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Fortescue Energy CEO says green hydrogen cost is key as demand drops

 

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 24 (Reuters) – Replacing fossil fuels with green hydrogen depends on creating demand by making it price competitive, as buyers are unwilling to pay “green premiums”, Fortescue Energy CEO Mark Hutchinson told Reuters in Davos.

 

Green hydrogen is created by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity. It can then be used as a power source itself or to make carbon-free ammonia, a major ingredient in agricultural fertilizers.

 

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Electrolyzers that split hydrogen are costly, and government subsidies to reduce these costs for companies have not come through as they were expected to, Hutchinson told the Reuters Global Markets Forum.

 

The CEO said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in the Swiss resort on Thursday,

 

(The) green hydrogen, ammonia (sector) is not where we thought it would be,

 

He said,

 

The demand hasn’t emerged in the way it should, (but) over the next few years we’re hoping demand will (rise) as prices come down,

 

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He added,

 

If you’re waiting for someone to pay you extra because it’s green, forget it … at the end of the day, the economics have to work,

 

Fortescue Energy, the green energy arm of Australian iron ore miner Fortescue’s (FMG.AX), said in July that it was unlikely to meet its target of producing 15 million metric tons of green hydrogen by 2030.

 

A backlash against environmental-driven business decisions has been compounded by Donald Trump’s return to the White House, with the U.S. president declaring an energy emergency and rolling back green policies shortly after taking office.

 

Hutchinson said a push for green energy could take a back seat during Trump’s term, but it is up to the industry to make it an economic discussion, not just “about saving the planet”.

 

However, the company’s focus on “green iron” has risen significantly over the past year,despite the demand worries.

 

Green iron is produced by reducing iron ore using hydrogen gas, which is then converted into steel in an electric arc furnace.

 

The production of steel, a key material for infrastructure and the net-zero energy transition, currently contributes around 8% of global carbon emissions.

 

Hutchinson said final investment approvals were still pending for green hydrogen projects in Norway and Brazil, originally due in 2023, with Fortescue Energy waiting to bring in more investors.

 

Source:  Hydrogencentral

 

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A green fuels breakthrough: bio-engineering bacteria to become ‘hydrogen nanoreactors’

 

Researchers at the University of Oxford’s Department of Engineering Science have made major advances towards realising green hydrogen – the production of hydrogen by splitting water, powered by renewable energy. Their approach, which focuses on bio-engineering bacteria to become ‘hydrogen nanoreactors’, could open the way towards a cost-effective, zero carbon method of generating hydrogen fuels.

 

Hydrogen could play a key role in helping us achieve net-zero emissions, since this burns cleanly without releasing CO2. However, current industrial hydrogen production depends heavily on fossil fuels, generating approximately 11.5–13.6 kilograms of CO2 emissions per kilogram of hydrogen produced.

 

In the new study, the researchers used a synthetic biology approach to convert a species of bacteria into a cellular ‘bionanoreactor’ to split water and produce hydrogen using sunlight. By generating a highly-efficient, stable and cost-effective catalyst, this overcomes one of the critical challenges that has been holding back green hydrogen to date.

 

Lead author Professor Wei Huang (Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford) said:

 

Currently, most commercially used catalysts for green hydrogen production rely on expensive metals.

 

“Our new study has provided a compelling alternative in the form of a robust and efficient biocatalyst. This has the advantages of greater safety, renewability, and lower production costs all of which can improve long-term economic viability.”

 

In nature, specific microorganisms can reduce protons (H+) to hydrogen (H2) using hydrogenase enzymes, however this is limited to low yields due to constraints, such as low electron transfer rate. Up to now, this has prevented microorganisms from being used as effective hydrogen catalysts.

 

To overcome this, the Oxford researchers engineered the bacterium Shewanella oneidensis to concentrate electrons, protons, and hydrogenase in the space between the inner and outer membrane (known as the periplasmic space, 20-30 nm wide). This species is ‘electroactive’, meaning that it can transfer electrons to or from solid surfaces outside their cells.

