Hydrogen Production Processes

From Grey to Green

One of the most critical challenges in decarbonization is transitioning from grey hydrogen production to green hydrogen to meet the targets set in the 2050 strategy. Green hydrogen is produced from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power through electrolysis, a process in which electricity splits water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen.

To put things into perspective, the Dutch industrial sector alone generates 800,000 tons of hydrogen using SMR technology. While this production plays a valuable role in the hydrogen supply chain, its process—as well as the potential for CO₂ capture and storage—must be reassessed in the path toward full decarbonization.

What are the potential benefits of green hydrogen?

Although green hydrogen currently accounts for just 5% of total production, it is considered a key driver of the energy transition. Unlike fossil fuels, green hydrogen does not generate CO₂ emissions during its lifecycle.

According to a report by IRENA, green hydrogen could play a crucial role in decarbonizing sectors with high energy demand, such as heavy industry, chemicals, and commercial transport—including aviation and shipping, which remain among the most polluting sectors.

Additionally, electrolyzers (which use electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen) and large-scale fuel cells, by leveraging stored hydrogen and renewable electricity, could enhance grid flexibility. This would facilitate the integration of more wind and solar power, balancing energy supply and demand more efficiently.

While renewable energy production offers multiple benefits, challenges remain. Sources like wind and solar are inherently intermittent, meaning they cannot always generate electricity when demand is high. As a result, developing new storage solutions is crucial to ensuring a reliable and stable energy supply.