Hydrogen: a cornerstone for a sustainable future

Hydrogen represents a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels in the future energy supply and is therefore considered a crucial component in achieving climate goals. It not only offers an efficient means for seasonal storage and transport of renewable energies but can also be produced environmentally friendly through the use of excess electricity from wind and solar plants via electrolysis.

Globally, green hydrogen is primarily intended for use where other decarbonisation measures are difficult or impossible to implement, such as in fertiliser or steel production.

Furthermore, hydrogen facilitates emission-free mobility, exemplified by its application in fuel cell vehicles, thereby reducing emissions and enhancing energy security. This underscores hydrogen’s crucial role in transitioning towards a climate-neutral economy.

Luxembourg’s ambitious hydrogen initiatives

Engineers at Paul Wurth Geprolux have been intensively engaged with the topic of hydrogen for many years. Besides technical expertise in integrating technologies for water treatment, electrolysis, compression, as well as storage and transport of hydrogen, all projects can also undergo a detailed economic analysis, including additional offsetting potentials like oxygen or heat.

For example, in 2022, with the support of the Ministry of the Economy, the company launched and conducted a feasibility study that laid the foundation for the ambitious project ‘Luxembourg Hydrogen Valley,’ aiming to produce green hydrogen in and for Luxembourg, in line with the national hydrogen strategy.

The National Hydrogen Strategy

Part of Luxembourg’s hydrogen strategy from 2021 is not only local hydrogen production but also looking far beyond its borders. A notable example is the Republic of Cabo Verde, where favourable conditions for generating renewable electricity exist, potentially allowing for cost-effective production of green hydrogen for both local consumption and export. Here, Paul Wurth Geprolux was able to support the Luxembourg Development Agency in conducting a feasibility study shedding light on green hydrogen production in Cabo Verde.

These projects, both within Luxembourg and internationally, highlight the transformative potential of hydrogen. It will be intriguing to monitor the development of these and other initiatives and to explore new opportunities for further decarbonisation.