Renewable hydrogen ‘the best hydrogen strategy’

The signatories to the initiative called on the European Commission to make the ‘right choices’ for Europe’s upcoming energy system integration and hydrogen strategy, harvesting the full potential of renewable electricity to fully decarbonise Europe.

The initiative urges that, amidst the Covid-19 crisis and its economic implications, Europe prioritises the most efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective pathways to decarbonise its economy.

Direct electrification will be the primary means for decarbonising heating and road transport, they said, but there are other hard-to-abate sectors – such as some heavy industry, long-haul road transport, aviation, and shipping – where direct electrification is insufficient. Here renewable hydrogen will play a key role as the most cost-effective and sustainable solution for full decarbonisation.

Hydrogen produced in Europe via electrolysers powered by 100% renewable electricity, such as solar and wind, has zero greenhouse gas emissions or other pollution, increases the EU’s energy security, and, when produced by grid-connected renewables, presents an optimised form of sector coupling, they said.

WindEurope chief executive Giles Dickson said, “Renewables are nearly half our electricity now. But electricity is only a quarter of our total energy consumption. The rest is mostly fossil and less efficient than electricity.

“We need to electrify as much of this other energy as we can. And wind will be key. The EU Commission and IEA say it will be half of Europe’s electricity by 2050.

“But we cannot electrify everything. Some industrial processes and heavy transport will have to run on gas. And renewable hydrogen is the best gas. It is completely clean. It will be affordable with renewables being so cheap now. And it will be energy made in Europe creating jobs and growth in Europe. Hydrogen in the recovery package? Yes, but make it renewable hydrogen!”

The Choose Renewable Hydrogen initiative currently includes 10 companies and associations: Akuo Energy, BayWa re, EDP, Enel, Iberdrola, MHI Vestas, SolarPower Europe, Ørsted, Vestas and WindEurope.

Riviera will host a week of free to attend 45-minute webinars focused on offshore wind commencing 8 June. Register your interest now