Scientists are looking to hydrogen as a promising clean fuel source as the world seeks alternatives to fossil fuels. Although it is the most abundant element in the Universe, hydrogen does not exist freely in nature and must be extracted first or produced from other energy sources.
Hydrogen can be produced from fossil fuels, biomass, and water electrolysis with electricity. Still, for it to be considered a clean alternative energy source, known as green hydrogen, the electricity used to produce it should come from renewable sources.
Creating green hydrogen through electrolysis using renewable energy sources is relatively costly and accounts for only a small fraction of total H2 production.
However, as IRENA highlighted, the declining costs of renewable energy could make the overall expense of hydrogen production more competitive.
Most of the world’s hydrogen is produced from fossil fuel sources, particularly through steam methane reforming (SMR) of natural gas.
In the United States, around 95% of hydrogen production occurs in large central plants using this method. While SMR is an efficient and cost-effective process, it does result in the emission of greenhouse gases, predominantly carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies can address this environmental impact and reduce GHG emissions associated with hydrogen production.
Namibia plans to produce green hydrogen and build its first hydrogen-powered ship
Partners from Belgium and Namibia came together to develop Africa’s first green production site. The Cleanenergy Green Hydrogen pilot plant, located outside of Walvis Bay in Namibia, will feature a solar park and a hydrogen production facility with a 5 MW electrolyzer and 5 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) to produce 200 tons per year of green hydrogen. The plant will cater to various local applications within Namibia’s port, mining, and transport sectors, encompassing road, rail, and small ships (Barradas, 2024).
The goal is to establish Namibia as a leader in the worldwide green hydrogen industry, providing an alternative energy option for maritime vessels and industrial consumers in Belgium, Germany, and other European industrial hubs.
The Maritime Executive reports that the plan was made public during an event at Walvis Bay, Namibia. Attendees at the event launch included His Majesty King Philippe of the Belgians and Dr. Nangolo Mbumba, President of the Republic of Namibia.
The Port of Antwerp Bruges plans to invest approximately $265 million to develop a hydrogen and ammonia storage and export facility at Walvis Bay, which the Namibian Ports Authority will jointly run. According to the article, they expect to develop the site adjacent to the existing port within three to five years for bunkering operations and export to Europe.
Alongside the development of green hydrogen, Belgium partners also plan to invest in Africa’s first hydrogen-powered vessel, leveraging its experience in developing Hydrotug, the world’s first hydrogen-fueled tug supported by a fueling operation in Antwerp.
This partnership between Belgium and Namibia is a logical step because the EU needs to secure access to alternative energy sources to help reach its clean energy targets. One way to secure alternative energy sources is partly by importing renewable hydrogen from sustainable sources.
Namibia is rich in renewable energy resources and can produce clean hydrogen competitively while upholding sustainability standards. Namibia also wants to export renewable hydrogen for its economic growth and progress, including providing them with access to renewable energy and job creation.
Source:
Hydrogen Production: Natural Gas Reforming. (n.d.). Energy.gov. Retrieved from https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/hydrogen-production-natural-gas-reforming.
Belgium and Namibia to Develop Africa’s First Hydrogen Ship, Infrastructure. (2024, May 2). The Maritime Executive. Retrieved from https://maritime-executive.com/article/belgium-and-namibia-to-develop-africa-s-first-hydrogen-ship-infrastructure
Barradas, S. (2024, January 26). Cleanergy hydrogen pilot plant, Namibia. Creamer Media’s Engineering News. Retrieved from https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/cleanergy-hydrogen-pilot-plant-namibia-2024-01-26
Eze, C. (2023, November 24). Not just hot air: Realising the potential of the EU-Namibia green hydrogen partnership. European Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved from https://ecfr.eu/article/not-just-hot-air-realising-the-potential-of-the-eu-namibia-green-hydrogen-partnership/
Global power sector saved fuel costs of USD 520 billion last year thanks to renewables, says new IRENA report. (2023, August 29). IRENA. Retrieved from https://www.irena.org/News/pressreleases/2023/Aug/Renewables-Competitiveness-Accelerates-Despite-Cost-Inflation#
Leave a Reply