The green molecule revolution

by Raúl Piñero | Nov 15, 2024 | CARTIF Blog, Environment

In the transition to a more sustainable world, green hydrogen has emerged as an essential resource to decarbonise key sectors such as industry and transport. In 2024, the European Union and other countries have redoubled their efforts with historic investments to build infrastructure and promote the production of renewable hydrogen, which will be crucial to meeting climate targets. This investment underlines the key role of green hydrogen in combating climate change and creating a carbon-free economy.

Green hydrogen, unlike conventional hydrogen, is generated from renewable energy-based technologies (e.g. from electrolytic cells combined with renewable energies such as wind or solar) without emitting polluting gases. This process makes it a clean and safe option for reducing global emissions. However, its mass adoption depends on successful transport and storage challenges, and this is where hydrogen carrier molecules play an essential role.

Hydrogen carrier molecules or ‘green molecules’: the key to the development of the green H2 sector.

Hydrogen in its pure state is difficult to store and transport because of its low energy density and because it requires special pressure and temperature conditions. Carrier molecules, such as methanol, ammonia and formic acid, allow hydrogen to be stored safely and stably, making it easier to handle and transport. These molecules act as ‘packaging’ for the hydrogen, which can be released at the point of consumption without logistical complications.

Methanol, a versatile carrier, is obtained by combining green hydrogen with captured CO₂, and can be practically reconverted to hydrogen at the point of use. Ammonia is another promising carrier, with a high hydrogen density and an existing transport infrastructure, making it ideal for large-scale industrial applications. The lesser-known formic acid is easy to handle and an excellent choice for smaller applications, such as fuel cells in light-duty vehicles.

Applications of H2 and its derivatives in transport and industry

The flexibility of these carrier molecules opens up a wide range of applications. In the transport sector, they can be used in trucks, trains and buses, enabling carbon-free mobility. This year we have seen the first hydrogen buses operating in Germany, and Japan has launched hydrogen trains, showing the potential of hydrogen in sustainable public transport. Carrier molecules make storing and refuelling green hydrogen more practical, helping to reduce dependence on fossil fuels over long distances.

In industry, green hydrogen and its carriers are viable alternatives to replace coal in high-temperature processes, such as steel production, and as a feedstock in the chemical industry, where green hydrogen replaces grey hydrogen in the production of ammonia and methanol, essential chemicals in the manufacture of fertilisers and plastics.

In addition, green hydrogen is also key to energy storage. With the growth of renewable energies such as solar and wind, efficient methods are needed to store excess energy and release it when needed. Surplus renewable energy can be converted into green hydrogen and stored in carriers such as methanol or ammonia, which can then be converted back into energy when demand is high or renewable generation is low. This helps to make the electricity grid more stable and sustainable, and reduces the intermittency of renewable sources.

The challenges and opportunities that the immediate future of green H2 and its derived ‘molecules’ brings us

Despite its potential, green hydrogen still faces significant challenges. One of these is the cost of production, which remains high compared to fossil fuels. However, technological progress and government support are reducing these costs, with expectations that green hydrogen will become more accessible in the coming years. In addition, investments in distribution infrastructure and refuelling stations are needed to bring green hydrogen to scale, enabling its use in industrial and transport applications around the world.

In short, green hydrogen and its derivatives are beginning to transform the way we think about energy. This resource represents a unique opportunity to reduce carbon emissions and provide clean energy in a variety of industries and applications. At CARTIF, we believe that green hydrogen is the path to a sustainable future and we are committed to developing technologies that enable its mass adoption to have a positive impact on the planet.

Co-author

David Díez Rodríguez. Researcher at the Biotechnology and Sustainable Chemistry area.

Biogenic CO2: challenges and opportunities for a sustainable future

by Raúl Piñero | Apr 19, 2024 | CARTIF Blog, Environment

In the fight against climate change, technological innovations is one of our most powerful allies. One of the most promising and challenging areas in this regard is the transformation of carbon dioxide (CO₂), a prevalent greenhouse gas, into useful raw materials for industry and transport. This approach not only promises to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, but also opens the door to a circular economy where waste becomes a resource.

Challenges and opportunities of CO2 as raw materia for industry

CO₂ is the main contributor to global warming, arising mainly from the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. The concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere has unprecedented levels, making it imperative to find effective ways to reduce these emissions. Capturing and utilising of CO₂ is a promising strategy, transforming this gas into valuable products, which could revolutionise sectors such as transport and manufacturing, significantly reducing our carbon footprint.

Converting CO2 into value-added products: key technologies to meet the challenge of decarbonisation of industry and economy

CO₂ transformation into raw materials involves several methods, including electrochemistry, catalysis and biotechnology. These technologies aim to convert CO₂ into fuels, plastics, building materials and other industrial chemicals, which basically fall into three types:

1. Biotechnology: based on biological fermentation processes with gas-liquid phase substrate. It uses genetically modified organisms, such as microalgae and bacteria, to absorb CO₂ and convert it into biofuels an chemicals. This approach offers the potential for highly sustainable processes that can operate under ambient conditions.

2. Electrochemical technology: based on the use of electrical energy and potential difference between two electrodes to reduce CO2 into value-added chemicals (e.g. methanol, formic acid, etc.) which can be used as e-fuel, H2-bearing green molecules, or chemical precursos for industrial use. The efficiency of these processes has improved significantly, but they still face challenges in terms of scalability and costs.

3. Chemical-catalytic processes: based on the use of catalysers to active and accelerate the chemical reaction and transformation of CO₂ into value-added products (methane, methanol, dimethyl ether, ,etc.)Current research lines are exploring new catalysts that can operate at low temperatures and pressures, making the process more energy efficient and economically viable.

On the other hand, CO₂ transformation faces technical, economic and regulatory hurdles. Energy efficiency, cost reduction and integration of these technologies into existing infrastructure are key challenges. In addition, a regulatory framework is required to promote investment in these technologies and the use of CO₂ products.

Despite these challenges, the capture and uses of CO₂ as a renewable carbon source and to contribute to the decarbonisation of industry and transport, offers an unprecedented opportunity to mitigate climate change and advance towards a more sustainable and circular economy. By turning a problem into a solution, we can unlock new pathways for environmental sustainability, technological innovation and economic growth. Collaboration between governments, industries and scientific communities will be essential to overcome these challenges and harness the potential of these technologies for a greener future.

R&D projects such as CO2SMOS, coordinated by CARTIF´s Biotechnology and Sustainable Chemistry area, aims to develop a set of innovative, scalable and directly applied technologies in the bio-based industries sector that will help to convert biogenic CO₂ emissions into value-added chemicals for direct use in the synthesis of low carbon footprint material bioproducts. To this end,and integrated hybrid solution is proposed that combines innovative technologies and intensified electrochemical/catalytic conversion and precision fermentation processes, together with the use of renewable vector soruces such as green H2 and biomass. Key elements to achieve the indsutry´s goal of zero-emissions and climate neutrality.