The global economy might decarbonize much more rapidly than anticipated due to various projects and initiatives taken to tap green H2 as a clean alternative. While there have been projections made over the last few years, the world had never thought that the journey might get easier. Arguably, the challenge has been finding innovations that could make the use of hydrogen cost-effective and viable. Indeed, good progress has been made, but with the launch of new projects, the earlier projected timelines might be reduced considerably.
A project called Southern California Gas has been hailed as the mother of all sustainable green H2 projects. Dubbed, Angeles Link, the project will leverage considerable wind and solar resources in California to help produce sustainable green H2. More precisely, the project will use wave energy harvesting devices, floating solar panels and also co-located offshore systems of electrolysis. When all these begin operating, the project will undoubtedly be one of the biggest in the US.
With its large capacity and unique technologies, the Angeles Link is expected to help in driving deep decarbonisation. Most importantly, it will be useful in reducing unwanted carbon emissions from hard-to-electrify industries and heavy-duty transportation activities specifically in the Los Angeles Basin. All these were highlighted in a recent update about the project that was released on February 17th 2022. It is estimated that the green hydrogen produced by the project will help replace diesel generators that have been contributing significantly to huge carbon emitted to the atmosphere.
Another project that will also accelerate global decarbonisation efforts is a Big Green H2-Enabled Decarbonisation Plan for Aircraft. In the project, the major idea that will be explored over the coming years is the technology of burning hydrogen gas in airborne combustion engines. The idea is taking shape with great strides already made to advance and make it a reality. If it succeeds, it will tremendously reduce carbon emissions from aircraft that traditionally have been using carbon-emitting fuel.
In the aircraft project, four leading companies namely Safran Aircraft Engines, Airbus, GE and CFM International have agreed to work together. Their major aim is to ensure that the idea is implemented and scaled up rapidly. Activities around major technologies in this area, including fuel cell aircraft and others, are already making good progress. The major aim in all these efforts is to soon test a flight powered by a direct combustion engine that is fuelled by hydrogen. According to the project implementers, their major target is to begin operating a zero-emission aircraft by the year 2035.
The other third major project that will boost the efforts to reduce carbon emissions targets the maritime sector. In this area, ship owners including ABB and Ballard are working to decarbonize sails using wind-powered devices, hydrogen fuel cells and ammonia. But that’s not all! There’s work going on that aims to scale up fuel cells to a 3-megawatt range that’s similar to 4,000 horsepower. Such a great capacity is enough to power a ferry and even large ships. The work began in the year 2018 and the concept was recently approved by DNV giving a green light for partners to move to the next phase.
Overall, the three projects are seeking to reduce carbon emissions in industries, air and the sea, there’s no doubt that the quest to achieve zero emissions might soon be achieved. While there are challenges, the emergence of new technologies solving most of these hurdles makes the whole idea of replacing fossil fuels with hydrogen achievable sooner than later. Once the emissions associated with industries, shipping and aircraft and reduced, that will be a very significant milestone ahead.
