Spain is ramping up green hydrogen production - but can its renewable energy sector keep up?
But critics warn of risks of entering a ‘hydrogen bubble’.
With an abundance of sun and wind, Spain is positioning itself as Europe’s future leader in green hydrogen production.
But some energy sector experts express caution over ramping up an industry that would be reliant on huge increases in renewable power.
Currently, most hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels. So-called 'green' hydrogen is produced using renewable energy - such as wind, solar and hydropower.
Here's why the EU is doubling down on green hydrogen, how Spain is involved, and why some are critical of this 'fuel of the future'.
Why is green hydrogen production important in Europe?Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the hydrogen sector has taken on greater importance in Europe.
Russia is the world’s second-largest producer of natural gas, which powers most global hydrogen production. With sanctions in place, the European Union is refocusing on intra-bloc supply chains for its energy needs.
“Renewable energy, including renewable hydrogen, is a central pillar of the REPowerEU Plan, which is the EU’s strategy to get rid of Russian fossil fuels as soon as possible,” says EU Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson.
As well as bolstering energy security, green hydrogen is important in the EU's push for net zero. By 2030, the bloc is attempting to cut emissions by 55 per cent compared to 1990 levels.
As part of this, it has proposed that the EU produce 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen by 2030 and to import 10 million tonnes more.
Spain, France, Germany and Portugal have agreed to build a hydrogen pipeline by 2030 to transport some 2 million tonnes of hydrogen to France annually.
How is green hydrogen made?Green hydrogen is created when renewable energy sources power an electrical current that runs through water, separating its hydrogen and oxygen molecules through electrolysis.
The process doesn’t produce planet-warming carbon dioxide, but less than 0.1 per cent of global hydrogen production is currently created in this way, according to the IEA.
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However, hydrogen is more commonly made in a process called steam-methane reforming. This typically uses methane (CH4) from natural gas. Hydrogen atoms are separated from carbon atoms using high-temperature steam and pressure. 'Grey' hydrogen, carbon monoxide and CO2 are produced in the process.
The separated hydrogen can be used in the production of steel, ammonia and chemical products, all of which require industrial processes that are harder to wean off fossil fuels.
Hydrogen can also be used as a transportation fuel, which could one day transform the highly polluting shipping and aviation sectors.
Spain’s large, windswept and sparsely populated territory receives more than 2,500 hours of sunshine on average per year, according to the state weather agency. This provides ideal conditions for wind and solar energy, and therefore green hydrogen production.
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