Shell, Dutch oil major, and Norwegian steel maker Norsk Hydro announced this Tuesday they have agreed to pursue opportunities in green hydrogen production to decarbonize their operations. They would also deliver clean fuel to third parties in heavy industries, maritime, and road transport.
Firstly, the companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding this week. Under it, they will begin to assess and identify opportunities to produce and supply renewable hydrogen to Hydro, Shell; and the broader market from locations in Europe. The intention would be to expand into additional regions over time.
As discussed earlier, green hydrogen is a low carbon, sometimes carbon-neutral fuel made with renewable electricity and water. The fuel comes from the separation of water and hydrogen using electricity. This process is known as electrolysis. It has become one of the most regarded options for decarbonizing heavy industries, like manufacturing, transportation, etc.
Particularly for Hydro, the green hydrogen would replace natural gas in its aluminum production. When deployed, this solution will further advance Hydro into meeting its climate targets. In fact, the company aims to cut 30% of GHG gases by 2030.
About the matter, Arvid Moss, Hydro Executive Vice President for Energy, said. “Hydro looks to green hydrogen as a way to reduce our aluminum’s carbon footprint even further, as well as a business opportunity on its own merits in the ongoing decarbonization of the economy.”
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Shell and Hydro to continue work for the next nine months
He also remarked that Hydro Havrand, the company’s green hydrogen venture, can leverage a broad set of competencies within the company itself while offering help to other industrial players.
On the other hand, Elisabeth Brinton, Shell’s Executive Vice President for Renewables & Energy Solutions, stated. “Hydrogen will play a key role in decarbonizing hard-to-electrify sectors, which is vital for accelerating progress toward a net-zero emissions future.”
She further commented. “By leveraging each other’s strengths and capabilities, Hydro Havrand and Shell can work toward a shared goal of establishing integrated hydrogen value chains and ultimately a strong global market for hydrogen.”
Finally, according to Moss, Shell and Hydro will spend the coming nine months exploring the opportunities for collaboration. “What is important for the decarbonization of society is that large industrial players work together to find solutions quicker because what we need is scale,” he told Reuters.