 

To enhance electron and proton transfer, the team engineered a light activated electron pump (called Gloeobacter rhodopsin) onto the inner membrane, newly enabling it to efficiently pump protons into the periplasm in the presence of light. The Gloeobacter rhodopsin itself was engineered by the introduction of the pigment canthaxanthin (which absorbs light energy) to boost proton pumping by harvesting extra photon energy from sunlight. Additionally, nanoparticles of reduced graphene oxide and ferric sulfate were introduced to enhance the electron transfer. Finally, the hydrogenase enzyme in the periplasmic space was also overexpressed.

 

When the engineered S. oneidensis strain was exposed to electrons from an electrode, this achieved a ten-fold increase in hydrogen yield compared to a control, non-engineered strain.

 

Professor Wei Huang and his group explain the concept of producing hydrogen using bacterial nanoreactors.

 

First author of the study Weiming Tu, a DPhil candidate in Oxford’s Department of Engineering Science, said,

The natural periplasm of S. oneidensis offers an optimal nano-environment for hydrogen production, as it effectively ‘squeezes’ protons and electrons, thereby increasing the likelihood of their interactions within nanoscale spaces.

 

“Thermodynamically, this design results in a lower energy requirement for hydrogen production. This work is a good demonstration of engineering biology.”

 

Co-author Professor Ian Thompson (Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford) added:

 

Efficient, affordable, and safe green hydrogen production is a long-standing goal.

 

“Our bionanoreactor has suggested the potential of biocatalysts for clean energy production. The abiotic materials used in this work, including the graphene oxide and ferric sulfate nanoparticles, were synthesised by biological methods, making them more eco-friendly than traditional chemical approaches.”

 

According to the researchers, the system could be scaled up to produce ‘artificial leaves’, with the engineered cells printed onto carbon fibre cloth. When these artificial leaves are exposed to sunlight, they would immediately begin producing hydrogen. 

 

This work was published as the paper ‘Engineering bionanoreactor in bacteria for efficient hydrogen production’ in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science

 

This advance builds on the expertise Professor Huang’s lab group have developed in sustainable synthetic biology. In 2023, his group achieved a world-first in successfully bio-engineering a non-photosynthetic bacterium (called Ralstonia eutropha) to become photosynthetic – a pivotal proof-of-concept for the field. Similar to the Shewanella hydrogen nanoreactors, this system used rhodopsin, but this time as a replacement for the pigment chlorophyll (which normally powers photosynthesis).

 

Their achievement led to follow-on funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Science and Technology Agency (JST) in Japan to further develop new artificial photosynthetic cell systems to enhance green biotechnology. Alongside Professor Hiroyuki Noji (The University of Tokyo), Professor Wei Huang is leading a collaboration of eight UK and Japanese Universities to research new sustainable methods to convert carbon dioxide into useful bioproducts (such as biodegradable plastic). Ultimately, this could provide sustainable sources of important products for a diverse range of industries including healthcare, biomanufacturing, and agriculture.

 

Source: Hydrogencentral

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Verdagy has announced a strategic partnership with Petron Scientech, which will use over 320 MW of Verdagy’s eDynamic® electrolyzers to produce green hydrogen for integration into Petron’s first biorefinery project for the production of SAF and e-methanol.

 

The two companies are collaborating on several biorefinery projects to produce SAF, e-methanol and bio-chemicals and polymers.

 

Commenting on the partnership, Yogi Sarin, CEO of Petron Scientech, said: “Petron is developing several sustainability-focused, low carbon-intensity score, biorefineries and is engaged with leading airlines for the offtake of SAF made using Petron’s ethanol and bio-ethylene technologies as well as with shipping companies on the offtake of e-methanol, produced using green hydrogen. We were seeking a green hydrogen solution partner that integrates well with our biorefineries/renewable chemicals, has leading performance, and the technology expertise to scale to multiple GWs in a capital-efficient manner. Verdagy fits the bill perfectly and we look forward to collaborating with the company on several projects globally.”

 

Verdagy’s CEO Marty Neese added: “We are excited to collaborate with Petron to grow the SAF and biofuels markets. Verdagy’s mission is to provide green hydrogen at fossil parity costs, without subsidies, within five years, to drive mass adoption and to meaningfully lower carbon emissions.  Our electrolyzers pair seamlessly in real-time with renewable intermittent energy sources, and our industry-leading efficiency and operating range maximize asset utilization, leading to the lowest levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) in the world today.”

