Equinor, Air Liquide, and Eviny abandon green hydrogen shipping fuel project, citing economic difficulties and lack of demand.
Here’s an article posted in Cleantechnica.
According to the article,
- Equinor, Air Liquide, and Eviny have abandoned their Norwegian green hydrogen shipping fuel project
- The project aimed to build an electrolysis plant and manufacture six tons of liquified hydrogen per day
- The project would have consumed about 300 MWh daily
- The hydrogen energy play faces challenges and setbacks in marine fueling
Several alternative methods could be more economically viable than liquefaction, particularly as the industry evolves towards greener energy solutions. Below are some of the prominent methods:
Biomass Gasification
Biomass gasification converts organic materials, such as agricultural waste, into hydrogen through high-temperature reactions with steam and oxygen. The costs for hydrogen production from biomass can vary widely, generally falling between $2.10 to $6.50 per kg, depending on the feedstock and technology used. This method can help decarbonize sectors reliant on hydrogen while also addressing waste management issues, contributing to a circular economy.
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This method involves reforming natural gas into hydrogen while capturing and storing the resultant carbon dioxide emissions. Hydrogen production costs from natural gas typically range from $1.50 to $5.80 per kg, with CCS adding an additional $0.50 to $1.10 per kg. This approach can serve as a transitional solution, allowing industries to continue using existing infrastructure while gradually shifting towards more sustainable practices.
Thermochemical Water Splitting
This method uses high temperatures, derived from solar concentrators or nuclear reactors, to drive chemical reactions that split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Although still experimental, early estimates suggest that production costs could be competitive with electrolysis if the necessary infrastructure is developed, potentially around $3.20 to $7.50 per kg. If successful, this method could provide a large-scale, low-emission hydrogen production solution, particularly in regions with abundant solar or nuclear resources.
Microbial Biomass Conversion
This innovative process employs microorganisms to convert biomass into hydrogen. While costs for this method are still being researched, preliminary studies indicate they could be comparable to or lower than traditional biomass gasification methods, potentially around $2.20 to $4.30 per kg. This approach offers a sustainable way to produce hydrogen while contributing to waste reduction and resource recovery.
Interestingly, we have other posts related to this content:
“Shipping with Green Hydrogen: Ammonia Cracking Technology by Pherousa” – This article talks about Pherousa’s deal with pure hydrogen and their proposed solution to the challenges of storing and using hydrogen on deep-sea shipping with ammonia cracker. “World’s First Ammonia-Powered Ship: by Green Ships and Bourbon Horizon” – This article posted in Offshore Energy talks about the world’s first ammonia-powered ship.
