Green hydrogen is a key energy source in Spain’s strategy to achieve climate neutrality and decarbonise the economy. This type of hydrogen produces no carbon emissions, making it an essential component for sectors that are difficult to electrify and isolated energy systems.

Green or renewable hydrogen

Hydrogen generated from renewable electricity, using water as feedstock, by means of an electrolysis process. Likewise, hydrogen obtained by biogas reforming or biochemical conversion of biomass, provided that the established sustainability requirements are met, shall be renewable.

Electrolysis consists of using an electric current to break down the water molecule into oxygen and hydrogen by means of electrodes.

Different types of hydrogen

It is worth knowing that in addition to green or renewable hydrogen, there are different types of hydrogen on the market, which are classified according to colour, in order to distinguish them more easily when referring to them.

They are as follows:

  • Turquoise hydrogen: this is hydrogen generated from methane pyrolysis. Solid carbon is generated in this process, so unlike blue hydrogen, there is no need to capture the resulting carbon.
  • Grey hydrogen: hydrogen produced from natural gas or other light hydrocarbons such as methane or liquefied petroleum gases through reforming processes. Currently, 99 % of the hydrogen consumed in Spain is of this type.
  • Blue hydrogen: this is hydrogen obtained in a similar way to grey hydrogen, but to which carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) techniques are applied, thus reducing CO2 emissions generated during the process by up to 95%.
  • Yellow hydrogen: Yellow hydrogen is hydrogen generated from electricity from the primary grid, using water as a feedstock, through a process of electrolysis.
  • Pink hydrogen: Pink hydrogen is hydrogen generated from electricity from nuclear power, using water as a raw material, through a process of electrolysis.

Green hydrogen potential in Spain

Spain is positioning itself as one of the leading countries in the production and use of green hydrogen.

The Spanish Government’s Hydrogen Roadmap sets ambitious targets for electrolysis capacity by 2030 and the development of industrial value chains related to the production and application of renewable hydrogen.

This is a key part of Spain’s decarbonisation strategy, which aims to achieve climate neutrality and a 100% renewable electricity system by 2050. This effort will not only contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but will also boost the economy by creating jobs in innovative and sustainable sectors.

Present and future uses

Green hydrogen is currently used in the following scenarios:

  • Chemical industry: Hydrogen is an essential component in the production of ammonia and methanol, key chemicals in the manufacture of fertilisers and plastics. Traditionally, the chemical industry has relied on grey hydrogen, but green hydrogen offers a carbon-free alternative.
  • Oil refineries: In refineries, hydrogen is used for desulphurisation processes, which remove sulphur from crude oil to produce cleaner fuels. Green hydrogen can replace grey hydrogen in these processes, reducing CO2 emissions from refineries.
  • Power and heat: Green hydrogen can be used in combined heat and power systems to simultaneously produce electricity and heat, improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions compared to fossil fuels.
  • Transport: Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, such as cars, buses and trains, are starting to use green hydrogen. These vehicles convert hydrogen into electricity to power electric motors, emitting only water as a by-product. This makes them a clean alternative to vehicles with internal combustion engines.

The scenarios are expected to be as follows in the future:

  • Electricity generation and storage: Green hydrogen can be used to store renewable energy. When there is excess electricity generation (e.g. during sunny or windy days), this energy can be used to produce hydrogen through electrolysis. The stored hydrogen can then be converted back into electricity when demand is high or renewable generation is low, providing an effective means of balancing electricity grids.
  • Heavy transport: Hydrogen’s high energy density makes it an attractive option for heavy transport, such as trucks, ships and aircraft, where electric batteries may be less practical due to their weight and size. The use of green hydrogen in these sectors could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Industrial decarbonisation: Energy-intensive industries, such as steel and cement production, can benefit from green hydrogen to reduce their CO2 emissions. In steel production, for example, hydrogen can replace coal as a reductant in the direct iron reduction process, eliminating carbon emissions.
  • Production of synthetic fuels: Green hydrogen can be combined with captured carbon dioxide to produce synthetic fuels, such as methane or liquid fuels that can be used in internal combustion engines. These fuels would be carbon neutral, as the CO2 emitted during their combustion would be equivalent to the CO2 captured for their production.
  • Energy export: countries with abundant renewable energy resources can become exporters of green hydrogen. Hydrogen can be liquefied and transported to countries that do not have the capacity to produce enough renewable energy on their own, facilitating a global transition to cleaner energy.