The energy market is evolving, driven by climate goals and related demand for renewable energy and growing interest in hydrogen as an energy carrier. Part 3 of our Energy Transition Talks podcast series features CGI experts Martijn Frints and Tom van der Leest on the promising role of hydrogen in the new energy market, including the challenges and opportunities of moving toward an integrated, green hydrogen economy. This article provides a summary of the discussion.
It is a highly challenging period for the energy market. Fluctuating energy costs and net-zero greenhouse gas ambitions are accelerating the move to greener energy. However, growth in renewable energy and distributed energy sources, predicting consumption and productions patterns is becoming increasingly difficult.
Pivotal role of hydrogen
The seasonal and unpredictable nature of solar and wind energy has heightened the focus on energy storage, and at the same time, is bringing market flexibility into sharp focus. Here's where hydrogen can play a potentially pivotal role.
Hydrogen is an energy carrier. This means it provides the opportunity to store and transport energy from where it is produced to where it is needed, adding a new dimension to energy market management. Currently, the bulk of hydrogen produced is mainly from fossil fuels such as natural gas, which is used as feedstock in chemical processes. This type of hydrogen (called grey hydrogen) releases carbon dioxide into the air and has a significant carbon footprint. The focus for the future, is on a more sustainable form of hydrogen called green hydrogen. Green hydrogen uses electricity from renewable energies to split water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis. No CO2 is produced in this method, making it the "cleanest" form of hydrogen fuel. Read more on Hydrogen | CGI.com
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