Hydrogen from
renewables: Green fuel for
climate neutrality

How RWE is actively helping to shape the age of hydrogen

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The fuel of the future - how does hydrogen work?

Hydrogen is a naturally occurring chemical element that can be found in almost unlimited quantities on Earth. It is one of the building blocks of our universe. It is 14 times lighter than air, can be combusted without producing any CO2 emissions and is not self-igniting, corrosive or radioactive. In order to use its energy content, however, this colourless and odourless gas first has to be separated off from hydrogen-rich compounds such as natural gas, biomass or water.

The separation process to obtain pure hydrogen makes use of chemical, electrical, thermal or solar energy.

Water electrolysis involves using electricity to break water down into hydrogen and oxygen. A system of colours indicates both the hydrogen 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.

Many problems don’t disappear into thin air. But into hydrogen.

RWE paves the way for the use of green hydrogen

Various possible applications

Hydrogen plays 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 fuel 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 produced by regenerative energy in particular 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 other sectors, companies and associations, RWE is currently pressing ahead with around 30 green hydrogen projects in Europe. Find out where and how RWE is shaping progress in this area and setting the course for a climate-neutral hydrogen economy.

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 meets a series of criteria such as additionality and temporal and geographic correlation.

The European Union lays down uniform rules for this in “Delegated Acts”.

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

Hydrogen news: RWE in dialogue

Monday, June 5, 2023

This is what RWE’s hydrogen strategy looks like

RWE is already well positioned for the use of hydrogen in areas where decarbonisation via electrification is difficult. To build up the hydrogen infrastructure swiftly, the company would like to see the solution-oriented implementation of political regulations and fast-tracked approval procedures.

Read the full interview

Driving the hydrogen economy forward together

A sustainable and carbon-neutral future can only be achieved by working together. RWE is a member of national and European initiatives to produce and develop hydrogen and its derivatives.

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Hydrogen

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