Technological, geopolitical and socio-economic trends on a global scale create the starting point for creating an unprecedented nature of energy transformation on such an impressive scale. Renewable energy sources in correlation with energy efficiency are its main element. Will hydrogen energy be able to compete with the oil and gas market?
The hydrogen industry is a business related strictly to conversion, not extraction. Today, in many places, hydrogen is used in a way that is competitive with fossil fuels, which generate a total of approx. 2%. world GDP. This competitiveness will gradually increase as the costs of producing ecological hydrogen decrease and as new participants appear on the market.
Currently, more than 30 countries and regions have hydrogen strategies, including production, export or import plans, leading to a significant increase in cross-border hydrogen trade.
In this light, the establishment of the Central Hydrogen Valley Association based in Kielce should be seen as a catalyst for changes leading to the energy transformation, as well as the development of the Polish hydrogen economy. This is possible thanks to the involvement of domestic entrepreneurs. As a result, this should lead to strengthening Poland’s energy security and increasing the level of competitiveness of the national economy.
Hydrogen Valleys are separate areas in the country where projects related to the use of hydrogen in various areas of the economy will be implemented. The Polish Hydrogen Strategy assumes the creation of several such areas.
There are eleven hydrogen valley projects operating in Poland today. These include:
Each hydrogen valley will be intended to constitute a regional center of excellence, research and education, supporting sustainable energy development.
Hydrogen is mainly used as a raw material necessary in the chemical and petrochemical industries. This applies, for example, to ammonia synthesis, methanol production and crude oil refining.It is also planned to use hydrogen as a fuel that is able to generate heat during combustion at a temperature of over 1000℃ while eliminating CO2 emissions.
Hydrogen used in fuel cells, in which a chemical reaction with oxygen takes place, allows the production of electricity. The byproduct of this process is harmless water vapor.
The use of hydrogen on a global scale is expected to lead to the desired effects, including:
It should be added that simply switching to renewable energy sources while maintaining the current energy system may prove to be insufficient. Renewable energy sources may have a significant share in energy balances, but they will not ensure complete energy security.
As the presence of hydrogen intensifies in international trade, the profitability of production will also increase, generating increasing revenues for investors. In the coming years, support for the green hydrogen market will dominate in Europe. This is a huge opportunity also for Poland, which has the resources and facilities to become a significant player on the hydrogen market, with appropriate use of its intellectual and technological potential. Regulatory policies will remain necessary to achieve lasting changes, e.g. reducing the carbon footprint or reducing dependence on fossil energy resources.
Find out why Hydrogen Valleys are becoming a key element of the energy transition and sustainable development. Explore the innovative projects and technologies that are shaping the future of the green economy.
The Hydrogen Valley is a separate area in the country where projects related to the use of hydrogen in various areas of the economy are implemented. It aims to support sustainable energy development and is a regional center for excellence, research and education in the field of hydrogen technologies.
The main goals of the Polish Hydrogen Strategy include the development of hydrogen-related infrastructure and technologies, promoting sustainable energy use and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This strategy covers various areas of activity, including industry, transport, and the local economy.
The main technologies used in the hydrogen industry include: water electrolysis, fuel cells and steam reforming process. Water electrolysis allows water to be broken down into hydrogen and oxygen using electric current, creating green hydrogen. Fuel cells convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, generating only water as a by-product. The steam reforming process is a method of producing hydrogen from natural gas, which can be used using CCS technology (carbon capture and storage), minimizing the negative impact on the environment. These technologies contribute to the decarbonization of industry and transport and promote a sustainable energy transition through the use of clean hydrogen as an alternative energy carrier.
