Energy supply with hydrogen enables the UN climate protection goals to be achieved
author Added by FuelCellsWorks, November 03, 2017
During the COP 23 in Bonn, the “Multitalent Hydrogen” campaign shows how this is possible
Multitalented hydrogen (H2) ushers in a new and clean energy era
Hydrogen, fuel cells and renewable energy are important pillars of the future supply of energy and climate protection
Hydrogen is the key for achieving decarbonisation and the integration of sectors
Germany and Europe support hydrogen and fuel cell technologies within the scope of public-private partnerships
Bonn, 05.11.2017 –At the 23rd UN World Climate Conference commencing in Bonn tomorrow, a main focus will be on deepening and further defining the Paris climate protection agreement. By 2018, when the climate agreement is to take effect, all signatories must have defined binding guidelines on how greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced, how society can be protected against climate change and simultaneously be led into a sustainable future. Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies along with the implementation of renewable energy in a system that connects the power, heat and transport systems with each other can make an important contribution in this regard.
Hydrogen as the key factor for a sustainable energy system
Hydrogen can, just like petrol, diesel or natural gas, be implemented as a fuel for mobility and heating. It can be used for the long-term storage of surplus power from renewable sources. And as a carbon-free source of energy, it is capable of decarbonising industry. As such, it can become the key factor within a sustainable, integrated energy system of the future.
For quite some time already, hydrogen has been an important raw material for production processes in many branches of industry. In contrast, to date it has been used less so as a fuel for transport or a source of energy for heating. Yet hydrogen allows both of these energy sectors to dramatically reduce their emissions and can thereby help make their necessary contribution to achieving the set climate goals. Unlike fossil-based fuels, hydrogen can be produced with no emissions when made with renewable energy: using wind or solar power to conduct and electrolysis process, water can be split into its chemical element components of hydrogen and oxygen without any emissions.
Unbeatable together: fuel cells and hydrogen
Hydrogen can be converted to power most efficiently in the energy-converting fuel cell. In combination, they can be implemented wherever power or heat is required. Hydrogen can be used to power fuel cell vehicles such as passenger cars, buses or trains. Such vehicles drive without releasing any pollutant emissions. The only by-products that are released into the environment are pure water and heat. Fuel cell vehicles have a comparable range to conventional vehicles and can be refuelled in just a few minutes at hydrogen refuelling stations. Because not only power but also heat is produced in fuel cells, they are therefore not just suitable for deployment for transportation purposes but also for the supply of energy in buildings. Fuel cell heating systems are highly-efficient heat and power systems that are today already available for purchase from several manufacturers. Furthermore, due to their quiet, zero emission operation, fuel cell systems deliver benefits over conventional systems in areas of application that include logistics with material handling vehicles, emergency power systems for telecommunications applications as well as in control centres.
Expansion of renewable energy is a prerequisite for climate protection
In order to be in a position to reach the UN climate goal of limiting global warming to less than 2° Celsius this century, energy production using renewable sources must be expanded throughout the world. This is a crucial prerequisite towards the almost complete decarbonisation of the supply of energy by 2050. As other sectors such as agriculture or specific branches of industry including steel and cement production can only reduce their emissions to a limited extent, the power, heat and transport sectors must fully convert to renewable sources, with hydrogen and fuel cells as the link.
The technical maturity of climate-friendly technologies such as the fuel cell has now been reached. The challenge for the broad market introduction now lies in the reduction of unit costs, the development of profitable fields of business and in the adjustment of the regulatory framework conditions. The positive economic and business effects of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, as documented in many studies, have led to substantial public-private activity in Germany and Europe. Organisations such as the National Organisation Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NOW), on a national level, and the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU), on a European level, have supported the development of the technology in the diverse fields of application for more than a decade. With their specialist know-how and being positioned at the crossroads of politics, research, business and society, these organisations are jointly paving the way towards the hydrogen era.
MULTITALENT HYDROGEN campaign
Multitalent Hydrogen is an information campaign on hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, which was organised by the National Organisation Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NOW), the EnergieAgentur.NRW, the European industry association Hydrogen Europe and the European public-private partnership Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU). The campaign accompanies the 23rd UN World Climate Conference (COP 23), which takes place in Bonn, Germany, 6-17 November 2017. It pools information, events and activities dealing with the climate-friendly possibilities of hydrogen and fuel cells in diverse areas of application and supply of energy. Over a period of two weeks, all conference participants in Bonn will have the opportunity to learn more about the potential of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies for achieving the climate goals. Throughout the entire conference, signs featuring the Multitalent H2 logo will highlight events or activities taking place on the subject of hydrogen. The www.mulitalent-h2.com website gives an overview of all events and activities as well as providing various information materials for download.
