Industrial decarbonisation
Renewable industry coalition launches ‘policy charter’ to scale up green hydrogen
The renewable hydrogen coalition has launched its policy charter, showing the steps needed to boost green hydrogen in Europe and give the continent an edge in the race for sustainable energy.
Fertiliser industry execs: ‘We see ammonia as a battery for hydrogen’
Ammonia has until now been used chiefly in the fertiliser industry as a way to return nitrogen to the soil. But it also has potential in boosting renewables – both as a replacement for hydrogen in long haul shipping and as a way of storing and transporting hydrogen.
Global gas firms target industrial ‘clusters’ for first hydrogen clients
Gas companies in Europe and America are looking at using the existing gas network to serve industrial “clusters” of hydrogen users in sectors like chemicals, cement and steelmaking, adopting a “phased approach” endorsed by the European Commission.OpinionPromoted content
Carbon capture: one technology for many routes to net-zero
Uniquely placed to cut emissions in many sectors − and enable greater use of renewables − carbon capture and storage (CCS) needs more political backing if we are to stand any chance of reaching net-zero emissions. Kenji Terasawa is the...
Only fractions of global heavy industry are aligned with Paris climate goals
Only 14% of publicly listed companies in the steel, cement, aluminum, paper and mining sector are on track to meet the Paris Agreement’s 2°C climate target, according to a report by the Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI), a global investor group supported by the UN. Still, some European companies offer hope, EURACTIV Germany reports.
Polish climate minister: ‘It is critical that EU legislation on hydrogen is colour-blind’
Poland has welcomed the inclusion of hydrogen infrastructure in the European Commission’s recast regulation for cross-border energy networks. “It is critical for our region that this legislation is colour-blind and does not discriminate between different ‘types’ of hydrogen,” says Michał Kurtyka.
Belgian port lays out plans for ‘massive’ imports of green hydrogen
The Port of Antwerp has partnered with energy utility Engie and five other entities in a consortium aiming to establish a full renewable hydrogen import value chain in Belgium by the end of the decade.
MEPs back natural gas as a ‘bridge’ to 100% renewable hydrogen
Gas should be used as a bridging solution to produce hydrogen before green varieties made from renewable electricity become commercially available, according to a motion adopted in the European Parliament's environment committee.
EU carbon border levy shaping up as ‘notional ETS’
Revenues from the European Union’s upcoming carbon border charge will be “recycled” to replenish the EU budget and finance the bloc’s green transition, senior officials have said. However, this won’t be the main goal, they cautioned, saying the new levy must pursue environmental objectives to comply with WTO rules.
Carbon capture is vital to meeting climate goals, scientists tell green critics
Engineers and geologists have strongly criticised green groups who last week claimed that carbon capture and storage schemes – for reducing fossil fuel emissions – are costly mistakes. EURACTIV's media partner, The Guardian, reports.OpinionPromoted content
Three ways to cut Europe’s heating bill
Industrial heat uses masses of energy and emits large volumes of CO2 – here’s how its impact on the planet can be reduced. Marco Baresi is the Institutional Affairs Director of Turboden. Heat. It’s the single largest energy use in...
Five countries object to EU’s latest hydrogen ‘manifesto’
Austria, Denmark, Luxembourg, Portugal and Spain have issued a joint letter calling on the European Union to clearly prioritise renewable energies under an EU-led project aiming to accelerate hydrogen deployment, research and infrastructure.
EU countries agree to ‘rapidly upscale’ hydrogen market
Member states have set aside their divergences on renewable vs ‘low-carbon’ hydrogen to focus on efforts to “rapidly upscale the market for hydrogen at EU level”.
EU bets on blue hydrogen ‘to break chicken-and-egg problem’
The European Commission has a clear long-term objective of supporting green hydrogen produced 100% from renewables, but the EU will also rely on fossil-based hydrogen with carbon storage as a stepping stone in order to grow the market in the early stages, a senior EU official has said.
Germany launches funding programme for ‘green steel’
German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze (SPD) has made €5 million available to Salzgitter AG at the start of the new support program for the "decarbonisation of industry." The group is to produce climate-friendly steel as part of the project. However, the opposition criticises a lack of industrial policy.
Power-to-X: Germany’s search for green fuels
Germany wants to take a leading role worldwide in the production, transport and use of green hydrogen as an energy source, also known as Power-to-X (PtX). Course-setting decisions on future funding are due in January, EURACTIV Germany reports.
Energy: A critical raw material in its own right?
Access to affordable energy is a key factor underpinning the competitiveness of European industries. But as the green transition gains momentum, pressure is building to put a higher price signal on energy and CO2 emissions, leaving regulators in a quandary.
What is the real cost of green hydrogen?
What is the real cost of green hydrogen? Is there a reliable and straightforward way to obtain this cost? What information is needed? Is it valid to compare green hydrogen prices with grey or blue hydrogen prices? Mike Parr and Simon Minett attempt to answer these questions.
Renewable or ‘low-carbon’? EU countries face off over hydrogen
EU member states are fighting over which type of hydrogen to support, with two opposing camps facing off: those backing green hydrogen produced exclusively from renewable electricity, and those in favour of a broader “low-carbon” definition, which also includes nuclear power and decarbonised gases.
Are stars finally aligning for CCS in Europe?
With greater investment in carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects and the need for the EU to rapidly decrease its carbon emissions, optimism in the schemes is growing, writes Guloren Turan, ahead of an online event to launch Global CCS Institute’s new report in December.OpinionStakeholder Opinion
Ammonia – a fuel of the future?
Like hydrogen, ammonia can play a key role in decarbonising Europe’s heavy industry and transport. So why isn’t it grabbing the headlines in the same way? Kazuhiro Morita is a Member of the Board and Executive Vice President and CTO...
EU Commission backs global hydrogen market with euro as its key currency
Europe wants to install the euro as the reference currency for trading hydrogen, but a global market with harmonised standards needs to be put in place first in order to meet demand, the EU's energy commissioner said on Thursday (26 November).
Steelmakers call for ‘Green Deal’ to counter Chinese dumping
European steelmakers were already reeling from dumped Chinese imports and US tariffs when the coronavirus pandemic hit this year. According to trade body Eurofer, it will take two years for the industry to recover, a process it says could be accelerated with a new “Green Deal for steel” and a carbon border levy.
