Green Hydrogen the foundation for Europe's Energy Autonomy

Green Hydrogen will play a significant role in Europe's quest for energy autonomy. The GenComm project has demonstrated that as an abundant, versatile and clean energy carrier, hydrogen can be produced from various renewable sources, such as wind, bio, and solar power, making it a promising option for reducing carbon emissions and achieving energy independence. Th ethree GenComm pilots Wind to H2 in N.Ireland, Bio to H2 in Scotland and Solar to H2 in Germany are the blueprints for Europe's Hydrogen Valleys. GenComm has been the leading project that helped stimulate the hydrogen revolution and as such has visible threads of connectivity to almost all other H2 projects in Europe. 

One of the key advantages of hydrogen is its ability to store and transport energy efficiently. Unlike electricity, which can be challenging to store in large quantities, hydrogen can be stored and distributed through existing infrastructure, including pipelines and storage facilities. This characteristic makes it suitable for balancing intermittent renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, by storing excess energy during times of low demand and delivering it when needed.

In terms of energy autonomy, clean hydrogen offers the potential for Europe to reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels. Currently, Europe relies heavily on fossil fuel imports to meet its energy needs. By developing a robust hydrogen infrastructure and scaling up hydrogen production, Europe can shift towards a more sustainable energy system, reduce its reliance on external energy sources and create European Energy Autonomy.

Moreover, hydrogen can be utilized in various sectors, including transportation, industry, and heating, offering a comprehensive solution to decarbonize different parts of the economy. In the transportation sector, hydrogen fuel cells can power vehicles, such as the Wrightbus hydrogen buses TransLink use in Belfast providing a zero-emission alternative to internal combustion engines. In industry, hydrogen can be used as a feedstock for chemical processes, replacing fossil fuels. Additionally, hydrogen can be utilized in heating applications, such as district heating and residential heating, reducing emissions from traditional heating systems.

To realize the potential of hydrogen, Europe is already taking significant steps detailing #repowereu The European Commission has outlined a comprehensive strategy called the "Hydrogen Strategy for a Climate-Neutral Europe," which aims to develop a competitive and sustainable hydrogen industry. The strategy includes plans to increase hydrogen production capacity, build a dedicated hydrogen infrastructure, and support research and innovation in hydrogen technologies.

Many European countries have launched their national hydrogen strategies and initiatives. These efforts involve investments in research, development, and deployment of hydrogen technologies, as well as the establishment of hydrogen hubs and pilot projects. Ireland's hydrogen strategy is immanent and will help the country navigate to #NetZero

GenComm have also developed the Community Hydrogen Forum (CH2F) this platform informs, enables and empowers public bodies and communities to make informed decisions on hydrogen projects.

The GenComm team led by Belfast Metropolitan College have demonstrated that whilst there are still challenges to overcome, such as the cost of hydrogen production, scaling up infrastructure, and ensuring the availability of renewable energy sources, hydrogen holds great potential for Europe's energy autonomy. By embracing hydrogen as a clean and versatile energy carrier, Europe can reduce carbon emissions, increase energy security, pave the way for a sustainable and independent energy future and become energy autonomous.