Green Hydrogen: experts from Brazil, Germany, and the U.S. discuss clean energy

Research, strategies, and initiatives for the production and use of green hydrogen as a clean energy option will be discussed during the online event “The Future is Green Hydrogen – Perspectives from Germany, Brazil, and the U.S.,” scheduled for April 14, at 1:00 p.m. (BRT)/ 6:00 p.m. (MEZ)/ 12:00 p.m. (EDT). The discussion will provide information on strategies, research, and production of green hydrogen, an energy source with which Brazil will be able to strategically position itself in the global market. This topic is continuously gaining greater relevance.

These online talks (acronym DSPOT), organized by the German Center for Research and Innovation (DWIH) São Paulo, shed light on compelling current topics. The DSPOT on green hydrogen will discuss trends and possibilities for partnerships between Germany, Brazil, and the U.S.. Hydrogen is considered “green” when it is produced from renewable sources, which gives Brazil a strategic advantage due to its energy matrix.

Brazil and Germany have been working together on the development of a sustainable fuel for aviation since 2017. The Alternative Fuels Without Climate Impacts (ProQR) project is a cooperative effort between Germany’s Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) agency, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovations (MCTI), and the Brazilian National Petroleum Agency (ANP). It is no coincidence that this online panel is moderated by Kristina Kramer, who is responsible for the Brazil-Germany partnership in the Energy Sector of GIZ, and by DWIH São Paulo Coordinator Marcio Weichert.

The online DSPOT, “The Future is Green Hydrogen – Perspectives from Germany, Brazil, and the U.S.,” will take place in the form of short presentations and a moderated chat, featuring speakers José Luís Gonçalves de Almeida, Executive Manager of SENAI CIMATEC, Brazil; Karsten Pinkwart, Member of the National Hydrogen Council of Germany and Deputy Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology (ICT); Sebastian Fendt, Chairman of the Biomass and Renewable Fuels Department, Germany; and Tanya Peacock, Senior Director, Government Affairs and Policy of Bloom Energy, U.S.

The discussion, which is open to the public and free of charge, will be held in English and aired in English and Portuguese on DWIH São Paulo’s YouTube channel.

Regarding green hydrogen

Green hydrogen is considered to be a key possibility for the decarbonization of the world and for compliance with the Agreement of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP26). The text sets a 45% global reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, compared to 2010, as well as CO₂ neutrality by 2050.

Although present in the composition of water, in order for hydrogen to be used as an energy source, it must be separated from oxygen via electrolysis, which in turn requires the use of energy. Most important, here, is that the energy used to produce more energy is of the renewable type.

According to a study by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the current cost of green hydrogen could drop from around six dollars per kilogram to one or two dollars per kilogram by 2030. In recent decades, Germany has invested heavily in leading-edge renewable energy technologies, especially wind and solar, and is attempting to distance itself even further from fossil energy sources, particularly Russian gas and oil. Brazil can position itself as a strategic partner of Germany in this area.

In 2021, the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), called for researchers from around the world, who are interested in conducting studies on green hydrogen in Germany. More public notices regarding this topic are expected to be posted in the coming years.