Green and low-carbon hydrogen
Hydrogen for a decarbonised energy system
Hydrogen, together with gas infrastructures, provide answers to many questions of the energy transition. Hydrogen molecules have three major advantages as an energy carrier over electrons, which generate electrical voltage when moved in a magnetic field:
- Hydrogen can be transported in the existing gas network. Only minor technical modifications are required for this purpose. Many of our pipelines are already H2-ready.
- Hydrogen molecules can be stored in large quantities, for example in special tanks or in underground cavern storage facilities.
- It can be stored for a long time. This means that renewable energy can be planned and controlled by means of hydrogen, and the dependence on wind and sun is less compared with renewably generated electricity.
How is hydrogen produced?
Hydrogen (H2) is the smallest and lightest element - but only occurs naturally in compounds, for example in water (H2O). Pure hydrogen gas must therefore be synthesised. This can be done in a number of ways.
If hydrogen is produced in a climate-neutral way by means of electrolysis with renewable electricity, it is referred to as green hydrogen. The renewable electricity is used to split water into oxygen and hydrogen. Alternatively, green hydrogen can also be produced from climate-friendly biogas or biomethane, for example through steam reforming.
Hydrogen obtained from fossil fuels, the production of which results in CO2 emissions, is referred to as grey hydrogen. One common process is steam reforming from natural gas. Grey hydrogen is mainly used in industry, for example in the chemical industry in the production of ammonia.
In the production of blue hydrogen, the CO2 produced during steam reforming is sequestered by carbon capture and storage (CCS) and transported to underground storage sites, for example under the North Sea floor. Blue hydrogen is also referred to as decarbonised hydrogen.
When hydrogen is obtained from carbon-based energy sources by breaking down methane, it is referred to as turquoise hydrogen. Methane is broken down into hydrogen and solid carbon by a process known as pyrolysis. The solid carbon can be used as a raw material in industry, for example in road construction. This is why we speak of carbon capture and utilisation (CCU).
INFOGRAPHIC
How is hydrogen produced, transported and stored, and how can it be used?
Ready for the ramp-up
VNG has been actively shaping the development of the hydrogen economy for many years. We see ourselves as pioneers in both technology and business. At the Bad Lauchstädt Energy Park, we are carrying out pioneering work as part of a consortium with other companies. In addition, plans are to be developed for further industrial clusters in eastern Germany. Thanks to its expertise and networks, VNG plays a key role in the regional economy.
From natural gas to biogas and hydrogen
VNG combines technological expertise with a pragmatic focus on solutions, as we have been doing for almost 70 years.
This enables us to respond quickly to developments in the energy sector. Change has always been a part of VNG’s history. Since our foundation in 1958, we have navigated various economic systems and continued to evolve throughout. This also applies to the technology for handling gaseous energy carriers: first town gas, then natural gas – and now also biogas and hydrogen. This experience of dealing with change strengthens our ability to be prepared for the pressures of change and to respond constructively to new challenges.
Bad Lauchstädt Energy Park
The entire value chain modelled in a forward-looking project
Glossary
Steam reforming is a cost- and energy-efficient process for the production of hydrogen from fossil energy sources, such as natural gas, benzine, methanol, biogas or biomass, with the addition of steam.
Law in Germany that regulates the preferential feeding of electricity from renewable sources into the power grid.
A thermo-chemical conversion process in which methane is broken down into (turquoise) hydrogen and solid carbon under high temperatures.
Networking of the energy and industrial sectors of electricity, district heating, industry and transport as part of the energy transition.
Synthetic methane is produced using the power-to-gas process. After hydrogen has been produced by electrolysis, it is converted into synthetic methane by methanation with the addition of carbon dioxide.
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The “Hydrogen master plan for Eastern Germany” outlines the steps towards establishing a hydrogen economy in eastern Germany.
Further information about the study can be found here