Source: Energy & Management Powernews, 24 . October 2022
A first hydrogen delivery from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was handed over as an ammonia container in Hamburg on the evening of October 21.
Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens) received the first hydrogen delivery in Hamburg on the evening of October 21. It had been agreed during his delegation trip on March 21 in Abu Dhabi. It is to be an important step in the intended establishment of a comprehensive hydrogen value chain between Germany and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), he said. Habeck reminded, "Now more than ever, we need to push ahead with the ramp-up of a hydrogen economy."
Germany is also building its own hydrogen production, he said, but it also needs hydrogen from imports above all. "Today we are taking delivery of the first test cargo of low-carbon ammonia from the UAE here in Hamburg. More will now follow," he announced. Peter Tschentscher (SPD), First Mayor in Hamburg, explained, "Innovative hydrogen technologies are already being used at Aurubis and other Hamburg companies, and our port offers excellent conditions for the import and distribution of renewable energy sources."
Ammonia to transport hydrogen
He said Hamburg companies are involved in the current ammonia project in transport and application. The hydrogen supplied by Emirati oil and gas company Adnoc was shipped in the form of "blue" ammonia, which is low in emissions. That is, the greenhouse gas CO2 that comes from natural gas was injected underground. "Green" ammonia purely from renewable electricity is not yet available in large quantities, he said. According to Tschentscher, the test deliveries play an important role in establishing future supply chains for green hydrogen as well.
The copper manufacturer Aurubis will use the first test deliveries for the climate-neutral conversion of energy-intensive copper production using low-emission ammonia. In the long term, this is intended to replace fossil fuels such as natural gas. The second delivery will arrive in Hamburg in early November, with more to follow and be used by other customers, the mayor said. Ammonia (NH3) is the most effective way to transport hydrogen (H2) by ship.
"More harmful to the climate than coal combustion"
The environmental protection organization BUND criticized the Senate for relying on fossil-generated hydrogen in the midst of the climate crisis. This technology is significantly more harmful than the direct combustion of natural gas and even coal, said Lucas Schäfer, regional director of BUND Hamburg. Producing hydrogen from natural gas consumes enormous amounts of natural gas, he said, including for the production process under high pressure and heat. "In addition, there is the energy loss for the conversion of hydrogen into ammonia for transport, as well as for CO2 capture and underground storage," Schäfer explained.
Climate Protection and Energy Cooperation underway
Germany and the UAE have also decided to promote joint energy and industrial projects through targeted political support. An Energy Security and Industry Accelerator (ESIA), which has already been agreed upon, will promote lighthouse projects in the field of climate protection, decarbonization and energy security.
Germany wants to use hydrogen supplies to meet the growing demand for hydrogen, which the German government estimates at 90 to 110 billion kWh for 2030. Climate-friendly hydrogen is to replace fossil natural gas. Since 2017, Germany and the UAE have been working closely together in the fields of renewable energy, energy efficiency and hydrogen as part of the German-Emirati Energy Partnership.
Author: Susanne Harmsen
Accessibility
Language