Hydrogen is the lightest gas and the smallest molecule. Combined with oxygen, it forms water and generates electricity and heat without emissions when it is used in a fuel cell. Hydrogen can be produced from a large number of primary energy sources and by various technical processes.
Today, hydrogen is mostly produced by using fossil fuels (75% natural gas and 20% coal), dubbed “grey” hydrogen. Less than5% is made through water electrolysis, which is the process of putting electricity into water (H2O) to split the water molecule into H2 molecule and oxygen molecule (O2). When electricity from a renewable energy source is used, the hydrogen can be labelled as renewable or “green”.
In GREEN HYSLAND, green hydrogen will be produced through electrolysis using electricity from photovoltaic energy.
Through a planned, strategic energy transition based on H2, fully supported by the regional and national governments, as well as by existing infrastructure and assets, Mallorca is Europe’s best placed island community to move towards commercial deployment of H2 technologies at scale, while being Europe’s first example of an integrated island economy based on green H2. Mallorca is ideally positioned to develop the first H2 hub in Southern Europe, due to:
1. Resources available and established government targets for large-scale supply of RES: in 2019, the Balearic Government completed its strategic vision for making the Balearic Islands’ economy more sustainable by setting the ambitious goal to reduce their CO2 emissions by 90% and to reach 100% penetration of renewable energy (RES) by 2050;
2. An established international tourism industry that receives more than 16 million tourists per year, with potential for deployment of H2 and fuel cell technologies in high-visibility applications such as hotel infrastructures, airports, ports, ferries and vehicle renting/leasing fleets;
3. An existing, distinct gas grid infrastructure that will be decarbonized via injection of increasing amounts of H2;
4. The strong knowledge and industry-led innovation infrastructure with support from national centres of excellence with recognised experience on HFC technologies: the loss of skilled industrial, island-based jobs has focused attention on the need to develop clean innovative industrial businesses and energy solutions that will deliver the first steps of the island’s energy transition, while also developing new skills and creating jobs locally;
5. Full political and financial support e.g. through the Regional Government of the Balearic Islands and the National Government of Spain.
GREEN HYSLAND is much more than a pilot project in Mallorca. It is also about showing all the potential of renewable hydrogen for the decarbonisation and economic development of islands in the European Union and across the world.
Several islands are directly involved in GREEN HYSLAND as project partners and will participate in an in-depth replication study but we also encourage more islands, cities and regions to use our concept and roadmap on their territory. For more information, please check greenhysland.eu/replication
GREEN HYSLAND will be a 5-year project with a total initial investment of approximately 50 million euros. Financial contributions come from the European Commission through the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) and partners’ own resources. In addition, the project has been declared to be a Strategic Project by the Balearic Regional Government, and has support from the National Government through IDAE (The Spanish Institute for Diversification and Saving of Energy) and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism.
The Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) is a unique public private partnership supporting research, technological development and demonstration (RTD) activities in fuel cell and hydrogen energy technologies in Europe. Its aim is to accelerate the market introduction of these technologies, realising their potential as an instrument in achieving a carbon-clean energy system.
Hydrogen Europe is an umbrella association representing the European Industry, Research, and National and Regional Associations in the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell sector.