Hydrogen the Groningen way. Nr 9

 💦⚡️💚 Green hydrogen is ‘booming’. As the missing link in the energy transition and in the transition to sustainable industry. But how do we make hydrogen ‘big’ and make sure that everyone benefits? Read my voyage of discovery here👇 💚🌍

👩‍💻 Blog 8: Bold and ambitious 👉 SDG-proof hydrogen 

Sometimes a crisis can contribute to awareness that drastic change is required. The earthquakes resulting from the gas production process resulted in the various parties in Groningen quickly joining forces to produce large volumes of sustainable energy, for example. This summer, exceptional forest fires and mass flooding in unexpected locations were a clear sign that a much greater crisis is at hand: the climate crisis. Scientific proof was provided in the recent IPCC report: “Further emission of greenhouse gases will cause further global warming and changes in all components of the climate system. Limitation of climate change will require a considerable and persistent reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases.” There is evidence of the influence of human activity on rapid climate change, causing rising ocean levels, heat, drought and greater numbers of cyclones.

 

Hydrogen Valley

This crisis should also prompt us to undertake drastic change. It is up to us to quite literally turn the tide. We can only do so if we make a concerted effort, we reduce our energy consumption and we accelerate the transition to a low-CO2 energy system. Since the province of Groningen has accelerated efforts to bid farewell to fossil energy sources and switch to solar and wind energy, we are now aware of what is needed to also render the heavy mobility and industrial sectors sustainable: hydrogen. We are now an official European Hydrogen Valley, and are working on an international hydrogen economy. As a trendsetter, we have learned that hydrogen is the essential link in a new energy system.

 

IEA foresees major role for hydrogen

Last spring, I awaited the report titled ‘A Roadmap to Net Zero by 2050’ published by the International Energy Agency, with bated breath. Would this leading intergovernmental energy agency also recognise hydrogen as the missing link in the new system? The report was presented on 18 May and yes indeed: the IEA also believes hydrogen to play a major role in the net-zero energy system! This is foreseen in large volumes of global trade, exported from countries producing ample sustainable energy, to massive distribution centres in Europe and Asia, for example. A logical yet interesting point is that the IEA believes the limited sustainable energy production to be a bottleneck in the hydrogen economy. The IEA confers that we do indeed need a great deal more sustainable energy worldwide. And particularly also quickly, in order that it can then be transported to those locations where it is necessary, in the form of hydrogen.   

 

Beneficial for the region

In the province of Groningen, we have made plenty of room for the production of green energy in solar parks and wind parks, over the past few years. This process has taught us that such parks can best be developed together with the region itself. Create win-win situations by allowing local residents and companies to share the benefits, for example. This results in better support and in the end more sustainable energy. If environmental targets are to be met, it is essential that the areas housing solar parks and wind parks share in the profits of energy produced there and sold on, whether or not this is in the form of hydrogen.

 

COP26

In this year of crises, the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) is to be held in Glasgow from early November. There, all cooperating countries will discuss the further global developments required to achieve the environmental targets. I have always been a trusty follower of the UN. As a teenager, I was already involved in ‘The Hague International Model United Nations’. Following my recent dialogues with UN staff, I became aware that the UN was the ideal location to arrive at international agreements on the preconditions for fair production of hydrogen, i.e. the purpose of my lengthy voyage of discovery.

 

Groningen Principles and the UN

The climate crisis is forcing us to turn the tide now and to accelerate the energy transition. A hydrogen economy is a crucial component in that development. But it must be a fair hydrogen economy, which also benefits local communities. A hydrogen economy which contributes to a new and social energy system. In an effort to bring that forward, I have produced a text which I wish to introduce to the UN on the road to COP26. A text which features all the ideas I gained during my voyage of discovery over the past months. Based on the Groningen Principles, as described in my previous blog. A text designed to prompt the discussion regarding a ‘fair and SDG-proof green hydrogen economy’. Which results in added support for global production of sustainable energy and accelerated energy transition.

 

Contribute!

Yes, it’s ambitious to also want to achieve a social transition within the energy transition, but to quote UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres: “Be bold and ambitious.” I hope to gather as much support as possible for my ideas on a fair and social hydrogen economy. So that we can reach binding international agreements on this subject. Please contribute by giving thought to my text below and letting me know about any ideas by sending me a message or leave a comment. The final text must attract broad support both at home and abroad. For the climate and for social justice. I look forward to your reaction!

 

“Green hydrogen contributing to a fair energy system and the SDGs by applying the Groningen Principles

 Solar farms and wind farms used for the production of green hydrogen all around the world, share their benefits with local communities by filling local funds used to finance projects that contribute to the SDGs.

 Besides contributing to a sustainable energy system, green hydrogen can also change the social system linked to the presence of energy and the profits of energy.

 Now, at the start of a new green hydrogen system, it is time to set the standard for an international energy system that contributes to all involved, by following the Groningen Principles: owners of solar farms and wind farms, used for the production of green hydrogen, structurally invest in local funds used for projects contributing to the sustainable development goals, such as energy for all (SDG 7).”

