Germany sink the hydrogen with a new fuel. Spain He hasn’t tried it yet, but there are already engines running. The hydrogen engine has reached unsuspected limits, so much so that many see it as the fuel of the future and as an important vector in the decarbonization of the industry and sustainable mobility.
Its applications are versatile, from its use as a raw material to generate synthetic fuels to the storage of renewable energy. In fact, in October 2020, the Council of Ministers approved the Hydrogen Roadmap. This plan goes hand in hand with the European objectives for reducing emissions from the economy in 2050 and focuses on the positioning of Spain as a technological reference in the production and use of H as sustainable energy.
The benefits of using hydrogen fuels include their abundant presence on Earth, low or zero environmental footprint, improved flexibility and security of supply, and promotion of the circular economy.
Hydrogen loses weight in Germany
After the European Parliament reiterated the initial agreement to take combustion cars off the road in 2035, several countries joined together to end the ban. Among these countries that defend ‘old-fashioned’ engines is Germany, Their leader. The objective of the German country is not for everything to continue as before (using diesel or gasoline as fuel), but for the regulations to be expanded to other alternatives, beyond electrical technology (or hydrogen).
This is the case of e-fuel or synthetic fuel, which are suitable for use in traditional engines without producing polluting emissions. An achievement possible thanks to the use of chemical engineering. It allows obtaining methanol from air and water. Methanol (CH3OH), also called methyl alcohol or wood alcohol, is the simplest form of alcohol.
Previously, methanol was obtained through the distillation of wood chips from the past, but currently it is generated from carbon monoxide and hydrogen. It is used to make antifreeze and solvents, for the generation of dyes, resins and adhesives, the creation of wine, the production of formaldehyde and, in some cases, motor fuel.
The signatures Audi and Mercedes They spent some time developing this type of fuel, but it has been porscheIn collaboration with HIF Global, Siemens Energy, ExxonMobil, among other partners, the brand that has made the greatest progress in this field. It has even inaugurated the experimental plant Haru Oni, in Punta Arenas, southern Chile.
The location of this place is no coincidence, given that it is an area where much of the raw material necessary to carry out the project is generated: air. It has a small wind farm and the intention is to expand its activity and surface area.
This is how he explained the process of obtaining synthetic fuel Marcelo DallerPlant Operations Manager Haru Oni: “To obtain e-fuel, it is necessary to produce methanol, which requires CO2 and hydrogen in its manufacturing. We generate hydrogen through an electrolyzer using renewable energy, that is, green hydrogen. Electrolysis splits the water molecule into oxygen and hydrogen”.
“Then, we combine the hydrogen with the previously captured CO2 and, using a catalyst, we synthesize that gas to produce green methanol. Finally, we convert that methanol into a gasoline with properties similar to those found at a service station.”
Germany has an alternative idea to hydrogen (or almost)
Opting for the option you propose Germany a considerable investment in new infrastructure is avoided, the current one could be used with a new fuel and, in some way, we continue to opt for the hydrogen. If their request were listened to, many countries would follow their example. We will have to wait to see if it finally happens. Meanwhile, options such as the first hydrogen thermal engine continue to arrive.
