The world is at a turning point. We can either continue to add fossil-fuel infrastructure to the global energy system, or — and it’s an option that is becoming increasingly realistic due to huge technological advances in renewable energy — humanity embraces the low-carbon transition. These decisions will also have a huge impact on urban smog, pollution, and economic stability.
The stakes are high. But there is every reason to be positive. Renewable energy has been breaking records all over the world in recent years: renewables excluding large-scale hydroelectricity made up 53.6% of the gigawatt capacity of all technologies installed in 2015, exceeding the majority for the first time.
Making the switch to renewable energy requires a rethinking of the electricity network in terms of grid balancing and energy storage. For an insight into these challenges, cH2ange spoke to Dr Graham Cooley, CEO of ITM Power plc (LON:ITM), a manufacturer of pioneering integrated hydrogen energy solutions to enhance the use of renewable energy.
In this two-part interview, Dr Cooley, discusses the role of hydrogen in the clean energy transition. In part 1 he talks about Power to Gas technology and grid balancing, while in part 2 he focuses on the benefits offered by renewably generated hydrogen for transport.
Do you agree with the view that we’ve moved beyond a turning point from fossil fuels to renewables?
Yes I do, and there are a number of drivers. I don’t think we are going to carry on using the carbon molecule for energy. If the world switches to the electron or the hydrogen atom to carry its energy, then we can have a renewable and sustainable future.
It’s pretty straightforward: to move towards 100% renewables, we’ll need a significant amount of energy storage because the sun doesn’t shine at night, and the wind doesn’t blow all the time. And that’s why hydrogen is absolutely fundamental to the future.
