Industrial use of hydrogen
Hydrogen is emerging as a key component in the effort to decarbonize energy-intensive industries. Within the Hy2Market project, we are exploring ways to integrate hydrogen into industrial processes, both as a clean energy source and as a feedstock for production, to reduce carbon emissions and increase sustainability.
Key Areas of Focus:
- Hydrogen as an Energy Source in Industry: In industrial settings, hydrogen can be used to replace traditional fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. Partners in regions such as Asturias, Northern Netherlands, Upper Austria, and Sicily are working to develop and test innovative solutions that allow hydrogen to power furnaces, thermal plants, and other industrial facilities. Partners involved: EDP, NEC, AIT, Montanuniversität Leoben (MUL), SNAM and Power Evolution.
- For example, the project is investigating how hydrogen can be used in power plants and as a fuel for industrial furnaces to replace carbon-intensive energy sources. These efforts include preparing coal power plants for conversion to hydrogen in Asturias and testing hydrogen-based burners in the Northern Netherlands. This not only paves the way for cleaner industrial processes but also repurposes existing infrastructure for the green economy.
- Hydrogen as Feedstock: In addition to being used as an energy source, hydrogen can serve as a raw material in industrial production. The project is exploring the use of green hydrogen, produced from renewable sources, to replace grey hydrogen in sectors like ammonia, cement, and synthetic fuels. This shift is particularly important in hard-to-abate industries, where the replacement of traditional feedstock with hydrogen can drastically reduce emissions. Partners in Sicily, for example, are examining how hydrogen can be used in refineries and petrochemical plants to lower carbon footprints without sacrificing efficiency. Partners involved: Raven SR, K1-MET.
- Building Regional Innovation and Growth: A key goal of the project is to foster collaboration with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the regions involved. By integrating local companies into the development of hydrogen technologies, the project promotes regional growth and innovation, helping to create new opportunities in the hydrogen economy. Partners involved: Duferco, Raven SR, and ProzessOptimal.
- A Blueprint for Europe’s Industrial Transformation: The knowledge gained through these activities will be shared across Europe, offering a model for other regions to follow. By standardizing best practices and evaluating potential for roll-out in different industrial sectors, Hy2Market aims to demonstrate how hydrogen can play a crucial role in decarbonizing industries across the continent. Partners involved: CNR-ITAE, Montanuniversität Leoben (MUL), and CluBE.