 

Source:  Hydrogentechworld

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CORALVILLE, IA --  SunHydrogen, Inc. (OTCQB: HYSR), the developer of a breakthrough technology to produce renewable hydrogen using sunlight and water, today shared strong test results from a recent trip to Japan where members of the SunHydrogen team collaborated with consultants Prof. Kazunari Domen, Dr. Hiroshi Nishiyama and Dr. Taro Yamada at the University of Tokyo and visited the Honda R&D facility in Tochigi.

Breakthrough in Large Area Solar-to-Hydrogen Efficiency
At Prof. Domen’s laboratory at the University of Tokyo, SunHydrogen conducted large-area solar testing of its 1200cm² hydrogen modules, manufactured in collaboration with CTF Solar, that comprised the Company’s recent 1m² demonstration system.

SunHydrogen is pleased to report that the 1200cm² modules demonstrated an active-area solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 9%. Importantly, this marks the highest reported efficiency for a hydrogen module of this size.

Previously, SunHydrogen validated an efficiency exceeding 10% in its 100cm² hydrogen modules, tested at Honda R&D. The current results demonstrate that even after scaling up tenfold, the Company remains close to the 10% active-area efficiency threshold – an achievement that underscores the viability of its technology at larger scales.

Additionally, the modules were tested under wide temperatures, ranging from 5°C to 40°C and their efficiency remained stable across the full temperature range. The team utilized a state-of-the-art LED solar simulator, uniquely capable of simulating the solar spectrum over a large enough area to test modules of this scale.

“Scaling up tenfold presents unique challenges, and we are extremely pleased to have maintained such high efficiency in our first large-area test. To our knowledge, this remains the highest reported efficiency for a hydrogen module of this scale,” said SunHydrogen’s CEO Tim Young.

“These results give us confidence that with further design optimization, including maximizing active water-splitting area and refining catalyst loading, we can push efficiencies to 10% and beyond in future generations of larger modules,” said SunHydrogen’s Chief Technology Officer Dr. Syed Mubeen. “We are also thrilled to come away from this trip with critical data confirming the stability of our hydrogen modules under varying temperatures.”

Advancing Real-World Testing with Honda
Following its laboratory testing at the University of Tokyo, the SunHydrogen team visited its joint development partners at Honda R&D in Tochigi, Japan. At their facilities, the team observed on-sun rooftop testing of SunHydrogen’s 100cm² hydrogen modules.

“We were particularly impressed by Honda’s innovative housing unit design, which enables hydrogen and oxygen separation without the use of membranes – a first-of-its-kind approach – and we will continue ongoing testing of the 100cm² modules,” Dr. Mubeen said.

Honda will soon test SunHydrogen’s 1200cm² modules under on-sun conditions using a similar rooftop setup, and SunHydrogen is eager to utilize the performance data from these extended tests to further refine its module design.

“Our visit to Japan provided valuable insights and key validation for SunHydrogen’s technology in both controlled laboratory conditions and real-world outdoor environments,” Mr. Young said. “The University of Tokyo’s unique solar simulator enabled the most comprehensive and precise efficiency testing of our large-area modules to date, while Honda’s membrane-free separation approach represents a significant milestone in real-world implementation. We extend our sincere gratitude to the entire Honda R&D team under the leadership of Mr. Yuichi Matsuo, as well as to Prof. Domen, Dr. Yamada and Dr. Nishiyama.”

About SunHydrogen, Inc.

SunHydrogen is developing breakthrough technologies to make, store and use green hydrogen in a market that Goldman Sachs estimates to be worth $12 trillion by 2050. Our patented SunHydrogen Panel technology, currently in development, uses sunlight and any source of water to produce low-cost green hydrogen. Like solar panels that produce electricity, our SunHydrogen Panels will produce green hydrogen. Our vision is to become a major technology supplier in the new hydrogen economy. By developing, acquiring and partnering with other critical technologies, we intend to enable a future of emission-free hydrogen production for all industrial applications such as fertilizer and petroleum refining as well as fuel cell applications for mobility and data centers. To learn more about SunHydrogen, please visit our website at www.SunHydrogen.com.  

