Europe proceeds to switch on the ‘machine of the future’, so 10 tons of futuristic energy lands in America. Finding new forms of renewable energy is crucial to combat climate change and global warming that has plagued the world. For this reason, grants are being launched for innovative renewable energy and storage projects.
Renewables are a type of energy whose origin is in natural sources that are replenished faster than they are consumed. A clear and widely used example is sunlight and wind. They are abundant and can be found in any environment, defines the United Nations (UN). Through its website, the international body has recognized that the energy sector is both the basis of the climate change problem and a vital factor in its solution.
The production of energy through the burning of fossil fuels (such as coal, oil and gas) releases a large amount of greenhouse gases (GHG), so the solution lies in replacing the use of fossil fuels with renewable energy sources.
Europe offers a different kind of energy for America
Europe has already commissioned the continent’s largest electrolyzer, which produces up to ten tons of renewable hydrogen per day. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre inaugurated the 24 MW renewable hydrogen plant in the Herøya industrial park, the largest of its kind in Europe.
The hydrogen is generated through the electrolysis process of water and renewable energy, replacing natural gas as a raw material and lowering the site’s CO2 emissions by 41,000 tons per year. A few weeks ago, Yara International inaugurated Europe’s largest electrolyzer in the industrial park on the peninsula of Herøya, Norway.
It was manufactured by the British company ITM Power. This 24-megawatt proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer was initially sold to Linde Engineering and was involved in the complete plant design hand in hand with Yara. Since last September, this electrolyzer has been generating up to 10 tons of renewable hydrogen per day.
It also manufactures fertilizer (ammonia) from renewable energy using Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology.
“The commissioning of the 24 MW electrolyzer is an important milestone for Yara and for the decarbonization of value chains in the food industry, shipping and other energy-intensive sectors,” states Svein Tore Holsether, president and CEO of Yara, as recorded on Yara’s website.
Europe brings 10 tons of the most futuristic energy: hydrogen to America
Hydrogen is generated through the electrolysis of water using renewable energies and replacing natural gas as a raw material. This allows approximately 40,000 tons of CO2 emissions to be reduced annually at the site. Fertilizers produced and supplied with a low CO2 footprint will be part of a new portfolio called Yama Climate Choice.
These proposals are good for crops and contribute to the decarbonization of the food value chain. In addition, Yara will also incorporate fertilizers based on low-carbon ammonia, generated with the help of carbon capture and storage (CCS), into its portfolio.
“Renewable ammonia is a key piece in the decarbonization puzzle, but industrial scale-up takes time. 2030 is close, which is why we are also working on low-carbon ammonia production with CCS to facilitate the hydrogen economy and develop emerging markets for low-emission ammonia,” says Hans Olav Raen, CEO of Yara Clean Ammonia.
All in all, Europe marks a significant step towards sustainability with these 10 tons of futuristic energy, demonstrating the incredible potential of hydrogen that has been in the news for so long.
