Green Hydrogen to Cut CO2 Emissions Across Industries

• March 12, 2025

Green hydrogen, produced by electrolyzing water using renewable energy sources, is a key factor in the global quest to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions across various sectors. This clean energy carrier offers a promising path to decarbonize industries that are intensive in fossil fuels, thereby contributing significantly to climate change mitigation efforts.

Industrial sector

In the industrial sector, green hydrogen serves as both a feedstock and an energy source, enabling the production of green ammonia and organic chemicals. For instance, Iberdrola’s operational plant in Puertollano, Spain, stands as Europe’s largest facility producing green hydrogen for industrial use, boasting a production capacity exceeding 200,000 tonnes per year. This plant integrates a 100-megawatt solar photovoltaic installation, a 20 megawatt-hour lithium-ion battery system, and a 20-megawatt electrolyzer powered entirely by renewable sources, collectively averting emissions equivalent to 48,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually.

Transportation sector

The transportation sector also benefits from green hydrogen, particularly in applications where electrification is challenging. Heavy-duty vehicles, shipping, and aviation can utilize hydrogen fuel cells or synthetic fuels derived from green hydrogen, thereby reducing their carbon footprints. For example, Iberdrola has established a renewable hydrogen production and refueling facility in Barcelona, supplying Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) buses and other fleets, thereby promoting cleaner urban mobility.

Energy storage

Energy storage is another domain where green hydrogen demonstrates potential. By converting surplus renewable energy into hydrogen, it provides a means to store energy over extended periods, addressing intermittency issues associated with renewable power sources like wind and solar. This stored hydrogen can later be reconverted into electricity or utilized in various industrial processes, thereby enhancing energy system resilience and flexibility.

The H2Heat project exemplifies the integration of green hydrogen into practical applications, particularly in the healthcare sector. By deploying a 100% hydrogen-powered cogeneration system developed in collaboration with 2G, H2Heat has enabled hospitals to generate both heat and power on-site. This innovative approach has led to a remarkable reduction in hospital emissions by over 50%, showcasing the tangible environmental benefits of adopting green hydrogen technologies in critical infrastructure.

Widespread adoption

Despite these advancements, the widespread adoption of green hydrogen faces challenges, primarily related to production costs and infrastructure development. As of 2021, green hydrogen accounted for less than 0.04% of total hydrogen production, largely due to its higher cost compared to hydrogen derived from fossil fuels. However, technological innovations are paving the way for more cost-effective solutions. Researchers at the University of Wollongong have developed an electrolyzer with 95% efficiency, significantly reducing energy waste compared to current commercial models. This breakthrough has garnered global interest, as it enhances the economic viability of green hydrogen production, which is essential for decarbonizing sectors such as chemical manufacturing, steel production, shipping, aviation, and heavy transport.

In conclusion, green hydrogen holds immense potential to reduce CO₂ emissions across various sectors, from industrial processes and transportation to energy storage and healthcare. Projects like H2Heat demonstrate the practical benefits and feasibility of integrating green hydrogen solutions, paving the way for a more sustainable and low-carbon future. Continued technological advancements and strategic collaborations are crucial to overcoming existing challenges and unlocking the full potential of green hydrogen in the global energy transition.

References

• Iberdrola. (2023). Iberdrola. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iberdrola
• Green hydrogen. (2023). Green hydrogen. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_hydrogen
• Green light for efficient hydrogen. (2025). The Australian. Retrieved from https://www.theaustralian.com.au/special-reports/shaping-australia/worlds-cheapest-green-hydrogen/news-story/42994776f0e1f4423e4432ebd492b8af