 

SunHydrogen Achieves Highest Efficiency for Large-Area Hydrogen Module

 

SunHydrogen Achieves Highest Efficiency for Large-Area Hydrogen Module - Fuelcellsworks

SunHydrogen, Inc. achieves 9% active-area solar-to-hydrogen efficiency for its 1200cm² hydrogen modules, the highest reported for a module of this size.

fuelcellsworks.com

 

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New Office in Korean Tech Hub, Pangyo, Positions Clean Tech Innovator for Growth

NEW YORK & PANGYO, South Korea --Amogy, a provider of mature, scalable, and efficient ammonia-to-power solutions, today announced the expansion of its operations into South Korea with the opening of an office in the Pangyo Techno Valley. By establishing this formal presence in a key market, Amogy will be in close proximity to established investors and partners, including SK Innovation, Samsung Heavy Industries, HD Hyundai, Hanwha, SV Investment, Korea Zinc, and more. It also brings the company closer to key maritime and hydrogen technology supply chains, positioning it for growth and commercialization following the latest successful demonstration of its technology in a maritime vessel.

“Under the significant regulatory support for its hydrogen economy, South Korea’s network of world-class organizations in manufacturing, maritime, and hydrogen and ammonia technologies has already been instrumental in accelerating Amogy’s growth,” said Seonghoon Woo, CEO and co-founder of Amogy. “This expansion lays the foundation for even stronger roots in a region that will continue to be critical for Amogy as we bring our solutions to the market. Together with our partners and investors in the region, we are dedicated to advancing South Korea’s vision of carbon-free power and heavy industry decarbonization, driving its economic growth and leadership throughout the energy transition."

Korea’s status as an early adopter in ammonia and hydrogen fuel technologies, along with robust national policies that support the clean tech economy, was a major driver in Amogy’s decision to establish a local presence. In 2024, South Korea held the world’s first auction for electricity generation using hydrogen and ammonia under the Clean Hydrogen Production Standard (CHPS). The country is also advancing grid stability through the recently enacted Distributed Energy Act (DEA), which promotes distributed generation to meet growing power demands.

Additionally, home to three of the world’s leading shipyards, South Korea stands at the forefront of maritime innovation and the development of hydrogen technologies. As the largest market for fuel cell solutions in terms of total power output deployed and with a goal to commercialize ammonia-fueled power generation by 2030, South Korea is a key market for Amogy’s ammonia-based energy solutions.

Amogy’s new office in Pangyo will be led by Dr. Stone Zhang, Managing Director in Asia. Dr. Zhang will oversee key local partners and business development for the Asia Pacific region. Prior to Amogy, Dr. Zhang was with DNV where he gained over a decade of regional and global executive experience working across the maritime and energy value chains. Dr. Zhang has a Ph.D. in Marine and Offshore Engineering from Harbin Engineering University and an Executive M.B.A. from Rice University.

“Our entry into the South Korean market comes at a pivotal moment,” said Zhang. “With the help of transformative legislation like CHPS and DEA, Korea is projected to generate 2% of its electricity from hydrogen and ammonia by 2030, increasing to 7% by 2035. Building on this momentum, Amogy is partnering with leading innovators such as SK Innovation, HD Hyundai Infracore, Samsung Heavy Industries, and Hanwha to develop ammonia-fueled solutions for distributed power generation and maritime applications. This new office will enable closer collaborations across the local value chain with industry players who are just as invested as us in the decarbonization journey.”

In September 2024, Amogy completed the latest successful demonstration of its technology, sailing the world’s first carbon-free, ammonia-powered maritime vessel. Bolstered by a recently announced investment of $56 million in venture financing, the company is now advancing towards commercializing its solutions to achieve its mission of decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors such as global shipping and power generation.

To learn more about Amogy and its technology, please visit www.amogy.co.

About Amogy

Amogy provides carbon-free energy solutions to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors like maritime shipping, as well as stationary power generation applications. Proven in real-world applications, its patented ammonia cracking technology is mature, scalable and a highly efficient method for splitting liquid ammonia, generating electrical power in combination with hydrogen fuel cells.

Amogy is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, with additional locations including Houston, Texas, Norway, and Singapore. Amogy is backed by investors including Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, Temasek, SK Innovation, Aramco Ventures, Mitsubishi Corporation, Samsung Heavy Industries, BHP Ventures, and AP Ventures.

 

Amogy Expands to South Korea, Strengthens Regional Presence

 

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