Green hydrogen creates a more sustainable future

Green hydrogen means hydrogen produced by means of renewable solar and wind energy. The raw material is water, whereas “gray hydrogen” used to be produced from natural gas.

“In terms of emission goals green hydrogen is an ideal fuel, because it only generates water in addition to heat,” says Martti Ikonen, Sales and Industry Manager for oil, gas and chemical industry at Endress+Hauser.

Green hydrogen provides an entirely new way of utilizing natural resources. Its other benefits include wide usage possibilities.

“The production of green hydrogen would enable reducing the emissions of the steel industry and maritime transport, for example. In these areas, electrification alone is not viable, but hydrogen as a supplementary form of energy makes it possible,” says Jori Heino, Endress+Hauser’s Product Manager.

Even though hydrogen has been used in industrial processes for a long time, the utilization of green hydrogen in the energy industry is just getting started. That said, Endress+Hauser already has significant customer relationships and development projects aimed at strengthening the share of hydrogen as a fuel for various production processes and reduce the need for coal, oil and natural gas.

“In Finland, we have an advantage in terms of the hydrogen revolution and are among the leading countries driving hydrogen projects. The reason is that our electricity production is already largely carbon dioxide free. Solar and wind sources also create surplus energy that can be recovered by means of hydrogen,” Heino says in summary.

Endress+Hauser has wide-ranging expertise in the energy industry, too. Before his transition to Endress+Hauser, Heino, who serves as a Product Manager for level and pressure measurements and Industry Manager for power and energy industry, worked for 15 years with electricity and heat production in the biogas and natural gas industry as well as with CNG and LNG refueling.

In Finland, there are currently around twenty development projects that explore the opportunities provided by hydrogen. One of these is P2X Solutions Oy’s plant being constructed in Harjavalta, which will be the first industrial-scale production unit for green hydrogen and synthetic methane in Finland.

The electrolysis equipment for the plant to be completed in 2024 is supplied by the German Sunfire GmbH, and Endress+Hauser is responsible for its flow, level and pressure measurements.

“Our customers have significant investment plans and development projects that have progressed into the construction phase. These would expand the production and use of green hydrogen,” Heino says.

In hydrogen plants and other process facilities, measuring equipment are an essential element of optimization. Endress+Hauser’s selection includes measurements and analyses for all industrial processes.

“For the hydrogen process, the essential thing is to secure the quality of the feedwater by means of pH and conductivity measurements, for example. The gas measurements can also ensure the quality of the end product,” Ikonen says.

“That said, customers gain the most added value from us being able to be involved across a wide range from the design phase to operation. Quality assurance and safety are also important. In this sense, our products and ensuring their operability are key,” Heino adds.

Excellent results for customers are ensured by project services which involve designated specialists providing support in selecting the measurement solutions. A service agreement can be signed for years at a time to cover everything from commissioning to maintenance through the entire measurement life cycle.

Industry is under immense pressure to reduce emissions. Endress+Hauser, too, has committed to cutting back emission in all of its production and other activities.

“In line with the same goal, we also want to support our customers by offering the best expertise to ensure production efficiency and ecology. For this reason, we also want to be involved in enabling the benefits of green hydrogen,” Heino says.

Endress+Hauser Group is involved in the international European Clean Hydrogen Alliance within which it works with authorities to shape the standards of hydrogen production and use.

“What we at Endress+Hauser have in common is a burning passion for process development. Hopefully, this genuine desire to help is evident to all of our customers as well,” Ikonen says in closing.