(New York / USA) – Another “International Day” will appear in the calendars in the future: The General Assembly of the United Nations has proclaimed January 26th as the “International Day of Clean Energy” in a resolution – the day on which the International Agency for Renewable Energy was founded Energies (IRENA) in 2009.
The “Nine Mile Point” nuclear power plant in Oswego, New York, began producing “clean” hydrogen using nuclear power in March of this year. © Constellation Energy
Important: The term “clean energy” does not necessarily mean “renewable” or “green” energy. In many countries, nuclear energy is also considered “clean” – in the sense of “CO2-free”. For example, “clean” hydrogen can be produced in the USA using nuclear power. Electricity generation from natural gas using carbon capture and storage (CCS) can also be included. The U.S. Department of Energy is distributing nearly $34 million in funding to research “clean” hydrogen from fossil fuels and biomass.
The connection between energy and climate is not taken into account
The participants at the general meeting were well aware of the choice of words. For example, the EU representative regretted that the resolution “does not adequately reflect the undeniable connection between energy and climate” and even contains a reference to “clean energies from fossil fuels”. Joining the consensus does not mean agreeing to this formulation, which cannot be seen as a precedent for future negotiations, said the French-born EU representative.
In contrast, she explained British delegation, Emissions reduction technologies should only be considered “if they are necessary for cost-effective decarbonization of the economy.” The best option for “future robust and cost-effective energy systems” is “not to unnecessarily tie fossil fuels to advanced and cleaner technologies”.
No clean hydrogen from fossil sources
A few days after the UN decision, former Australian Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull warned all decision-makers not to allow themselves to be influenced by advocates of fossil fuels, along with blue hydrogen and carbon capture, in his keynote speech at the “APAC Offshore Wind and Green Hydrogen Summit” currently taking place in Melbourne . According to observers, he made it very clear that at least Australia is running out of time and that its continent is not yet doing well when it comes to green hydrogen compared to the rest of the world.
Malcolm Turnbull, former Prime Minister of Australia (2015-2018): “Beware of people who talk about clean hydrogen – these are the same people who brought you clean coal.” © Hydro.org
At the end of last year, only one Australian green hydrogen project with a capacity of 1.700 megawatts had completed the financing phase - compared to more than XNUMX megawatts in the USA and Europe. “Blue hydrogen is a fossil fuel industry mechanism to delay the transition to a green hydrogen economy,” Turnbull said. “Beware of people who talk about clean hydrogen – these are the same people who brought you clean coal.”
The draft for the “International Day of Clean Energy” was jointly submitted by more than 20 countries, including oil states such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman. The General Assembly in New York passed the resolution (A / 77 / L.93) adopted without a vote. The costs of all activities resulting from the implementation of this resolution should be met “through voluntary contributions”.
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The UN General Assembly will decide on the “International Day of Clean Energy” on August 25th. © UN / Manuel Elías
