The State Energy Efficiency Agency considers the hydrogen economy as one of the pillars of the reconstruction and restoration of Ukraine.
This was stated by the head of the Agency Valery Bezus during a discussion at EnergyClub.
He emphasized that the department plans to use the opportunities that have emerged in the process of the global energy transition in close cooperation with partners in the EU.
"Today, despite the difficult circumstances, it would be a mistake not to take into account a much broader view of what is happening in the energy sector - the foundation of the entire modern economy. Given all the challenges - energy security, climate change, sustainability - we clearly need to reassess the entire the structure of available energy sources and technologies that underlie progress," Bezus noted, opening the discussion.
According to him, n and the new technological basis is important rebuild and modernize industries such as the chemical industry and metallurgy. It is also necessary to restore the generation of "green" energy. For this, it is necessary to maximally involve the entire scientific and engineering potential of both Ukraine and the international community.
"Globally, interest in the hydrogen economy is growing significantly. It is the need for energy security and decarbonization of heavy industry that are the first drivers of the development of hydrogen energy," said Silvia Martinez-Romero, the World Bank's Chief Energy Specialist in Europe and Central Asia.
Thus, 16 countries of the world have their own strategies for the development of hydrogen energy. In 2020, the European Commission adopted the EU Hydrogen Strategy, and in 2022 - the REPowerEU plan, which aims to achieve 10 million tons of "green" hydrogen production and 10 million tons of its import in 2030, including from Ukraine.
"Among different countries of the world, Ukraine really has competitive advantages in the development of the hydrogen economy: a significant potential of renewable energy sources, proximity to the EU, an extensive GTS, the potential for hydrogen storage," noted Mrs. Romero.
Ukraine's prospects in this direction were also confirmed by the head of the hydrogen and synthetic energy transportation group of the German Energy Agency, Kilian Kron. At the same time, according to him, it is necessary to implement the legislative basis and standards in accordance with European ones. For this, there is a strong political will in Ukraine, Kron is sure.
Outlining the financial aspects of launching hydrogen production projects, the UN Environment Program (UNEP) expert Romanas Savikas noted that the cost of producing electrolyzers and a clear regulatory field are the barriers that different countries mainly face. It is also important to prioritize ways of developing the hydrogen economy, building an efficient eco-system with the appropriate infrastructure.
Brad Bradshaw, president of the Center for Hydrogen Energy (USA), drew attention to the critical aspects of the hydrogen economy, especially the problem of hydrogen transportation. According to him, now in the world hydrogen is mostly used where it is produced. Nevertheless, he recommends Ukraine to focus on the following areas of work: production of ammonia from hydrogen for domestic use and import, mixing of hydrogen with natural gas, generation of liquid hydrogen in heavy transport.
At the same time, work on the development of the hydrogen economy should be based on scientific solutions and innovations, representatives of scientific institutions said. Specialists of research centers in Germany and Portugal reported readiness to exchange experience and cooperate with Ukraine.
As reported EcoPolitic before, at the end of July, Minister of Energy Herman Galushchenko stated that the EU is interested in the development of Ukrainian renewable energy sources, in particular, biomethane and hydrogen.
