02:13
Igor Idareta, European R&D Project Consultant
the growth and progress of the renewable hydrogen sector, highlighting the expansion of his organization and the securing of 3 billion euros for related projects. His objective is to contextualize and outline financial support for renewable hydrogen related initiatives.

04:13
the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the EU's Next Generation program on the renewable hydrogen sector. The EU's Next Generation program, which introduced joint debt creation to aid pandemic recovery, allocated significant funds to resilience and sustainability, with renewable hydrogen being a key area of focus.

05:07
Europe's crisis-driven evolution and the response to energy dependence highlighted by the Ukraine-Russia conflict underscore a strategic pivot towards energy autonomy and sustainability. The RePowerEU plan, which aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and increase energy independence, aligns with the broader goals of decarbonization and sustainability, further underlining the key role of renewable hydrogen in Europe's future energy strategy and resilience.

06:09
The "Resilient EU 2030" roadmap represents a significant shift in European policy, as it emphasizes the need for internal strength and self-sufficiency, particularly in the context of the industrial and technology sectors. By focusing on reindustrialization and technological sovereignty, the EU aims to reduce its dependence on external entities. Renewable hydrogen is highlighted as a crucial element of this strategy, reflecting its growing importance in Europe's future energy and industrial landscapes. The influence of the roadmap on the EU's upcoming programs and budgets underlines its role in shaping the continent's long-term strategic direction.

07:54
Zabala's growing commitment to renewable hydrogen projects in recent years highlights an upward trend in its project pipeline from 2018 to 2024. Initially, the company supported one project per year, but this number has steadily increased, with seven projects already supported in 2024 in the renewable hydrogen auction and a possible participation in 5 or 6 of the 15 projects in the next Innovation Fund call. This trend underscores the unstoppable and booming interest in renewable hydrogen.

09:49
The detailed overview of European and national funding programs for renewable hydrogen projects underlines the strategic commitment to boost this sector as part of a broader energy transition and industrial strategy. The emphasis on the various funding sources reflects a holistic approach to fostering innovation, deployment and market integration of renewable hydrogen technologies. This multifaceted support framework illustrates a clear intention to establish Europe as a leader in renewable hydrogen, driving energy independence, technological sovereignty and improved industrial competitiveness, ultimately benefiting society at large.

18:31
round table with the participation of representatives Nora Castañeda, from Sener, and Javier De Manzanos, from Nordex. The conversation revolves around their participation in the IPCEI (Important Projects of Common European Interest) on hydrogen, in which they talk about the evolution of their projects, market perceptions, technological advances and the challenges they face, such as scaling up technology and adapting to market demands.

Sener projects:

• Sener talked about its participation in various hydrogen projects, highlighting its role as an engineering company that executes projects in the energy sector. It mentioned its participation in the execution of a 2.5 MW electrolyzer project at the Petronor refinery for Repsol, highlighting the challenges and lessons learned from this pilot project.
• They are also involved in other large-scale projects in France and Germany, focusing on engineering studies for 200 MW and 500 MW plants, respectively, comparing different alkaline electrolyzer technologies.
• Sener is exploring innovative avenues in the hydrogen sector, such as anionic technology as a possible evolution of alkaline electrolysis, with the aim of developing more efficient and adaptable solutions for large-scale hydrogen production.

Nordex projects:

• Nordex detailed its project to develop a pressurized alkaline electrolysis system. The aim is to create a scalable module for large electrolysis plants, especially in off-grid locations with high renewable energy potential, to make hydrogen production as cost-effective as possible.
• They outlined a four-phase development plan for their electrolysis system, starting with a 50 kW electrolyzer and expanding to 10-15 MW modules for gigawatt plants.
• Nordex is focused on creating an electrolysis system that can operate under fluctuating renewable energy conditions, reflecting the challenges of integrating hydrogen production with variable renewable sources.

Both companies are adapting their strategies in response to the evolving market and technology landscape, signaling a shift towards more innovative and scalable hydrogen solutions to meet future demands. These projects, funded and supported under IPCEI, demonstrate collaborative efforts across Europe to accelerate the development and deployment of renewable hydrogen technologies, contributing to the continent's energy transition and sustainability goals.

59:11
The discussion delves into the important role of IPCEI (Important Project of Common European Interest) in driving large-scale hydrogen projects. Participants from EDP and Iberdrola shared their views on their respective projects, emphasizing the strategic importance of having the IPCEI label, which facilitates visibility, collaboration and access to funding beyond the usual constraints.

Key points included the challenges of aligning project timelines with the availability of grid connections and the need for regulatory compliance to drive hydrogen consumption. They highlighted the critical need for transparent and agile financing mechanisms to maintain competitiveness and meet ambitious European hydrogen targets. The discussion also addressed the importance of prioritizing projects of realistic and strategic importance, especially given the limited capacity of existing infrastructure.

The conversation underscores the collective effort and collaboration needed among European nations and companies to expand hydrogen production and infrastructure, positioning Europe as a leader in renewable hydrogen innovation while addressing the urgent need for energy transition and decarbonization.

The discussion highlighted several EDP and Iberdrola projects in the context of IPCEI:

Iberdrola project in Puertollano: This project, already operational, has a 20 MW electrolyzer powered by a 100 MW photovoltaic plant with batteries. It is one of the steps in Iberdrola's broader plan to develop extensive hydrogen production capabilities.

Iberdrola's future projects: The company plans new expansions, including projects in Palos de la Frontera and a second phase in Puertollano, with the objective of significantly increasing its electrolyzer capacity and associated renewable energy sources.

EDP Asturias Project: Located at the Aboño thermal power plant, this project aims to produce hydrogen to supply local industries, taking advantage of existing infrastructure and labor from the coal-fired power sector. EDP plans a phased approach, starting with an electrolyzer capacity of 100 MW.

EDP's Los Barrios Project: Similar to the Asturias project, this initiative at the Los Barrios thermal power plant in Algeciras aims to create a hydrogen center in the region, support local industries and contribute to a just transition from coal-based energy production.

EDP Aragon Project: In collaboration with the Tervalis Group, this project focuses on the production of green ammonia for fertilizers, demonstrating an innovative and integrated approach to the use of hydrogen in the chemical sector.

These projects reflect significant progress towards large-scale renewable hydrogen production in Europe, with an emphasis on the integration of hydrogen into various industrial sectors and the strategic reuse of existing energy infrastructures.

01:51:20
Q&A

2:05:43
Santiago González, Head of the Renewable Hydrogen Department of the IDAE, gave an overview of Spain's position and strategies in the renewable hydrogen sector. He highlighted the crucial role that hydrogen plays in the broader context of the fight against climate change and the transition to a sustainable energy system. His discussion underlined the importance of regulatory and financial support mechanisms to foster the development of hydrogen technologies, emphasizing the need for Spain and Europe to lead this transformation. Santiago also outlined recent regulatory developments and funding initiatives aimed at boosting the hydrogen sector in Spain, reflecting a strong commitment to achieving the country's decarbonization goals and maintaining industrial competitiveness on a global scale.

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