WHAT IS HYDROGEN ?
Abundant
It is the most widespread element in the universe, main constituent of the sun and most of the stars.
Natural
Its pure form, di-hydrogen, is created naturally by chemical reactions occurring in the earth's crust.
RARELY ALONE
It is most often associated with other elements to form molecules (water, methane, starch, sugar, alcohol, etc.)
The lightest
It is the smallest and lightest element (14 times lighter than air)
AN ENERGY
Natural hydrogen contains 3 times more energy than gasoline
Odorless
Its pure form, di-hydrogen is invisible, odorless and non-toxic.
HYDROGENE IN FIGURES
This is currently in kt the annual French consumption of hydrogen
This is the percentage of carbon-free hydrogen produced in France
This is the number of natural hydrogen fields so far discovered in the world (Mali).
This is in t the CO₂ released for the production of 1t of H₂ by vaporeforming
This is in billion of euros the allocated budget to develop the hydrogen sector in France
This is the distance in km that a car can travel with 1kg of hydrogen
THE HYDROGEN MARKET IN EUROPE
Source: economie.gouv.fr, France Hydrogèene (AFHYPAC), IHS Markit, Les Echos
THE USES OF HYDROGEN
Hydrogen, in its pure form dihydrogen,
offers unique properties that make it so strategic and sought after :
USED AS A CHEMICAL COMPOUND :
It is very reactive and therefore combines very easily with other elements to create compounds (associated with nitrogen for the creation of ammonia, base of fertilizers or even used for the creation of nylon and various plastics) .
Hydrogen is used to remove sulfur when refining gasoline to prevent sulfur oxides (SOx) from being released during combustion. These oxides participate in atmospheric pollution and are responsible for certain respiratory diseases.
When dihydrogen is combined with CO₂, methane is generated (natural gas). This process, called methanation, has particularly emerged with the development of wind and solar energy, which requires the ability to store the excess electricity produced. This conversion of electricity into gas ("power to gas"), can contribute to the energy transition and to a reduction in overall CO₂ emissions.
USED AS AN ENERGY VECTOR :
Powered by hydrogen, a fuel cell produces electricity and emits heat and water. In addition to a vector of mobility, this electricity can supply isolated sites, industrial units or even sensitive sites requiring emergency alternative energy.
Solar and wind power have the disadvantage of being intermittent and sometimes more electricity is produced than the network can accommodate. This excess electricity can then be used to produce hydrogen, via an electrolyzer, which will then be converted back into power via a fuel cell.
The hydrogen used in a fuel cell makes it possible to produce electricity directly in a vehicle powered by an electric motor (car, train, truck, etc.). These "zero emission" vehicles then emit only water.
USED AS FUEL :
From the begining of the space industry, hydrogen immediately played an important role as rocket fuel. It is the fuel that concentrates the most energy, a criterion of primary importance as a space launcher must be as light as possible.
Hydrogen is used in metallurgy for heat treatment atmospheres that make it possible to produce mechanical parts or modify their properties.
HYDROGEN :
Comparison of production methods
THE 45-8 ENERGY APPROACH
In certain geological contexts, helium is associated with native hydrogen. 45-8 ENERGY is therefore naturally interested in these areas where a joint production of both resources could be achieved and therefore, beyond meeting a growing demand of helium in Europe, to also contribute to the hydrogen supply by valuing a carbon-free and low-cost hydrogen.
Completely carbon-free ? Avoiding the use of hydrocarbons or coal to be generated, it therefore does not contribute to the release of greenhouse gases.
Low cost ? Not requiring complex synthesis processes and being able to be effectively separated from other gases at the surface, its production cost is therefore very competitive. The co-valuation approach opens the door in particular to accumulations where hydrogen is the minor fraction and could not on its own support dedicated infrastructures.
To date, several potential areas have already been identified and are being studies by 45-8 ENERGY. Other areas of interest have also already been inventoried at European level.
45-8 ENERGY can rely on its R&D, carried out with renowned industrial companies and academics, to overcome technological challenges while strengthening its competitiveness.
The EARTH₂ initiative, originally created by 45-8 ENERGY and CVA Group, is today led by the "Pole Avenia" competitive cluster. It aims to bring together the native hydrogen actors (exploration, production and storage) to promote this new and carbon-free energy. Through this initiative, we also wish to collaborate and caracterize the "native hydrogen system" in a collaborative way.
France Hydrogène (formerly AFHYPAC) brings together the players in hydrogen and fuel cells in France with the ambition of accelerating the development of hydrogen solutions for the benefit of the energy transition.
