Leaving behind non-renewable energy sources seemed an almost impossible milestone a decade ago, but in recent years we have seen how some green alternatives have gained momentum and made their way into the energy market. Hydrogen aspires to be one of the protagonists of this ambitious energy transformation process thanks to the commitment being made by companies like Naturgy.
The energy company plans to build four hydrogen refueling stations in Catalonia to provide hydrogen supply service to urban and interurban areas. These four plants are included in the first phase of a plan that foresees building 38 hydrogen refueling stations throughout Spain. In the second phase of this project, the total infrastructure will be 120 plants. This project has been presented by the company to the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, and the Ministry of Science and Innovation within the framework where investment possibilities that could qualify for European Next Generation funds are being identified.
In Catalonia, Naturgy plans to open a hydrogen supply plant in Barcelona, specifically at Mercabarna facilities, and two plants in Tarragona for the supply of transporters and industries and hotels in the area, one of which will be located at the Port of Tarragona facilities.
In parallel, Naturgy has signed an agreement with Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) which stipulates that the energy company will use FGC's railway facilities in Lleida to develop a project to research, in the future, the use of hydrogen as a clean fuel for non-electrified trains. The project consists of the production and storage of renewable hydrogen in Lleida and its use, among other possible uses, for supplying fuel to future Lleida-La Pobla line trains with this technology.
All hydrogen refueling stations proposed in this project have been conceptualized based on a potential annual demand of about 75,000 Kg of hydrogenHydrogen refueling stations are facilities where hydrogen vehicles can fill their tanks, and their operation is very similar to the supply facilities we currently know. All hydrogen refueling stations proposed in this project have been conceptualized based ona potential annual demand of about 75,000 kg of hydrogen, which would be equivalent to supplying about 100 light vehicles. The supply capacity of these plants could be increased in the future if demand requires it, and Naturgy assures that if necessary, they would consider increasing the number of plants.
Hydrogen is not a primary energy source, like wind or sun, but rather an energy vector. A manufactured product that is capable of storing energy that can later be gradually released. Naturgy will work with what is called green hydrogen, which is that which has been produced without using fossil fuels and without producing any type of CO₂ waste. The four plants that will be installed in Catalonia will have on-site hydrogen production, while others will receive hydrogen produced in plants distributed throughout Spanish territory.
Naturgy assures that hydrogen can emerge as the renewable energy of the future, since it is a gas that can be used to power vehicles, industries, homes... From an environmental point of view, green or renewable hydrogen is neutral in CO₂ emissions and therefore, its adoption can help fight against climate change and contribute to the circular economy by creating specific jobs for the sector.
Spain is the country with the most potential for hydrogen production in Europe due to its geographical and climatic conditionsAccording to a study conducted last year by the Naturgy Foundation, Spain is the country with the most potential for hydrogen production in Europe due to its geographical and climatic conditions. The potential for green (or renewable) hydrogen is 1,750 TWh per year, equivalent to 11 times our current natural gas consumption.
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