The European Union aims for clean hydrogen to play an increasingly significant role in energy and transport in the future. How can this be achieved and why is it worth pursuing? This is one of the leading topics of the Impact’21 conference, which will take place on October 27th and 28th in Poznań.

By 2050, the European Union wants to become climate-neutral. To achieve this, it must decarbonize its economy – from industry and energy to transport. This process will require the adoption of new technological solutions, which are still in the development stage today. Clean hydrogen can play an important role in all these sectors of the economy.
A Zero-Emission Energy Source
In 2020, nearly 95% of the hydrogen used in the economy came from fossil fuels. It is produced through the steam reforming of natural gas, partial oxidation of methane, and coal gasification. However, this is not an ecological energy source at all. According to the European Parliament, hydrogen production from fossil fuels releases 70-100 million tons of CO2 annually.

However, another method of hydrogen production involves electrolysis of water using electricity from renewable sources. Therefore, no greenhouse gases are emitted during its production. This is precisely what clean hydrogen is (also known as renewable hydrogen or green hydrogen).
Why Bet on Hydrogen?
It is projected that by 2022, the value of the hydrogen market could reach PLN 600 billion, representing a 35% increase compared to 2015. Hydrogen is expected to enable zero-emission transport, heating, and industrial processes in the future, as well as interseasonal energy storage.

For example, work is already underway to launch the first hydrogen-powered helicopters, and in Sweden, a zero-emission steel mill powered by emission-free hydrogen will be built in 2024.
Hydrogen in the Economy
Currently, hydrogen plays a small role in overall energy supply. According to studies cited by the European Parliament, hydrogen could constitute up to 20% of the EU's energy mix in the future. It would be particularly effective in transport and industry, where it could meet 20-50% and 5-20% of demand, respectively.

Our country also has a Polish Hydrogen Strategy, which is intended to provide Poland with a good start in the technological race in the area of green hydrogen development. Among the strategy's goals are the implementation of hydrogen technologies in the energy sector, the development of hydrogen as an alternative fuel in transport, and support for industrial decarbonization, where hydrogen can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Moreover, Poland is already one of the main producers of hydrogen (not just clean) in Europe. The largest quantities are produced in the facilities of the Grupa Azoty.
Hydrogen Utilization
Hydrogen can reduce CO2 emissions in industrial processes, such as steel production. Green hydrogen, used as an energy carrier, can also be utilized for energy production in fuel cells and for storing surplus energy from renewable sources.

Hydrogen is also mentioned as an alternative fuel to electricity in automotive. Its advantages include low operating costs, faster refueling compared to battery-powered cars, and a greater range. It also does not require the existence of as many refueling stations.

There are challenges related to cost competitiveness, production scale, infrastructure needs, and the sense of security. However, it is predicted that although an economy based on clean hydrogen will require significant investment, its use is expected to become more financially viable than it is now in the near future.
Hydrogen at Impact’21

Hydrogen will be the subject of discussions during this year's October edition of Impact’21 in Poznań. The conference will cover the use of hydrogen at a regional airport, Groningen Airport Eelde. The airport is creating the first Aviation Hydrogen Valley in the world, and Minister Nienke Homan will speak more about this.

During a moderated discussion titled “Can Countries Build an Effective Global Hydrogen Export Market?”, experts from, among others, Cambridge Econometrics, the International Energy Association, and Agora Energiewende will attempt to answer the titular question.

Meanwhile, Oben Uluc from Ballard Power Systems will discuss the role of hydrogen in heavy-duty transport in his speech “Fuel Cell and Hydrogen – Great Value for Zero-Emission Heavy-Duty Transport.”

Participants in the discussion “Considering the Role of Hydrogen in Achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2050” will also discuss hydrogen in the context of the zero-emission challenge for the Polish economy. Guests will include, among others, Andre Pina (EDP Renewables) and Joanna Wis-Bielewicz (Oersted).