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The Green Hydrogen Watch February 2023 Issue

Introducing the latest addition to Steinbeis New Energy India Desk - Our fresh newsletter dedicated entirely to green hydrogen. As the world seeks sustainable solutions to combat climate change, this colourless and odourless chemical element, hailed as the 'fuel of the future', has emerged as a promising source of clean energy. Our fortnightly Newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest news, reports, and cutting-edge research on green hydrogen. Stay tuned to stay ahead in the global race towards a greener future!

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In this issue

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In the world of green hydrogen, there have been several noteworthy developments both domestically and globally. Let's take a look at some of the most significant ones. Firstly, France's Total Energies has suspended its green hydrogen project with Adani due to the latter's recent troubled status. Additionally, The European Investment Bank has committed to investing 1 billion euros for large-scale green hydrogen projects in India, which is an exciting funding development. We will also cover a new controversy between France, Germany, and Spain regarding whether nuclear-derived hydrogen can be labelled 'green' under EU legislation. Greenko has also made an electrolyser order with John Cockerill, and Kerala has announced a 200-crore rupee fund for green hydrogen hubs. Stay tuned for more updates on these and other exciting developments in the Indian green hydrogen landscape.

EIB commits 1-bn-euro funding for large-scale green hydrogen projects in India:

The European Investment Bank (EIB) recently agreed to join the India Hydrogen Alliance and increase support for large-scale green hydrogen hubs and projects across India with an indicative funding of one-billion-euros. The EIB is currently exploring a credit facility with the Indian government to provide investments to critical public sectors supporting the development of the green hydrogen industry. This facility would support India’s efforts to commercialise upcoming green hydrogen technologies and accelerate the cost reduction by investing in innovation, R&D, green hydrogen hubs, and pilot projects.

Making hydrogen out of seawater – no desalination required

A cheaper and more energy-efficient way to make hydrogen directly from seawater.

Researchers at RMIT University have developed a cheaper, energy-efficient way to produce green hydrogen directly from seawater, eliminating the need for desalination and associated costs, energy consumption, and carbon emissions. The new method uses a special type of catalyst that takes very little energy to run and can be produced at an industrial scale. The next step in the research is the development of a prototype electrolyser that combines a series of catalysts to produce large quantities of hydrogen.

Hydrogen is a promising alternative to fossil fuels, but its large-scale production using freshwater puts a strain on limited freshwater reserves. Seawater, which is an unlimited source, is a possible alternative, but its salt-rich nature poses challenges due to corrosion and competing reactions, and the associated cost, energy consumption, and carbon emissions of desalination.

Researchers at RMIT University have developed a new, cheaper, and energy-efficient way of producing green hydrogen directly from seawater. This method splits seawater directly into hydrogen and oxygen, eliminating the need for desalination and its associated costs, energy consumption, and carbon emissions.

The RMIT researchers have developed a highly efficient, stable catalyst that is specifically designed to work with seawater. Unlike other experimental catalysts, this new catalyst is relatively easy to produce at large scale, making it readily synthesizable at industrial scales.

The researchers say their technology has the potential to significantly reduce the cost of electrolysers, making it competitive with fossil fuel-sourced hydrogen. The next step in their research is the development of a prototype electrolyser that combines a series of catalysts to produce large quantities of hydrogen. They are also working with industry partners to develop this technology further.

Dr. Nasir Mahmood, the lead researcher, said, "Our method to produce hydrogen straight from seawater is simple, scalable, and far more cost-effective than any green hydrogen approach currently in the market. With further development, we hope this could advance the establishment of a thriving green hydrogen industry in Australia." This new technology has immense potential in helping to make green hydrogen a truly sustainable and feasible source of clean energy for the future.

Tech Corner

Green hydrogen moves by China, India boosting outlook for platinum group metals

To further progress in electrolytic green hydrogen generation, African countries are collaborating with the European Union and African Union. An international conference, ICE 2023, will be held in South Africa's Sun City to facilitate this transition. South Africa's Public Investment Corporation has identified a need for R4.3 trillion investment in the hydrogen value chain and has put in place a hydrogen investment strategy. H2Global is providing early-stage capital to support green hydrogen projects, and TVET colleges are being enhanced to play a more pivotal role in the renewable energy generation transition.

The Just Energy Transition to green hydrogen in Africa is an important step in the journey towards a more sustainable future. This research and study will help to build the necessary infrastructure, increase access to clean energy, and provide economic opportunities for the people of Africa. With the help of international collaboration and knowledge institutions, Southern Africa can make the most of its resources and lead the way in green hydrogen development.

The research and study of China and India's embrace of green hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cell technology offers a great opportunity for Southern Africa to benefit from the abundance of its platinum group metals (PGMs). Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are being used to produce green hydrogen, which can then be converted into electricity for transportation, steel and cement production, and other manufacturing processes. China is expected to become a leader in the use of platinum-based fuel cell electric vehicles, while India is committed to becoming a global hub for the production and export of green hydrogen. The United States has also passed a law incentivizing private sector investment in hydrogen production, and companies such as Plug and Amazon have signed agreements to provide liquid green hydrogen to decarbonize their operations. In addition, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges is considering an open-access green hydrogen-sourced green ammonia import terminal.

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