is tasked with providing a low-carbon electricity supply to the Russian Arctic,” reads the document. The main focus will be on steam reforming of methane and coal gasification, combined with carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies. “The first stage is designed for the next three and a half years,” Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said in a meeting with other representatives of the government. The large export-oriented production facilities should start operations between 2035 and 2050. “The development of hydrogen energy will reduce the risks of losing energy markets,” concluded Mishustin.
In recognition of power-to-X (PtX) technologies, the German government recently underlined the role of fuels from renewable energy in air and sea transport. It considers the U.S., Australia, Chile, and Argentina the most promising countries for PtX, and confirmed its interest to make public funding available. “In their early stages, new technologies need financial support to get off the ground. This also applies to so-called PtL—power-to-liquid fuels. Alongside regulation, players in this market require assistance in the launch phase,” Federal Minister for the Environment Svenja Schulze said earlier this month. The Federal Ministry for the Environment is supporting the development at two different locations. The Lab in Lausitz should be opened at the end of August, while the Berlin Hub should focus on developing and emerging countries. The National Hydrogen Strategy includes a budget of €600 million which the Federal Ministry for the Environment will use to promote fuels derived from electricity for air and sea travel.
Emirate-based privately-owned special project vehicle company Helios awarded a contract to perform a technical study for a new green hydrogen and green ammonia project to German industrial engineering and steel production company ThyssenKrupp. This move suggests that years of climate diplomacy and a focus on hydrogen from the German government is paying off for German companies, which are expected to maintain a footing in the Middle East, banking on hydrogen-related opportunities. “A water electrolysis plant, as well as a facility for sustainable ammonia production, are planned to be constructed at Kizad in Abu Dhabi, UAE, based on ThyssenKrupp technology. It will be the first commercial plant to produce CO2-free green ammonia from renewable resources in the UAE,” reads the note released on Monday. The last months witnessed an increase in competition between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, also in the realm of hydrogen production. “We are building both on our innovative technology solutions as well as on ThyssenKrupp's regional and local footprint and long heritage as a partner to the region,” said Sami Pelkonen, CEO of the company's Uhde business unit.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) awarded US$1 million for a collaborative project between three U.S. companies – Southern Company Gas, Electro-Active Technologies, and T2M Global – to advance next-generation clean hydrogen technologies. The project seeks to develop low-cost renewable hydrogen generation for use in transportation and distributed energy applications. “We are excited for this opportunity to work with our partners and the DOE in advancing the wet waste-to-clean hydrogen pathway and to help bring the hydrogen economy to reality,” said Robin Lanier, renewable gas director for Southern Company Gas. The project targets distributed generation of hydrogen from food waste, diverting the waste from landfills.
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