Developing different solutions alongside each other
Both solutions – the H-Vision solution and the deployment of green hydrogen – will have to be developed and used side by side on the road to a new sustainable energy system. Given its purity (almost 100%), carbon-free green hydrogen will initially be better for use as a feedstock in the chemical industry, for mobility applications and for the production of clean fuels (for example in desulphurisation).
Without a quick solution, the climate targets for industry are unachievable
The conversion of hydrogen for heat and electricity production can only be considered if it is available in large amounts and if there is a surplus of carbon-free hydrogen. Without the use of low-carbon hydrogen as a fuel in industry, the ambitious climate targets for 2030 would seem to be unattainable.
Planning and introduction
The project is on schedule and it is currently in the pre-FEED phase, which focuses on areas such as the design and location of the plants. The various hydrogen vision documents of the municipal and provincial authorities, the national government, and the European Commission express considerable support for H-vision. The latest IPCC report underscores the need to take effective action quickly.
Regulations, timetable and launch
The project is on schedule and it is currently in the pre-FEED phase, which focuses on areas such as the design and location of the plants. The various hydrogen vision documents of the municipal and provincial authorities, the national government, and the European Commission express considerable support for H-vision.
So far, regulations have been lagging behind: there was no support, even though ‘first of a kind’ projects like this have a high investment risk and they require a safety net.
Fortunately, there is good news. The preliminary advisory report published recently by the Environmental Research Agency (PBL) on SDE++ 2022 included a category for hydrogen made from residual gases. This is a major milestone, opening the way to huge potential for cutting carbon emissions in industry.
This step is a significant boost for the development of projects such as H-vision. We are now waiting for further details about this category so that we can calculate the impact on financial feasibility.
Finally, something very important!
We have not yet mentioned the added value for society of the concept or its future resilience. Because even if industry – not only refineries but also the chemical industry – were to achieve 100% electrification in theory, there will still be residual gases for which a solution is needed. This will also be the case if there is a feedstock transition involving the use of biogenic feedstock. The CO2 from the residual gases will then still be released into the atmosphere. H-vision also offers a solution in this respect by converting those residual gases into low-carbon hydrogen as well. This makes the H-vision concept truly unique.