Scaling up hydrogen technologies

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As the world strives to meet the climate goals set for 2050, the next three decades will be crucial for developing new technologies to achieve these targets. Green hydrogen is emerging as a key player in the pursuit of sustainability and clean energy. While hydrogen has long been used in industry, its production has traditionally relied on fossil fuels, which undermines its potential as a sustainable solution. Consequently, the current decade is witnessing significant research and business initiatives aimed at scaling up hydrogen technologies.

The primary focus areas for hydrogen technology development include: storage, production, and efficient energy conversion. Numerous companies worldwide, including industry giants like Siemens Energy, Ballard, and Hyundai, are actively engaged in this space. Notably, China has made remarkable strides in hydrogen production technology, becoming a global leader. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), by the end of 2023, China’s installed electrolyzer capacity for hydrogen production is expected to reach 1.2 GW, accounting for 50% of the global capacity.

Hydrogen production involves the use of electrolyzers, devices that split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using an electric current. Despite the simplicity of the process, achieving high efficiency and scalability presents significant challenges. Key hurdles include meeting cost targets of $1 per kilogram of hydrogen by 2030 (with an interim target of $2 per kilogram by 2025), reducing the capital cost of electrolyzers, improving energy efficiency, and extending the operational life of electrolyzer components.

Research and industrial teams are working to optimize the lifetime and efficiency of electrodes and electrolyte membranes, particularly in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. These components often require expensive materials like iridium and platinum. To balance cost and performance, these materials are applied as extremely thin coatings, which must be of high quality and uniformity. Companies specializing in coating technologies are crucial in this value chain, as they provide essential services to electrolyzer manufacturers.

In Central and Eastern Europe, companies like NACO Technologies in Latvia are making significant advancements. NACO has developed an ultrafast deposition method that uses ten times less precious material while maintaining high quality over large surfaces. This innovation positions them as a potential leading supplier of coated components for future hydrogen projects.

In conclusion, the hydrogen sector is gaining substantial business momentum, with significant investments and efforts directed towards making hydrogen a major player in the energy landscape. The time for investment is now, and those who develop the most efficient and cost-effective technologies will likely emerge as industry leaders.