QUOTES
Dr. Klaus BONHOFF, Managing Director and Spokesperson of the National Organisation Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NOW):
“All hydrogen and fuel cell technology areas of application – be it for mobility or stationary needs or for special energy supply requirements – are currently being developed with immense technical effort and financial support. The resulting products are being tested to withstand the rigours of day-to-day use in numerous demonstration projects. Their technical market readiness has been confirmed. It’s now a matter of cost effectiveness.”
Dr. Thomas KATTENSTEIN, Head of the Fuel Cell, Hydrogen and Electric Mobility Network North Rhine-Westphalia, EnergieAgentur.NRW:
“As an energy state, North Rhine-Westphalia recognises a special responsibility in the area of climate protection. Politics, science and industry work together towards developing solutions that not only promote the electrification of transport – on roads, rail, water and in the air – as well as heating, but also the deployment of clean, climate-neutral fuels that can be produced using green energy from renewable sources.”
Jorgo CHATZIMARKAKIS, Managing Director of the European industry association Hydrogen Europe (HE):
“Renewably produced hydrogen and highly-efficient energy convertors such as fuel cells are both future-oriented and climate-friendly. They produce power and heat with zero emissions and can deliver a complete supply of energy. Hydrogen and fuel cells hereby contribute to enabling the simultaneous expansion of renewable energy with an increase in overall energy efficiency.”
Bart BIEBUYCK, Managing Director of the European public-private partnership Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU):
“Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are indispensable for moving towards being in a position to reach the goals set in Europe for energy efficiency and supply security over the coming decades. Europe is a pioneer in the development and application of this very promising energy technology and the European Commission provides funding support towards the development of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, which not least benefits the global climate.”
National Organisation Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NOW)
NOW is a programme management association of the German federal government for sustainable mobility and energy. It is responsible for the coordination and management of the National Innovation Programme Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP), the Elektromobilität vor Ort funding programme for local electric mobility, and the Förderrichtlinie Ladeinfrastruktur funding guidelines for recharging infrastructure of the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI – Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur). All three are programmes to prepare the technologies for market readiness or to accompany market introduction. In addition, NOW also undertakes interdisciplinary tasks. Among these are international cooperation activities, communication at the crossroads of politics, industry and science along with public relations work to raise the awareness of the technologies and associated products. On behalf of the BMVI, NOW also supports the further development of the German Mobility and Fuel Strategy (MKS – Mobilitäts- und Kraftstoffstrategie).
EnergieAgentur.NRW
On behalf of the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia, the EnergieAgentur.NRW functions as an operative platform with broad expertise in the field of energy: from energy research, technical development, demonstration, market launch and energy consultancy to continuous vocational training. The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen, Electric Mobility Network NRW (Netzwerk Brennstoffzelle und Wasserstoff, Elektromobilität NRW) was founded in 2000 as a part of the EnergieAgentur.NRW and brings together experienced and new players in the field of fuel cell and hydrogen technology to jointly promote development and market introduction. The network now has around 450 members and over 100 project partners from the area of electric mobility.
Hydrogen Europe (HE)
Hydrogen Europe is the leading European industry association representing more than 110 companies (both large and SMEs), 68 research institutes and eight national associations, working to make hydrogen energy an everyday reality. Hydrogen Europe is a partner of the European Commission within the public-private Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU), which aims to accelerate the market introduction of these clean technologies in the energy and transport sectors.
Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU)
The Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) is a unique public private partnership supporting research, technological development and demonstration activities in fuel cell and hydrogen energy technologies in Europe. Its aim is to accelerate the market introduction of these technologies, realising their potential as an instrument in achieving a carbon-lean energy system. Fuel cells, as an efficient conversion technology, and hydrogen, as a clean energy carrier, have a great potential to help fight carbon dioxide emissions, to reduce dependence on hydrocarbons and to contribute to economic growth. The objective of the FCH JU is to bring these benefits to Europeans through a concentrated effort from all sectors. The three members of the FCH JU are the European Commission, the fuel cell and hydrogen industries represented by Hydrogen Europe and the research community represented by Hydrogen Europe Research.
