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The next step towards sustainable energy generation is Hydrogen, owing to its growing popularity worldwide.
FREMONT, CA: Hydrogen appears to be the next trend in sustainable energy generation, with a flurry of clean hydrogen production projects springing up all over the world. As a result, clean hydrogen is expected to cover 24 percent of global energy demand by 2050, and the European Green Hydrogen Alliance now has 750 hydrogen projects in the pipeline. With the European Green Deal's goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, decarbonizing the energy sector, which accounts for 75 percent of GHG emissions, is a critical first step, with hydrogen being a major component in delivering decarbonized energy.
Hydrogen is extremely adaptable, both in terms of production and application, as it can be created utilizing a wide range of technologies and all types of energy sources such as coal, oil, natural gas, biomass, renewables, and nuclear and reforming, gasification, electrolysis, pyrolysis, water splitting and many others. Further, it might be used as a source of energy - a method for storing energy, or as a carrier of energy. While the top three uses of hydrogen at present are oil refining, chemical production, and iron and steel production, it can be used in a variety of other applications, for example, transportation, shipping, aviation, heating in buildings, and electricity generation – including energy storage and system balancing.
While non-common uses account for a small percentage of global hydrogen demand, recent progress in expanding their reach has been substantial, and national initiatives aim for greater diversification. The current hydrogen demand in Romania is nearly entirely met by the industrial sector - ammonia, refineries, and chemicals, with the steel and glass industries having the highest demand. Based on market research, consultation with industry, and conversations with stakeholders, the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCHJU) predicted the total annual hydrogen consumption in Romania to reach 184,506 tonnes in 2021.
