Developing a new clean energy system – What’s past is prologue

What’s past is prologue–  taken from from William Shakespeare’s, The Tempest, Act 2, Scene 1

Our current fossil fuel-based energy system is broken, it is being held together by flawed economic tape and is taking us down a dead end road. We must recognise that this past is not sustainable, history sets the context for the present and we have to embark on a journey towards a clean energy future, one where it is essential to acknowledge the significance of green hydrogen as a pivotal component.

We must stop procrastinating and move beyond our dependence on fossil fuels, look to the potential of green hydrogen to revolutionise our energy landscape, embark on a global journey towards a clean energy future, and position green hydrogen as the pole star by which to navigate our journey to net zero.

Hydrogen Ireland believes that Green hydrogen is poised to play a vital role in the transition to a clean energy future. As we move forward, it is essential to address the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by this promising technology. By harnessing the full P2X potential of green hydrogen, we can create a more sustainable, low-carbon energy system that benefits both the environment and the economy.

As we develop a roadmap for a successful transition, building upon the foundation of green hydrogen, it is essential to build a solid foundation:

1. Continuously invest in research & development, fund and support R&D initiatives to improve the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and scalability of green hydrogen technologies.
2. Develop new energy models for a new energy economy, encourage collaboration between governments, industries, and academia to share knowledge, resources, and risks.
3. The transition will be people powered therefore we must train and educate a workforce with the necessary skills to design, operate, and maintain green hydrogen infrastructure and technologies.

These foundations will support a phased transition enabling the deployment of a short, medium and long-term road map:

Short-Term (2025-2030):

Short term actions to optimise the production and use of hydrogen to complement current energy delivery in achieving system resource efficiencies.

1. Develop pilot projects and demonstration sites such as the EU Hydrogen Valleys. These large-scale pilot projects will demonstrate the feasibility and scalability of green hydrogen production, transportation, and utilisation.
2. Further develop and deploy greater hydrogen infrastructure developments such as an EU wide network of hydrogen refuelling stations, prioritising high-demand areas such as transportation hubs and industrial zones.
3. National Governments must accelerate policy an regulation to support the  transition to a hydrogen economy. Further development and implementation of supportive policies, incentives, and regulations will encourage investment, research, and development in the green hydrogen sector.

Medium-Term (2030-2040):

Medium term actions to harness the effectiveness of hydrogen through fuel cell technology, its applications and where they deliver benefit for the global economy and people.

1. Delivering commercialisation in green hydrogen production and scaling up infrastructure to meet growing demand, driven by declining costs and increasing economies of scale.
2. Lead on transportation sector adoption of green hydrogen utilisation. This can be achieved by encouraging the adoption of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and hydrogen-powered transportation, focusing on high-mileage fleets and public transportation.
3. Promote the use of green hydrogen in industrial processes, such as steel production, cement manufacturing, and chemical synthesis.

Longer-Term (2040-2050):

Longer term actions building on the efficiencies and effectiveness achieved in the previous phases, focussing on delivering enhancements through advanced hydrogen technologies and delivering the clean energy system for sustainability.

1. Develop and deploy large-scale hydrogen-based energy storage systems to stabilise and enhance the effectiveness of the grid and address intermittency issues associated with renewable energy sources.
2. Seek technologies and applications to integrate green hydrogen into power generation, enabling the production of low-carbon electricity and heat.
3. Governments should seek to enhance global cooperation and standardisation. This can be achieved through activities such as fostering international cooperation to establishing common standards, regulations, and best practices for the production, transportation, and use of green hydrogen.

By following this roadmap, we can create a clean energy future with green hydrogen at its core, driving economic growth, reducing emissions, and improving energy security.

Conclusion

In conclusion as we start our journey to create a new clean, green energy economy. Yes, we must recognise and accept the flaws in our fossil fuel-based economy, one that has taken our planet to the edge of climate destruction. Now is the time to build anew, to recognise that we have a once in a generation opportunity to create something more unique, more beautiful, sustainable and to provide foundations for many generations yet to come.