We recently carried out the first dispensing by a five-tonne hydrogen forklift at our head offices in Albacete. This marks the final phase of the pilot project through which we now produce green hydrogen (H2Vert) by the electrolysis of water. A process to obtain hydrogen in its purest and most environmentally friendly form.
Water (H2O), essential for life on Earth, contains 66% hydrogen. By applying electrolysis and using electricity sourced from renewable energies such as solar and wind farms, we break down water to extract hydrogen. This process is entirely CO2 emission-free, yielding only oxygen and water as by-products.
The Role of Renewable Hydrogen
Renewable hydrogen is pivotal in transitioning towards cleaner and more sustainable energy. It offers a path towards decarbonising several industries, including the oil, metallurgy, and chemical sectors. Furthermore, its use in land, sea and air transport, as well as for seasonal energy storage, is currently being explored.
Countries around the world are collaborating to produce hydrogen sustainably. Achieving this technical and environmental feat requires the involvement of industries, governments, research institutions, and public-private enterprises.
Spain holds significant potential for green hydrogen production, thanks to its abundant renewable energy resources. Eiffage Energía Sistemas has launched the innovative H2Vert R&D project to explore and deliver comprehensive solutions in renewable energy and green hydrogen generation to its customers.
H2Vert Production Process
Our H2Vert project uses water from our head office’s network and electricity from solar panels to generate hydrogen through electrolysis. We operate a 10kW electrolyzer, achieving a 70% efficiency rate. Every day we generate 4 kg of hydrogen, consuming 60 litres of water and 53 kWh of electrical energy.
The produced hydrogen is initially stored at 30 bars in low-pressure cylinders, then compressed to 500 bars in high-pressure cylinders for storage. This hydrogen fuels forklifts, which employ a fuel cell to convert hydrogen into electricity, which powers an electric motor.
Additionally, we employ a 5kW stationary fuel cell to generate electricity overnight using hydrogen from the low-pressure storage. This helps us to cover part of the site’s consumption when solar sources are not available.
