{"id":6014,"date":"2023-04-04T16:56:55","date_gmt":"2023-04-04T14:56:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goodnewenergy.enagas.es\/uncategorized\/viaje-por-la-cadena-de-valor-del-hidrogeno-desde-la-produccion-hasta-su-consumo\/"},"modified":"2024-09-25T14:01:16","modified_gmt":"2024-09-25T12:01:16","slug":"journey-through-the-hydrogen-value-chain-from-production-to-consumption","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goodnewenergy.enagas.es\/en\/innovative\/journey-through-the-hydrogen-value-chain-from-production-to-consumption\/","title":{"rendered":"Journey through the hydrogen value chain: from production to consumption"},"content":{"rendered":"

The growing interest in hydrogen as a clean and renewable energy source is no accident: it is a key vector for achieving a carbon-free future with greater security and efficiency.<\/span><\/p>\n

For this to become a reality, the entire value chain needs to be covered. In other words, to develop the entire process, from production to application in different uses.<\/span><\/p>\n

Production<\/h2>\n

Hydrogen can be produced in different ways and from different energy sources. However, in view of the climate neutrality targets set in Europe for 2050, we must focus primarily on renewable hydrogen<\/a> production.<\/span><\/p>\n

The process to produce green hydrogen, commonly done through electrolysis of water, uses electricity from renewable sources (such as solar or wind) to split water into its basic components (hydrogen and oxygen). The result is totally clean and renewable hydrogen.<\/span><\/p>\n

To produce green hydrogen, therefore, it is necessary to have:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Water<\/a> as a raw material from which to obtain hydrogen.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Renewable facilities that supply the electrical power necessary for the process.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Appropriate technology for the production and maintenance of electrolysers (devices that separate water into hydrogen and oxygen).<\/span><\/p>\n

With these conditions covered, Spain is one of the European countries with the greatest real possibilities of becoming a major producer of renewable hydrogen. The normative and regulatory framework also helps Spain, as it has a Road Map to promote its production and consumption. Similarly, in Spain, several major hydrogen projects have arisen, for example the different hydrogen valleys<\/a> or various alliances in autonomous communities such as Extremadura, Galicia or the Valencian Community that wish to promote the hydrogen economy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Hydrogen production can be carried out in different ways and from different sources<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Transportation and distribution<\/h2>\n

Once produced, hydrogen must be transported and distributed safely and efficiently from production points to demand centres.<\/span><\/p>\n

For long distances, hydrogen pipeline transportation is positioned as a more efficient and competitive alternative (2 to 4 times more) than transporting electricity through high-voltage grids to produce hydrogen at destination.<\/span><\/p>\n

Progress is already being made in the development of hydrogen transport infrastructures<\/a> which can, in part, take advantage of the existing natural gas transmission network. According to the European Hydrogen Backbone, around 70% of the existing infrastructure in Europe could be used for this purpose.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Hydrogen must be transported and distributed safely and efficiently from production points to demand centres<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In the case of Spain, the gas transmission network has more than 11,000 km of gas pipelines. Some 30% of this route, which could be increased to 70%, would be ready for the transport of renewable hydrogen. This is a clear advantage for Spain, which aims to become one of the European epicentres of the hydrogen economy, producing and exporting to neighbouring countries.<\/span><\/p>\n

In December Enag\u00e1s, the Spanish TSO, together with its counterparts in Portugal and France, submitted H2MED to the call for European Projects of Common Interest (PCIs). This corridor, which will connect Spain, Portugal and France, will be the EU\u2019s first to transport green hydrogen. Projects such as this will be of great significance in promoting the production and use of hydrogen across the continent.<\/span><\/p>\n

Storage<\/h2>\n

Hydrogen is easy to store for long periods of time and, with the right infrastructure, can be made in large quantities. This provides such important benefits as:<\/p>\n