Hydrogen the Groningen way. Nr 10

 💦⚡️💚 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 the last part of my voyage of discovery here👇 💚🌍

Blog 10 Hydrogen as a game changer

 It is amazing how many changes are underway in terms of energy transition and hydrogen. In Groningen, we have set ourselves ambitious targets, some of which have already been executed by building many more solar parks and (small-scale) wind turbines. Our goal is that they are all realised with 50% local ownership, in order that local residents benefit directly from the park profits. And can be proud that their living environment is contributing to the energy transition.

 International cooperation

Nothing new there for us, as that has been the Groningen modus for many years. It has resulted in much greater support for solar parks. Villages and neighbourhood communities take the initiative to have solar parks developed, and to purchase their own wind turbines. And so Groningen has a great deal of sustainable energy We produce our own hydrogen, which is then used to render heavy mobility more sustainable, for example. At the national, European and global level too, more and more plans are being made for the production and use of hydrogen. Not only within the national borders but also in collaboration with other countries. The Netherlands already has a number of contracts with other countries for the import of hydrogen, including Portugal and Namibia, and the European plans to import green hydrogen from Africa are also taking shape.

 COP26

The main event in terms of the energy transition was of course the COP26 in Glasgow. No rock solid agreements on targets this time, unlike the COP25 in Paris in 2015, though effective agreements were reached on how member states will finance energy: reducing the financing of fossil energy and investing more money in developing countries. There was also confirmation of earlier agreements on how to render the transition a fair process. The latter is absolutely essential if the transition is to be a success. It is a positive sign that there is greater attention for developing countries, though we know from the past that this will at the same time be very tricky. Since the COP25, many countries have lagged behind when it comes to financing adjustments to or preventing climate change in developing countries.

 Audacity

The time has come to make that change. And it is viable. The financing should not be a separate issue, but rather a component of a fair energy transition. This does however require audacity from the prosperous countries. The audacity to stop transferring the actual costs of production and consumption of energy to others. That has been the unfortunate situation for many years after all: extracting oil at locations which do not harm us and where we do not see the local consequences. Profiting from the oil, while being fully aware that the situation cannot continue, but change is such a difficult process...

 Setting conditions to share profits

It is indeed very difficult to change the rules of a game which is already underway. That is why it is imperative that the new set of rules now be formulated, on the eve of the global hydrogen economy. To reach agreements on how we can all profit from the energy transition. Hydrogen may well be the game changer. The green hydrogen produced can be transported over great distances. Just like oil and gas. However, hydrogen can bring about the change which was lacking in the case of oil and gas: to contribute to redistribution of wealth and poverty. We can do so by reaching agreements that the hydrogen to be imported by our prosperous countries, some of it from developing countries, must comply with a number of conditions. I’m not referring to the technical conditions - so many people are already involved in that - but rather the socio-economic conditions. The sharing of profits with residents around the solar parks and wind parks where the hydrogen is produced. So that part of the earnings during the working life of a solar park or wind park, and the money earned trading the produced hydrogen, is structurally reinvested in the local economy. Everyone benefits: the users and producers of hydrogen, and those living in the region. Just like in Groningen, if we can jointly profit from the energy transition earnings, this will boost support and accelerate the energy transition process. We must learn from the past in order to ensure that green hydrogen brings about prosperity for all.

 We therefore now know:

·       The condition must be set that the hydrogen economy contributes to SDG1, SDG7 and SDG15 (Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations) and that this must be the basis for import, trade, financing and production of hydrogen.

·       The import of green hydrogen must be under the condition that local residents around the solar parks, wind parks and electrolysers with which the green hydrogen is produced, must share in the prosperity and a percentage of earnings for the duration of production.

 

Broad-based prosperity

In concrete terms, this means that local residents around energy projects for hydrogen production are given access to clean energy and therefore clean cooking, thus combating poverty and providing opportunity for (re)forestation. And so the hydrogen economy can truly contribute to broad-based prosperity. I shall be making every possible effort. 

Are you in?

 

 

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).”