 

 

 

 

 

Hydrogen the Groningen way. Nr 8

 💦⚡️💚 Green hydrogen is ‘booming’. As the missing link in the energy transition and in the transition to sustainable industry. But how do we make hydrogen ‘big’ and make sure that everyone benefits? Read my voyage of discovery here👇 💚🌍

👩‍💻 Blog 8: The Groningen Principles 📃🖍

Only a week to go now. Until the International Energy Agency presents a global step-by-step plan aimed at zero emissions: ‘Net Zero in 2050: A roadmap for the global energy system’. Early this year, the USA rejoined the Paris Agreement. Sunita Satyapal, Director of the U.S Department of Energy’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office, soon reported that the USA is to focus on scaling up green hydrogen and reducing the costs of its production. A great deal is happening in the world of climate and energy transition! 

International agreements

There can be no doubt that this is an international playing field. And that calls for international agreements. On the quality of the hydrogen. On the way in which hydrogen is produced: using fossil fuels or sustainable sources. On transport, taxes, a level playing field, etc. Various countries are focusing very seriously on the issue. The Netherlands, but also our Belgian neighbours for example. There, the EME, ENGIE, Exmar and Fluxys companies collaborated with the Port of Antwerp, Port of Zeebrugge and WaterstofNet to investigate whether and how hydrogen can be imported. 

This study and other feasibility studies share comparable conclusions: a sustainable international energy system cannot function without green hydrogen. However, the conclusions and recommendations always refer to the technical side of hydrogen. While a new energy system will also have major social, economic and ecological consequences. I think it’s time we take a closer look at the latter aspects. How can we ensure that such consequences are positive, in a smart way? 

Prof. Ad van Wijk wrote about hydrogen and opportunities
for Africa in 2019 

Prosperity and misery

At least by now we know how things should not be done. Drilling and consumption of oil has brought us great prosperity over the past decades, for example. At the same time, it has caused great misery worldwide, as a result of conflicts around drilling locations and severe environmental pollution. The Niger Delta was only recently in the news, but it became clear many years ago that the arrival of oil companies did the local population more harm than good. Oil leakages as a result of damaged pipelines have had a devastating effect on the local environment. Furthermore, they undermine the socio-economic rights of local residents, such as the right to food, housing, work, clean drinking water and healthcare. The United Nations has since reached international agreements regarding areas around mining sites, but we have a long way to go. 

Closer to home, in the province of Groningen where I live, natural gas was discovered 60 years ago. For many decades, the people of the Netherlands benefited from the wealth and prosperity associated with that natural gas. But when the depleted gas fields resulted in earthquakes, the people of Groningen had to fight hard for financial compensation in order to repair their houses.

Basic principles

I wasn’t around 60 years ago, when it all started. And so I don’t know whether the discovery of oil and gas immediately prompted thoughts of international trade and major profits. I also don’t know whether there was awareness of the consequences of not reaching effective agreements on certain basic principles to be met. What I do know, is that hydrogen puts us on the verge of a far-reaching international development. I therefore believe it’s crucial that we get the agreements on paper NOW so that everyone looking to import or export hydrogen is aware of the rules of the game. Basic principles as it were: the Groningen Principles.

Hydrogen and SDGs 

I’ve spoken to many parties on both sides: possible suppliers but also those parties defending the interests of potential large-scale production locations in developing countries. They all acknowledge and recognise the necessity of large-scale production of sustainable energy by means of wind and solar parks, and that international hydrogen developments will act as a catalyst to that sustainable production. Parties on both sides also acknowledge that the production of and trade in hydrogen can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. Simply by establishing a fund from which local SDG projects can be financed in a structural manner.

There are already good examples of how this might work. I have spoken to many organisations whose structural financing could contribute enormously to the SDGs. Two very good examples: 

• With just a couple of euros, Justdiggit inspires and mobilises local farmers and herdsmen in Africa to regreen their own land. They are restoring dehydrated land through the use of tried and trusted regreening techniques such as rainwater capture, replacement of trees and development of grass seed banks. The projects are locally managed and executed. And so they require local funding. 
  
  
  
• Rural Spark produces and sells Energy Kits for use all around the world. Their kits comprise a solar panel, a battery and a cooking set, for example. Thanks to this kit, people in developing countries no longer need to use generators. Less wood is needed for cooking purposes, which helps combat further deforestation. 
  
  
  

International requirements and a fund

The solar park developers with whom I spoke, are aware of the importance of such examples. These often large-scale international companies benefit from stable regions in which to work. They are very willing to make a contribution, as long as it is appropriately used. And so we need the Groningen Principles. I would like to propose a basis for those principles:

• We set international ecological and social requirements regarding the import and export of hydrogen. 
• Developers of wind and solar parks deposit a share of the profits from the park in question in a fund, during the working life of the park.
• That fund may be deployed for local projects, as long as they contribute to the SDGs.

A number of issues can make or break such a fund:

• How much is paid into the fund? Could it really be 50% of profits, as I suggested in my previous blog?
• How do you know whether your hydrogen is the real deal? Who can provide a Guarantee of Origin?
• Who can manage the fund and ensure that it is filled and deployed effectively? I spoke with a variety of financial experts on that matter.

Read more about that in my next blog! Would you like to think along with me? Feel free to complete the enclosed form on the right side 👉🏾 ( internet version ) .