• GUILERMO DEL PALACIO

  • ELSA MARTIN

    @elsa_millan

Updated Sunday,19march2023-02:17

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If 2021 was a complicated year for energy prices due to the effect of the great economic recovery after the coronavirus crisis, the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, just turned the energy board upside down.

Since then, the fear of having gas supply problems has intensified, and it is in this scenario where green hydrogen cements its position as a great renewable and sovereign alternative to hydrocarbon. Not depending on Russia – nor on Algeria, Nigeria or the United States – and decarbonization go through a proven, consensus technology, but that is still far from being installed on a large scale. In addition, it will reduce emissions from sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as air or maritime transport.

There are short, medium and long-term plans for a gas that is already used in industries such as petrochemicals, although it does not have a renewable origin. Because the colors of hydrogen – which refer to the technology used to create it – are another of the geopolitical keys of a fuel that will move billions of euros.

However, Spain is presented as a good candidate to develop this clean gas alternative; It aspires to be a European leader – if not one of the world – in green hydrogen. It has coast, sun, wind and a proven commitment to renewables. However, the race will be long and not without obstacles.

In any case, there is still room for improvement to get electrolysis technology to improve its prices and, more importantly, a regulatory identity crisis still needs to be resolved in Europe: what exactly is renewable hydrogen. This could even affect projects such as the Mediterranean corridor and the famous hydrotrain between Barcelona and Marseille.

Fountain: National Hydrogen Center, Martí Montferrer, ariema and movelatam

Information: Guillermo del Palacio and Elsa Martín

Graphics: Elsa Martin

Art direction: María González Manteca and Josetxu L. Piñeiro

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