GREEN SYSTEMS

Hennie Colyn at Schneider Electric discusses the complexities of green hydrogen and how technology can support the demanding sector .

However , the report also warns that hydrogen as a fuel source has not gained widespread acceptance . “ The technologies required to use hydrogen efficiently are still in the developing phase or are working models . The demand for green hydrogen currently is limited to the developed and developing countries that are a part of the net zero emissions pact ,” noted Markets and Markets .

As it stands , one of the major obstacles in the green hydrogen process is the ability to achieve optimal fuel and air distribution to the ( PEM ) Proton Exchange Membrane stack . A PEM stack uses electricity to turn water into oxygen and hydrogen by electrolysis . The stack is therefore the core working element of the electrolyser . The more stacks you have , the more hydrogen you can produce .

Process automation systems such as AI algorithms and data intelligence – together with a software-centric universal automation offer based on the IEC61499 standard for interoperability and portability – optimise the complex green hydrogen production processes by predicting and

controlling parameters . This increases efficiency , quality and safety while reducing Capex and accelerating faster time to market .

Transitioning to green hydrogen

A whitepaper by Schneider Electric , How technology can advance green hydrogen , outlines three crucial steps to successfully transitioning to green hydrogen :

• Improving knowledge to drive design and engineering results

• Ensuring safety and efficiency to optimise operations .

• Developing and implementing requirements for green certification

Producing hydrogen through electrolysis has been possible for a long time . However , green hydrogen is still implemented on a smaller scale than its renewable energy peers . One of the major stumbling blocks is the scaling-up process , a challenge faced by many new technologies .

Transitioning from small-scale viability demonstrations to large-scale industrial processing requires a shift from strictly scientific and technological obstacles to logistical and challenges .

The second challenge , safety , sees industry acknowledging the risks associated with green hydrogen . However , and importantly , green hydrogen also possesses features that make it safer to handle , when used correctly , than conventional fuels like gasoline and diesel .

Hydrogen ’ s versatility and strength as an energy carrier allow it to be used directly to power fuel cells or to store excess energy from renewable sources . Large amounts of hydrogen can be stored in tanks as highpressure gas , and even more , significant amounts of it can be stored as a liquid at low pressures and cryogenic temperatures .

That said , any system used to handle hydrogen must address the relevant safety hazards unique to its material properties .

Looking at green certification , the challenge for producers is to ensure all produced hydrogen is green and certified for offtakers . Since handling hydrogen is similar to handling natural gas , these challenges can be solved with technology solutions that have a long and proven history in the oil and gas industry . Digitalisation will play a significant role in resolving these challenges and , at the same time , will facilitate more efficient and immediate collaboration .

There are a number of key technology solutions that can play an important role in green hydrogen production , including :

• Process modelling and integrated engineering using a digital twin

• A combined safety , power , and process control system

• AI and Machine Learning ( ML to improve analytics for optimised asset performance )

• Blockchain to enable verifiable green certification . �

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