Compared to existing fuels like natural gas, hydrogen does not produce carbon dioxide as a by-product, making it a promising fuel source that can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.
Why Green Hydrogen?
To limit global warming to no more than 1.5°C, as called for in the United Nation’s Paris Agreement, the world needs to reduce carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 and aim to reach net-zero by 2050.
Hydrogen is a key pillar of industrial decarbonisation, but there is a need to expedite the adoption of low-carbon hydrogen to put it on track for a sustainable energy system by 2050. Although many governments have announced a variety of policies, such as carbon pricing, a significant number of these measures have not yet entered into force. The enactment of these polices will scale up hydrogen demand substantially, driving the need to develop and grow the hydrogen production industry — in particular, the green hydrogen sector.
Widely recognised as the most sustainably produced form of hydrogen, green hydrogen is generated through electrolysis, with two key ingredients — renewable energy and high purity water. This electrolysis process takes place when a strong electrical current from a renewable energy source is passed through a tank of water to split the molecules into its two constituent elements, hydrogen and oxygen. After this process, the oxygen is released into the atmosphere and the hydrogen is stored as fuel for later use. When burned as a fuel, hydrogen produces no greenhouse gases — only water molecules.
With industries pushing towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, green hydrogen production is emerging as a game-changer to secure a greener future for generations to come.
The Importance of Purified Water
Feed water for green hydrogen production must be purified before it is fed to the electrolyser. As water quality varies depending on the source, it is critical to select the right purification technology that adequately treats the feed water — or operators risk damaging the electrolyser and compromising its output.
In many cases, pre-treatment of the feed water is also crucial to prevent fouling during the purification phase. The required pre-treatment processes are determined by the amount of total dissolved solids (TDS) present in the water, organic material, particulate matter, chlorine, and carbon dioxide.
Veolia offers our extensive experience of analysing feed water and selecting the ideal pre-treatment and purification technologies to address your purified water needs and fast-track your green hydrogen production goals. Let us help you to maximise the operational lifespan and improve the reliability of your water purification systems downstream.
We Know Water
The significance of water is often underestimated, especially the role it plays in businesses and manufacturing processes.
At Veolia, we understand water. Whether it is what makes up your source water, which treatment process is most suitable, or if pre-treatment is necessary, we have the expertise and experience to take you through the planning and decision-making process.
In this fast-moving market, it is important to rely on a qualified partner with a credible track record and a solid service infrastructure. With many plants located in remote areas, a partner who offers both local service support and digitally enabled services will play a crucial role to fast-track your green hydrogen production goals.
At Veolia, We Deliver. Lean on our proven technologies and years of experience in designing and packaging water treatment — our teams of local and global experts are ready to support you in all your water needs.