It is the European Union's big bet to put an end to carbon emissions and an increasingly profitable technology, thanks to the development of renewable energies in general. We are talking about green hydrogen, a renewable energy storage system, which today is seen as a solution that could help ensure the complete decarbonisation of industry by 2050. For our sector, this project is a demanding challenge that requires excellence and efficiency in all processes to achieve success.
But what exactly is green hydrogen and how does it work? Hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant chemical element in the universe and can therefore be considered unlimited. It makes up around 75% of the matter in the universe. However, the problem is that this element is largely mixed with other chemical substances on earth, such as oxygen in water (H2O) or carbon in hydrocarbons (CH4 or C2H6), which is why an industrial production process is required to obtain pure hydrogen.
Moreover, not all hydrogen is the same. There is grey, blue or green hydrogen. However, the colour designation has nothing to do with the colour of the element, but with the way in which it is produced. Thus, both grey and blue hydrogen are extracted using fossil fuels that produce CO2. In contrast, green hydrogen is the only renewable hydrogen and is usually obtained through electrolysis, a process that uses electric current from renewable energy sources (such as solar or wind power) to separate the hydrogen from the oxygen present in water.
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The adventages of green hydrogen
Steady and fast – this is how the EU's decision to promote green hydrogen could be summarised in a few words. As the European Commission has considered it urgent to boost the hydrogen market. According to its latest draft on the subject, RePowerEU, made in February 2023, in addition to the 10 million tonnes of annual hydrogen production required in 2020 within the European Union, in February it added another 10 million tonnes imported annually by 2030.
To achieve these targets, electrolysis capacity must increase from 40GW to 120GW in Europe... So why the rush to develop green hydrogen, you may ask? According to experts, the EU is striving for energy independence from Russia on the one hand. On the other hand, it wants to achieve the "Fit for 55" climate protection target at the same time and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030.
In addition, as renewable hydrogen is a flexible energy carrier, its benefits can be extended to industries, that have previously been difficult to decarbonise through electrification by renewable energies, such as wind or photovoltaic. In fact, it could even completely replace fossil fuels in large-scale industries such as heavy goods transport, maritime and air transport.
In addition, green hydrogen is a flexible energy carrier, and its benefits can be extended to industries that have previously been difficult to decarbonise using renewable energy, such as heavy goods transport, maritime transport and aviation.
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Unex, a sure ally
As explained above, green hydrogen is produced through the electrolysis of water, which consists of breaking down the water molecule into oxygen and hydrogen using electricity from renewable sources (mainly solar and/or wind). For electrolysis to take place, large quantities of water and electricity are required.
This is where Unex, manufacturer of innovative and insulating cable management systems, can offer one of the main solutions used in environments with corrosion problems caused by water: the Insulating cable tray 66 and the Insulating cable ladder 67 made of U23X or U48X (halogen-free), for the support, protection and routing of cables. These cable management products offer:
- electrical safety
- mechanical resistance
- excellent resistance to corrosion and adverse weather conditions
- quick and easy installation
- no earthing needed
- no maintenance required
- temperature range up to +90 ºC
The proven durability of Unex products, as demonstrated by the example of the water treatment plant in Fairfield, Australia, underlines our dedication to quality. For more than three decades, our products have proven their resistance and sustainability in harsh environments, such as port and harbour facilities, in chemical industries or in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP).
In short, with more than five decades of experience, Unex is positioned as a solid partner in green for green power-to-gas projects. We are committed to providing quality cable management solutions in challenging environments to support the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable energy.
If you have questions or need technical advice, please do not hesitate to contact our team. We are here to support you.
On the Unex blog, we cover a wide range of topics of interest and share experiences from our clients. We remind you that all legal information and information regarding compliance with applicable regulations can be found on our official website. We invite you to consult it for a more comprehensive and accurate understanding.
