Zero fails three of the Portuguese projects to export green hydrogen

The environmental association Zero pointed out that green hydrogen “should not be transported in its pure or liquefied state, under penalty of high energy losses in the process” of export. In a statement, Zero points out “a huge mistake in almost all projects” presented by the Portuguese government to the European Commission regarding the export of hydrogen.

“Everyone assumes that hydrogen should be used like fossil fuels, which are extracted from underground in some regions of the globe and transported over long distances to consumption centers”, says Zero in a statement. However, Zero details that green hydrogen can be produced anywhere as long as there is water and renewable energy.

For these projects, the association defends the rational use of hydrogen at the place of origin and that production must be “as close as possible to the places of consumption”, where there must be more intensive industries and large transport infrastructures that are difficult to decarbonize.

“A hydrogen distribution network can be highly inefficient and contribute to increasing prices or taxes to be paid for the energy to be consumed, in addition to the unassessed risks of hydrogen leakage that may have security and even climate implications”, which may lead to energy inefficiency and increased costs.

Thus, taking into account this problem, the association failed three projects for the export of hydrogen that are competing to be financed by European funds. Portugal presented a total of four projects: hydrogen distribution network, gas pipeline between Celorico da Beira and Zamora, hydrogen liquefaction and export terminal in Sines and 400MW electrolysate in Sines. Even though the Sines project did not fail, Zero asks for its reassessment.

In the case of the distribution network, the entity notes that “the application of the principle of energy efficiency remains to be evaluated” and that it is necessary to demonstrate that the potential for producing renewable electricity using wind energy produced by the turbines located off the coast of Figueira da Foz. Regarding the pipeline, Zero does not believe that the transport of hydrogen to the installation will be more efficient than the transport of renewable electricity.

Regarding the terminal, Zero notes that it remains to be demonstrated that the hydrogen produced there “does not have a more efficient use in the industries that already exist in the region”. For Sines, the association considers that the installation of the electrolyser is “positive” but disapproves of some planned uses, namely “its liquefaction and injection into pipes or its use in buildings, light vehicles and urban logistics”.