Saxony: Cabinet approves hydrogen strategy +++ USA: Proterra delivers batteries to Nicola +++ Lower Saxony: Federal government to increase co-financing for hydrogen projects +++ Canada: Enbridge Gas commissions H2/natural gas blending +++ Korea: Hyundai plans to launch hydrogen tankers from 2025 +++ Studies
A selection of PtX topics summarized at the end of the week
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Saxony's cabinet has adopted the Saxon Hydrogen Strategy. This implements the goal of the Saxon coalition agreement to establish a hydrogen economy with largely closed, Saxon value chains. The strategy outlines the additional measures needed in Saxony beyond those offered by the EU and the federal government. A catalog of 24 projects supports local stakeholders in creating the conditions necessary to use green hydrogen as an energy carrier by 2030. Further priorities include the industrial production of electrolysis and fuel cell systems, the construction of power-to-X plants, and the development and upgrading of the necessary infrastructure beyond Saxony's borders. A central Saxon Hydrogen Competence Center (KH2) will be established to coordinate all hydrogen projects and network with Saxony's neighboring states and countries.
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US-based electric commercial vehicle manufacturer Proterra Inc. will supply battery technology for zero-emission semi-trucks to US truck manufacturer Nikola Corp. According to reports, the two companies have signed a long-term contract. Proterra's products are expected to be used in Nikola's battery electric vehicle (BEV) and fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), the Tre. The first semi-trucks are scheduled for production in the fourth quarter of 2022, with Proterra beginning deliveries of battery prototypes in the second quarter of 2022.
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The federal government should change the rules for co-financing hydrogen projects, Lower Saxony's Economics Minister Bernd Althusmann (CDU) told the Hanover-based political journal " Rundblick ." Currently, the states have to contribute 30 percent of the investments as their own funds, while the federal government covers 70 percent. With regard to the planned hydrogen pipelines, it is unreasonable to expect Lower Saxony to raise large sums for the transport infrastructure, from which many other federal states ultimately benefit. The project has "a national dimension," Althusmann said.
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Enbridge Gas commissions hydrogen/natural gas blending plant. This $5,2 million (€4,6 million) pilot project involves expanding the existing power-to-gas facility of Canada's largest gas supplier in Markham, Toronto. Built in 2018 as a joint venture with US diesel and gas engine manufacturer Cummins Inc., the plant's goal is to improve the balance between electricity supply and demand in Ontario. Excess electricity in the province is converted into hydrogen and stored until needed for reconversion into electricity. The hydrogen will now also be injected into a portion of Enbridge Gas Inc.'s existing natural gas network, which serves approximately 3.600 customers in Markham.
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Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., Ltd. (KSOE) aims to develop market-ready hydrogen tankers by 2025. According to the company, the biggest challenge lies in cooling the hydrogen to minus 253 degrees Celsius – just 20 degrees above absolute zero – so that it retains its liquid state. A concept vessel with a capacity of 20.000 cubic meters has already been developed. Twenty such vessels are planned for construction starting in 2030. With increasing demand, this number could be expanded to 200 vessels with a capacity of 170.000 cubic meters by 2040. For comparison, the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) supertankers can transport 266.000 cubic meters. The first 20.000-cubic-meter tanker is expected to enter service between 2025 and 2027. KSOE is the shipbuilding division of the Hyundai Heavy Industries Group.
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Photos
iStock / © Danil Melekhin
