The Decarbonization Trend: How the World is Changing
KEY CONCLUSIONS
Hydrogen energy is a promising industry for Russia and the world
“More than 65 countries have already announced that they will achieve carbon neutrality between 2045 and 2060. How this is going to happen is a separate topic. There are a lot of factors and indicators affecting this goal. One of them is the development of hydrogen energy, which by this period – by 2050 – will contribute significantly to the global energy balance. In fact, this is a new energy that does not exist today,” Alexander Novak, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.
“The world is striving to become ‘greener’. The number one priority for any state is the safety of people. And another important priority is energy security. This is the priority of any state, and Russia is no exception. Russia is the largest exporter of gas and oil. I see [the prospect for] leadership here,” Andrew Forrest, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Fortescue Future Industries
“Hydrogen market is indeed very promising, and it attracts everyone's attention. Of course, Russian oil companies have good chances of gaining a large share in this market. We have great potential because we, as oil companies, already produce hydrogen,” Alexander Dyukov, Chairman of the Management Board, Chief Executive Officer, Gazprom Neft.
New energy is not limited to hydrogen
“It has been discussed that hydrogen will not be an exclusive source of energy, rather a part of the new energy. The other part is nuclear power, renewable energy sources, and many others, as well as technologies for energy saving and reducing energy consumption,” Alexander Novak, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.
“I recently held a meeting in Copenhagen with the largest shipbuilding companies, and they say that in 2024 they will reduce emissions into the atmosphere by 5%. Five percent means 7 million tonnes of ‘green’ hydrogen that they will have to use. This is only a 5% reduction! They want to become ‘green’ by 2050, and that is 140 million tonnes in this direction alone. So we surely understand that ‘green’ hydrogen is not a solution,” Andrew Forrest, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Fortescue Future Industries.
PROBLEMS
Demand for hydrogen fuel is low due to its high cost
“Energy evolution is related not to the supply of energy, but to demand. Not just supply. Therefore, demand must be created for hydrogen. Now it is small: 70 million tonnes. These are oil refineries and fertilizers. Why is that? Because it is expensive,” Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, TotalEnergies.
“Not only supply, but also demand is key. It is demand that creates supply. It is impossible to talk about the creation of technologies commercially justified in terms of revolutions. I hope the demand will be adequate,” Alexey Likhachev, Director General, State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM.
“We are engaged in unmanned technologies, the use of [hydrogen, Ed.] in cities for unmanned buses and cars. <…> This is still an under-explored area in which business definitely needs to get involved. Otherwise, if we do not create demand nodes, hydrogen will only be used locally,” Vladimir Evtushenkov, Chairman of the Board, Sistema.
Additional infrastructure is needed to develop hydrogen energy in Russia
“We see a potential that is not yet fully unlocked, we are talking about production. This includes modern electrolysers, solid oxide electrolysers. We hope for cooperation with our international partners, for the creation of our new enterprises here, for high-level localization. We are also talking about household solid oxide fuel cell systems, where there is great potential as well. Everything related to pyrolysis with СО2 capture technologies is also a separate area on which we will need to work together,” Alexander Novak, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.
“Challenges are a market that is just emerging. And in order for this market to take shape, the infrastructure is needed. Unfortunately, it is probably not going to happen as fast as we would like it,” Alexander Dyukov, Chairman of the Management Board, Chief Executive Officer, Gazprom Neft.
SOLUTIONS
It is necessary to enable mass production of hydrogen fuel and develop its technologies
“The best way to keep costs down is not just by using technology, but also by scaling to massive, mass production of hydrogen. As it happened with liquefied natural gas 40 years ago,” Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, TotalEnergies.
“Neither of the methods for producing hydrogen: neither gas conversion, nor electrolysis are possible without large amounts of energy. If during the conversion it is just high temperature, then during electrolysis it is also a large amount of electricity,” Alexey Likhachev, Director General, State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM.
Hydrogen industry needs legislative regulation
“One of the major challenges is regulation. A lot will depend on regulation. One of the problems for us is the attitude of the European Union towards blue hydrogen, it is perceived rather negatively. We believe there is some technological discrimination in this,” Alexander Dyukov, Chairman of the Management Board, Chief Executive Officer, Gazprom Neft.
“Hydrogen industry needs to be wakened by efforts of politicians and creation of conditions. Otherwise, it will end up like biofuels,” Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, TotalEnergies.
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