Spain aims to be a leader in renewable energy production, especially green hydrogen. The podcast discusses the production of green hydrogen in Spain, transportation and scalability, government support, and the potential of green hydrogen in Spain.
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Quick takeaways
The reliance on solar energy for hydrogen production limits its efficiency during nighttime, posing a major hurdle for companies investing in green hydrogen in Spain.
Proximity between companies in Portiano, Spain allows for direct and cost-effective delivery of hydrogen, highlighting the importance of economically viable transportation in the green hydrogen industry.
Deep dives
Spain's Race to Produce Green Hydrogen
Spain is positioning itself as a global leader in renewable energy, particularly in green hydrogen production. However, one major obstacle companies face is the reliance on solar energy for hydrogen production. The need for sunlight to generate electricity required for hydrogen production limits its efficiency during nighttime. Nonetheless, companies like Fertiberia are investing heavily in green hydrogen to become net-zero by 2035. They aim to produce fertilizers using air, renewable energy, and water, and have already achieved around 10% green fertilizer production. The competitiveness of green hydrogen production, coupled with the demand from companies like Heineken and PepsiCo to decarbonize their products, offers significant opportunities.
Transporting Green Hydrogen and Storage Challenges
One challenge in the green hydrogen industry is the economically viable transportation of hydrogen. In Portiano, Spain, Fertiberia and Iberdrola benefit from being in proximity, allowing for direct and cost-effective delivery of hydrogen through a small pipeline. Additionally, Iberdrola has invested in multiple green hydrogen plants, storing up to seven tons of hydrogen, providing three days of autonomy for their facilities. The issue of storage highlights the need for a reliable and steady supply of renewable energy, which is not yet fully achievable. Nonetheless, companies like Iberdrola are investing heavily in green hydrogen projects, with costs reaching $175 million for their combined plants in Portiano and Ambalos.
The Viability and Potential of Green Hydrogen Industry
While green hydrogen presents a promising opportunity for decarbonization, there are concerns regarding its viability and profitability. Without a steady and reliable 24/7 renewable energy supply, achieving competitive pricing and sufficient production for green hydrogen becomes challenging. Energy experts and researchers emphasize the need for clarity on production capacity and costs to determine the feasibility of the green hydrogen market. However, companies like Fertiberia and Iberdrola, backed by investments from the Spanish government and the European Union, are determined to tap into the potential of green hydrogen and use it as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and climate change mitigation in Spain.