Digital Technologies

We must use all available technology to accelerate the transition to net-zero to support increasingly ambitious plans. This article details how recent developments in digital technology help progress and accelerate industrial decarbonization, ranging from harvesting low-hanging fruit to promoting fundamental changes in production processes.

While other industries are undergoing digital transformations, the H₂ ecosystem is a greenfield that can begin operations with transformative technologies in place. These technologies empower people, optimize processes and automate systems to enhance business performance across the enterprise.

H₂ is poised to become a crucial part of the decarbonization equation as countries strive to reach net-zero carbon emissions. To date, electrification has been the primary focus for decarbonization—the increasing use of electric vehicles is a clear example of that.

According to the Hydrogen Council, investment in H₂ projects by 2030 will total $500 B. Some studies have shown that H₂ can support one-quarter of the world’s energy needs by 2050.

Renewable hydrogen (H₂) is set to play an essential role in displacing carbon emissions to support net-zero ambitions, particularly for hard-to-abate sectors such as heavy industry, shipping, heavy-goods vehicles and heating (where direct electrification is difficult).

PEM fuel cells convert chemical energy from H₂ and oxygen to electrical energy, emitting only water and heat as byproducts. Within the realm of PEM fuel cells, there are two main types: low-temperature PEM fuel cells and high-temperature PEM fuel cells.

According to the International Energy Agency, by the end of 2023, China’s installed electrolyzer capacity is expected to reach 1.2 GW, which would be 50% of the entire global capacity. The country is responsible for more than 40% of electrolysis projects that have reached the final investment decision globally.

The December H₂Tech: Tech Spotlight covers a cryogenic ball valve to help control fugitive emissions, an online tool for heat exchanger choice in the H₂ market, electrodes for alkaline electrolyzers and much more.