Why hydrogen is essential in the energy transition

The energy transition involves significant changes: phasing out fossil fuels and switching to sustainable, clean energy sources. Hydrogen plays a key role in this shift. Although hydrogen has long been used in industrial processes, it is now gaining attention as a clean energy source. But why is hydrogen so vital in this transition? Let’s dive in.

Hydrogen in the mix of sustainable energy sources

In the energy transition, sustainable energy sources and carriers are increasingly used in combination. Solar and wind power probably come to mind first - and for good reason. These sources are renewable, clean and their technologies have become more affordable in recent years. However, there’s a catch: solar and wind energy depend on weather conditions, meaning they are not always available when needed. This is where hydrogen comes in.

Hydrogen can be used for energy storage. When there is a surplus of solar or wind energy, this excess can be converted into hydrogen through electrolysis. The hydrogen can later be converted back into electricity when demand exceeds the supply of solar and wind energy. This makes hydrogen a flexible complement to solar and wind power.

Energy storage in hydrogen and grid congestion

Another advantage of energy storage is its role in addressing grid congestion. In the Netherlands, the increasing use of solar and wind energy as replacements for fossil fuels is putting more strain on the electricity grid. The demand is so high that grid bottlenecks are becoming a common problem, leading to long waiting times for new connections. Storing energy as hydrogen helps ensure the reliability of the overall energy system.

Green hydrogen and decarbonisation

Hydrogen also plays a significant role in the energy transition due to the growing demand for decarbonisation. In many sectors, fully transitioning to electricity is challenging, if not impossible. Consider heavy industries such as steel production or the chemical sector.

These industries often rely on fossil fuels because of the high temperatures required in their processes. Hydrogen offers a cleaner alternative. Specifically, green hydrogen - produced using renewable electricity - can help these industries become more sustainable without requiring complete overhauls of their production processes.

Adapting to hydrogen’s properties

Using hydrogen requires certain adjustments, as it has different properties compared to natural gas. When deciding whether and how to incorporate hydrogen into your organization’s sustainable energy mix, it’s essential to take these differences into account.

For example, converting industrial processes from natural gas to hydrogen impacts the materials, components and processes involved. This might include modifying gas burners to make them compatible with hydrogen.

Generating and storing hydrogen also involves specific considerations, such as odorization: adding a distinct scent to the otherwise odorless hydrogen for safety, similar to the odor added to natural gas.

Testing and research on hydrogen

At Kiwa’s advanced testing lab, we support decisions related to hydrogen with technical assistance, testing, inspection and certification for hydrogen solutions.