Green Hydrogen: A Cornerstone of Decarbonization
The HyEfRe project aims to address one of Europe’s most pressing challenges: replacing fossil fuels with renewables through sector-coupling and creating investment-friendly environments for renewable energy and green hydrogen technologies across Central Europe. “Hydrogen has emerged as a cornerstone of global energy transition, offering a versatile, clean energy carrier capable of supporting decarbonisation across multiple sectors,” notes the HyEfRe’s comprehensive analysis of best practices report, highlighting how Central Europe is leveraging hydrogen to decarbonize various sectors, from public transportation to steel manufacturing.
Spotlight on Best Practices
Central Europe is making significant strides toward climate neutrality through innovative hydrogen projects. Best practices report, finalized in November 2024, reveals remarkable progress in establishing green hydrogen ecosystems across eight European regions.
Salzgitter AG SALCOS – Green Steel (Germany)
The SALCOS initiative is revolutionizing steel production by replacing coal and coke with hydrogen derived from renewable sources. Located in Salzgitter, Germany, the project is set to achieve operational readiness by 2026 with a hydrogen production capacity of 100 MW. By utilizing waste heat from steelworks and advanced alkaline electrolysis technology, SALCOS aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 95%, equivalent to 8 million tonnes annually—approximately 1% of Germany’s total carbon footprint. Despite challenges such as high investment costs (€2.2–2.4 billion) and expensive input materials, SALCOS benefits from €1 billion in state financial incentives and supportive policies like the European Green Deal and National Hydrogen Strategy. This project exemplifies how hydrogen can decarbonize heavy industries while maintaining competitive pricing and quality standards.
Trigeneration Plant (Poland)
Poland’s trigeneration plant integrates green hydrogen production with electricity generation and heat recovery, creating a highly efficient energy system. By leveraging surplus renewable electricity, the facility produces hydrogen while simultaneously generating power and heat for local use. This approach not only maximizes energy efficiency but also supports Poland’s efforts to diversify its energy mix and reduce dependency on fossil fuels. The plant serves as a model for combining hydrogen production with broader energy applications, showcasing how sector coupling can drive sustainability.
Hydrogen Buses for Public Transport (Czech Republic)
In the Central Bohemian Region, hydrogen-powered buses are transforming public transportation into a zero-emission system. These buses utilize green hydrogen produced locally, significantly reducing carbon emissions while promoting sustainable mobility. The initiative also includes infrastructure development, such as refueling stations, which ensures seamless integration into the region’s transport network. This project demonstrates how hydrogen can play a pivotal role in decarbonizing urban mobility while enhancing public transport efficiency.
Green Ammonia Production in Linz (Austria)
Austria’s green ammonia project in Linz uses hydrogen derived from renewable sources to produce ammonia—a critical component for fertilizers—while drastically reducing emissions associated with traditional ammonia production methods. This initiative highlights the versatility of green hydrogen in industrial applications beyond energy storage and transportation. By addressing both environmental concerns and agricultural needs, the project underscores hydrogen’s potential to create sustainable solutions across diverse sectors.
Aquamarine Project (Hungary)
Hungary’s Aquamarine Project focuses on developing innovative energy storage technologies that utilize renewable electricity to produce and store hydrogen. This advanced system addresses the intermittency challenges of renewable energy sources by providing reliable storage solutions that can be deployed during peak demand periods. The Aquamarine Project is a prime example of how green hydrogen can enhance grid stability while supporting Hungary’s transition toward a cleaner energy future.
Hydrogen Combustion for Glass Manufacturing (Slovenia)
Slovenia is pioneering the use of hydrogen combustion in glass manufacturing—a traditionally energy-intensive process reliant on fossil fuels. By integrating green hydrogen into production processes, this initiative significantly reduces carbon emissions while maintaining high-quality outputs. It serves as a blueprint for decarbonizing industrial manufacturing through innovative applications of hydrogen technology.
Versatility of green hydrogen across industries and regions
As Europe works toward its 2050 climate goals, green hydrogen is emerging as a practical and vital tool for building a cleaner, more sustainable future. These projects collectively demonstrate the versatility of green hydrogen across industries and regions, offering scalable solutions for decarbonization, energy efficiency, and sustainability. By addressing technological, economic, and regulatory challenges, they pave the way for broader adoption of hydrogen technologies across Central Europe and beyond.