The Polish Wind Energy Association was the first industry organization to join the “Hydrogen economy in energy and transport sector – a road map for Poland” program, coordinated by the Polish Energy Storage Association.
PWEA signed a letter of intent at the end of March 2020. Declarations of cooperation were also expressed by other industry organizations, including Hydrogen Europe, Polish Chamber of Commerce, Foundation Polish Chamber of Hydrogen, Chamber of Industrial Energy and Energy Consumers, Chamber of Commerce for Gas Industry, Metallurgical Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Polish Automotive Industry Association.
The hydrogen economy program is the country’s first market cooperation platform not only for industry organizations but also companies. Joined the program : PGNiG, Linde Gas Poland, Rafako, Hitachi Mitsubishi Power Systems, ILF Consulting Engineers Poland. The program is open and further organizations and companies can participate in it.
Within the cooperation, there will be cyclical monthly teleconferences and meetings.
The result of the work of the team of experts appointed by the signatories will be the creation of a report entitled “Hydrogen road map for Poland”. The team will also develop proposals for regulatory solutions, the path to create a commercial market for pure hydrogen, and initiate the implementation of several pilot projects in hydrogen technologies along its entire value chain.
Why is it so important?
In the opinion of the Polish Wind Energy Association, hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources can support Poland’s energy transformation, contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy independence and mitigating the challenges arising from the variable operation of renewable energy sources.
Hydrogen & RES – how they can cooperate?
The properties of hydrogen allow it to be integrated with any energy system. This is possible due to the combining electricity and gas infrastructure.
It opens up the possibilities for a much broader implementation of renewable energy sources and the operation of systems based on renewables within long periods, even if there is no generation at the moment.
Hydrogen is also a clean and flexible option for converting renewable electricity into a chemical energy carrier used in mobility, heating and industrial sector.
Wind energy can play a leading role in decarbonising such industrial processes. One way to do this is to use the so-called “green hydrogen” – i.e. hydrogen generated by the electrolysis of water with electricity generated in wind farms.
The world is investing in hydrogen – where is Poland?
Currently, most of the costs of such a transformation process results from the costs of electricity. Due to rapid technological progress, the profitability of energy produced in wind farms is increasing. This means that the marriage of wind and hydrogen can become a competitive decarbonisation path in many industry sectors.
The use of large storage capacities of this energy carrier help in the pursuit of 100 % zero-emission economy.
The role of hydrogen in the transformation of Europe?
The European Commission has recognized the strategic role of this fuel in the process of striving for climate neutrality in the 2050 perspective. According to Brussels, hydrogen will be helpful in decarbonising sectors which are difficult to electrify.
These include the steel, chemical or cement industries. This is important in reducing EU greenhouse gas emissions in industry. According to data from 2016, it was responsible for 17.5% of total Community greenhouse gas emissions.
Further PWEA activities around hydrogen
The electrification of individual energy sectors will be one of the topics of the largest meeting of the wind industry in Central and Eastern Europe.
During the PWEA2020 conference, we will also talk about the role of green hydrogen as fuel for the future of the Polish economy.
Contact to the hydrogen program coordinator:
Mr Krzysztof Kochanowski, Polish Energy Storage Association
Contact. 606692917
Email: biuro@pime.pl