INSPIRATION
Producing hydrogen from renewable sources of energy helps in achieving large-scale decarbonization. Using RES to produce green hydrogen eliminates the carbon emissions typically prevalent in conventional hydrogen production from fossil fuels. Solar energy presents options for hydrogen production, for example, through photocatalytic water splitting or thermochemical water splitting. By using solar concentrators in these arrangements, startups achieve high levels of radiation to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. In addition,wind turbines also contribute to green hydrogen production through electrolysis. Coupled with fuel cells or hydrogen carriers, renewable sources allow for effective power demand response. Although at a smaller scale currently, some companies do utilize hydropower to produce hydrogen.
US-based startup HiSeas Energy develops offshore wind turbines to power electrolyzers. The HiSeas Free-Floating Offshore Wind Turbine (FFWOT) platform provides a low-cost,low-mass, and stable platform for turbines up to 40 MW. Energy delivery to shore is completed using liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC), with green hydrogen supplied from the electrolysis of water. Each electrolysis/LOHC platform is
attached to HiSeas’ turbines via ocean bottom power cables.
German startup HY2GEN utilizes solar energy to produce green hydrogen. The startup’s project SUNRHYSE powers a 30 MW electrolysis plant using green electricity via solar panels. In the process, the startup supplies hydrogen for the mobility and maritime sectors. The aim of this project is to enable competitive pricing of hydrogen, ensure transportation and distribution, as well as establish power storage facilities to supplement the grid. HY2GEN is involved in several other projects, like HYNOVERA that synthesizes e-fuels through biomass gasification, or JANGADA, which synthesizes bio-methanol through green hydrogen.
