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Problems don't disappear
into thin air. But into hydrogen.

Perspective, Strategy, Technology: Hydrogen in all its variants as a key technology
on the road to climate neutrality

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How exactly does this fuel of the future work?

Hydrogen is a naturally occurring chemical element that can be found in almost unlimited quantities. It is 14 times lighter than air, can be combusted without producing any CO2 emissions and is not self-ignitious, corrosive or radioactive.

In order to use its energy content, however, this colourless and odourless gas has to be separated off from hydrogen-rich compounds such as natural gas, biomass or water by using chemical, electrical, thermal or solar energy.

Water electrolysis involves using electricity to break water down into oxygen and hydrogen. A system of colours indicates both the production method as well as its carbon footprint: If the electricity produced by water electrolysis is sourced from renewables, such as wind or solar power, it is referred to as green hydrogen. Grey hydrogen is produced conventionally using natural gas. If the carbon emissions produced in the process are not released but captured and stored, it is referred to as blue hydrogen. Less common is turquoise hydrogen, which entails thermal separation of methane, creating solid carbon rather than climate-damaging carbon dioxide.

RWE paves the way for the use of green hydrogen

Various possible applications

Hydrogen is seen as playing a key role in the decarbonisation of energy-intensive sectors. In addition to reducing CO2 emissions in industrial processes, hydrogen could be used as a sustainable fuel in the transport sector and as a sustainable combustible for heat supply in the medium term.

The ever increasing interlinking of potential applications – electricity and heat, transport and industry – is referred to as sector coupling.

Green hydrogen in particular produced by regenerative energy is considered a key technology in the drive for climate neutrality.

Key technology for net-zero carbon emissions

  • No emissions in generation and application

  • Safe to transport, store and handle

  • Can be used flexibly either as a fuel or raw material and mixed with natural gas subject to defined limits

  • Serves as the basis for producing e-fuels, particularly for cars, aircraft and ships

  • Low land use, widely accepted in society

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Hydrogen at RWE

Together with partners from associations and corporations, RWE is currently pressing ahead with around 30 green hydrogen projects in Europe at various demonstration and testing facilities.

A selection of our current projects is available here.

Further hydrogen projects and project details at a glance.

Rules make hydrogen green

Green hydrogen is indispensable for the energy transition and climate neutrality. The prerequisite for qualifying as "green" is that the hydrogen is produced with the help of renewable sources.

The European Union lays down uniform rules for this, but they still have to be finalised in a special legal text.

Our video explains what is needed for Europe to quickly build the much-needed hydrogen economy.

Schematic illustration of BDEW

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RWE is a member of national and european initiatives for promoting and developing hydrogen

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Hydrogen

Questions on this topic

 

We are happy to answer your questions about hydrogen and our hydrogen projects.

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