Green hydrogen as an energy carrier and in chemistry

Project leader

Eurecat

Project description

The project aims to develop a technology linked to the green hydrogen economy, including generation and the two types of uses, energy and chemical.

It is included in the framework of the Hydrogen Valley of Catalonia, a strategic initiative of the country that works to consolidate an integrated ecosystem around the hydrogen value chain. The Rovira i Virgili University (URV), the Catalan Institute of Chemical Research (ICIQ), the Catalonia Institute for Energy Research (IREC) and the EURECAT Technology Centre make up the alliance of knowledge, science and technology that are the research and innovation core of the Hydrogen Valley of Catalonia, an initiative in which the Port of Tarragona participates.

The project focuses on the production, use and distribution of hydrogen. Hydrogen is an energy source that must be manufactured and is done through a process called electrolysis of water. This process is carried out using electrolysers that run on renewable energy and water. Once manufactured, hydrogen can be used in two ways:

• Energy use: As a fuel for all types of transport.
• Chemical use: As an element in chemical reactions to obtain fuels, formic acids…

Project objectives

The use of hydrogen, produced from renewable energy and water, is expected to become widespread as a raw material and heat source in industries such as the chemical industry, for mobility, for residential use and as a fuel. Therefore, the objective of this project is to have its own demonstration and characterisation units to advance in this line.

Expected benefits of innovation

The expected benefits of the project are the implementation of technologies at pilot level and the preparation of pre-industrial prototypes for subsequent industrialisation.