Rising temperatures and unusual rainfall and flooding are just some of the many effects of global warming. This in turn was increased by the constant use of fossil fuels, which produce large amounts of carbon dioxide when burned and pollute the environment. In order to counteract this damage, we are striving to introduce a new form of energy: green hydrogenthe fuel that could save the world.
In this sense, many countries are trying to adapt to this new modality. In South America, however, one in particular stands out as being the first in the region and the only one in the region to submit a project for implementation Latin America with two projects in development.
Warming leads to both droughts and floods. Photo: The Republic
What is green hydrogen?
He hydrogen It is the most common element in the universe. In fact, stars like the Sun are mostly made of this gas, which can also take on a liquid state. This attracted a lot of attention because its use produces up to three times more energy than gasoline and also produces no carbon dioxide.
Nevertheless, its use is limited due to the complexity of its production, as its existence on Earth is associated only with water. Separation from oxygen can be very expensive.
More and more countries around the world are implementing green hydrogen plants. Photo: Enel Green Power
However, a few years ago a new alternative emerged: green hydrogenwhich is produced by renewable energy such as sun and air in a process called electrolysis.
“Hydrogen will be the fuel that will inevitably replace petroleum-based fuels. It works similarly, requires similar infrastructure and will ultimately be part of a clean energy ecosystem that will transform our ecosystem into a much friendlier one,” Jordan Butler, CEO Cleanlight, told La República Colombia.
This is how a green hydrogen system works. Photo: Structuralia
Which country in South America has the most green hydrogen projects?
Although many countries in South America Chile wants to adapt to the production of green hydrogen and stands out for being the country with the most projects. According to the organization H2LACThere are 25 projects under development in this country, which are expected to be aimed at both export and domestic consumption. One of the most notable is the plant 10GW H2 Magallaneswhich will take advantage of the winds from the southern part of the country.
The government has already shown its enthusiasm for the new type of energy, estimating that Chile can produce 13% of the world's green hydrogen with one plant in 2021 Magellan and in the Chilean Antarctica. In this sense it is International Renewable Energy Agency reported that hydrogen will account for up to 12% of global energy consumption by 2050, leading to an increase Chile, Morocco and Namibia as its largest exporters.
For this purpose, the Green Hydrogen Facility program was implemented in Chile, receiving financial support of US$150 million from Chile World Bank.