Renewable hydrogen will be the protagonist of the energy sector in 2023. Given the sustainable energy transition to achieve carbon neutrality and combat climate change, this alternative plays a key role in achieving a decarbonized and intelligent economy.
Spain is at the forefront because its geographical position and its infrastructure network, which will allow it to connect production centers with consumption centers, offer it unique opportunities in this new energy era.
In this sense, our country has five key strengths to position itself as the first green hydrogen hub on the continent:
A very relevant renewable generation potential A key geographical position A robust infrastructure network Collaboration with public administrations The necessary industrial capacities
Enagás estimates that our country has a production potential of between two and three million tons (2-3 Mt) of renewable hydrogen by 2030, a figure that will increase to 3-4 Mt by 2040.
Betting on green hydrogen, they explain from Enagás, will serve to promote industrial development, promote innovation and attract investment. Likewise, it will contribute to reducing emissions, improve air quality, encourage the application of renewable energies and, consequently, facilitate compliance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It will also help a just energy transition, create jobs and stimulate local economies.
Europe marks the path of renewable hydrogen
For the green hydrogen economy to become a reality, it is necessary to use a network that connects the production centers with those of demand.
For this, H2Med was born, the first renewable hydrogen corridor in Europe, which will be the starting point to position Spain as a hub for this energy vector. It includes two cross-border infrastructures: one between Portugal and Zamora and another submarine between Barcelona and Marseille (France). Both will be possible to transport hydrogen from the Iberian Peninsula to the countries of central Europe, such as Germany.
Specifically, this great corridor will have the capacity to transport up to 2 million tons of renewable hydrogen per year, 10% of the expected consumption in Europe in 2030.
The peninsula already concentrates a set of infrastructures that could be the starting point for the development of a hydrogen network
H2Med was presented by the TSOs (Transmission System Operators) of Spain, Portugal and France to the call for European Projects of Common Interest (PCI) on December 15. Enagás on the Spanish side, REN on the Portuguese side and GRTgaz and Teréga on the French side. Later, on January 22, the Government of Spain announced an agreement for Germany to join the project.
At the same call for European projects where H2Med was presented, Enagás also presented the first two axes of the Spanish Hydrogen Trunk Network. One of them includes the Cantabrian Coast Axis, Ebro Valley Axis and Levante Axis; and the other is the Vía de la Plata Axis with its connection to the Puertollano Hydrogen Valley.
Enagás intends to be a catalyst for the hydrogen market. “Our 50 years of history and experience as an operator of the gas network make us perfectly prepared to be an operator of the future hydrogen network”, they point out from the company.
Existing infrastructures, the basis of the future hydrogen backbone
One of the advantages of renewable hydrogen is that it can be transported and stored by existing gas infrastructures. So that “thanks to taking advantage of them, Spain can promote the energy transition at the lowest cost,” they say.
The peninsula is currently focused on a set of infrastructures that may be the starting point for the development of a hydrogen network. According to the European Hydrogen Backbone, “the cost of transporting hydrogen by tube over long distances is between 2 and 4 times lower than transporting electricity through high voltage lines for the production of hydrogen at the destination.”
To date, a coincidence of more than 80% has been demonstrated between the layouts of the current infrastructure network and the future hydrogen trunk network in 2040. In addition, Enagás has identified 30% of the gas pipeline sections to be converted into hydroducts, a percentage that could increase to 70% in the coming years.
This series of particularities shows that Spain meets the precise conditions to become a benchmark for green hydrogen in Europe.
MADE BY ALAYANS STUDIO This content has been produced by ALAYANS STUDIO, Henneo’s Branded Content unit.
