Dr. Engineer Abdel Salam Darwish, a lecturer in Environmental Engineering Management at the University of Bolton in England, revealed a recent study showing that floating offshore wind energy is a promising source for green hydrogen production, noting that there are three scientifically discussed scenarios for integrating wind energy with hydrogen production in general.

Darwish said on the sidelines of the 7th Ajman International Environmental Conference, which was recently held, that hydrogen is a good option for storing excess energy produced from renewable energy sources, which helps reduce emissions and the risks that significantly affect the planet. He identified four activities that help reduce these risks, which include: renewable energy, energy efficiency, electric vehicles, and hydrogen.

He pointed out that renewable energy has made significant progress, with global investment in it expected to reach 1.9 trillion dollars by the end of 2024.

Planetary Heat

In detail, Dr. Engineer Abdel Salam Darwish, a lecturer in Environmental Engineering at the University of Bolton in England, confirmed that global warming has a significant impact on the planet. He pointed out that the average global temperature is expected to rise by more than 1.8°C this year, 2.75°C by 2050, and 3.08°C by the end of 2100. This increase will lead to severe risks, including erratic weather conditions, loss of biodiversity, and food insecurity.

Darwish told "Emirates Today" on the sidelines of the 7th Ajman International Environmental Conference, which was recently held, that there are four key activities that can help mitigate these risks, including reducing the global average temperature to 1.5°C by 2050. He explained that these activities include: renewable energy, energy efficiency, electric vehicles, and hydrogen.

He added that renewable energy has made significant progress, with global investment in it expected to reach $1.9 trillion by the end of this year. He pointed out that in order to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, two-thirds of electricity generation must come from renewable sources by 2030. This requires a 12% annual increase in renewable energy production capacity for six years, meaning a global increase from 200 gigawatts annually in 2024 to 630 gigawatts annually by 2030.

He mentioned that wind and solar energy have seen a decrease in costs in recent years, encouraging investment in these types of clean energy. He noted that the capacity of wind turbines has reached over 6.8 megawatts on land and 16 megawatts at sea.

Hydrogen

Darwish said: "For a long time, hydrogen has been used as a potential alternative energy source, and with the development of green hydrogen technology, it is now possible to produce hydrogen in a clean and environmentally friendly way. Green hydrogen is considered an exciting option as an alternative fuel for cars and airplanes, and it is also used in other areas such as electricity generation and energy storage."

He added, "Green hydrogen sources rely on renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, for its production. Additionally, hydrogen is a good option for storing excess energy generated from renewable sources, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

Promising source

Darwish stated that floating offshore wind energy is considered one of the promising sources for producing green hydrogen due to its enormous energy potential, making it one of the most promising sources for hydrogen production, according to a recent study. He pointed out that this technology relies on floating wind power stations in seas and oceans, allowing for the generation of large amounts of electricity from offshore winds in a clean and sustainable way. This electricity can then be used for water desalination and electrolysis to produce green hydrogen. He explained that the process of producing green hydrogen involves using an electrolyzer to split water into oxygen and hydrogen using electricity generated from floating wind power stations. The hydrogen-based energy system has gained significant attention globally as an essential component of the future energy grid, and the technical feasibility goals for this type of system have been outlined.

Scenarios

Drouiche explained that there are three scientifically discussed scenarios for integrating wind energy with hydrogen production in general. The first scenario involves centralized electrolytic analysis onshore to take advantage of stronger and more consistent wind speeds. Large-scale floating offshore wind farms are deployed in deep waters, and cables under the sea transfer the electricity produced by onshore wind turbines, which power centralized electrolyzer facilities to produce green hydrogen. The infrastructure for hydrogen production and distribution on land is considered highly suitable for areas with strong offshore wind resources and abundant suitable land. He added that the second scenario involves decentralized offshore electrolytic analysis, where electrolyzer units are placed in proximity to floating wind farms on maritime platforms. The hydrogen produced offshore is then transported to the shore via pipelines or other means. This approach would be useful for areas without land space for electrolyzer equipment or those unable to transport electricity underwater over long distances. As for the third mixed scenario, Drouiche explained that it combines the first and second scenarios in a hybrid approach, where some offshore wind farms may connect to onshore electrolyzer facilities, while others might use pipelines to transport hydrogen and conduct offshore electrolysis. He pointed out that this scenario would offer greater flexibility depending on the region's needs and resources.

Lower costs

Darwish mentioned that in addition to addressing logistical challenges, this innovative strategy works to enhance free trade, reduce costs, and simplify infrastructure.

Darwish emphasized that the project does not require large-scale land acquisition, which results in lower costs and simplifies operations. Moreover, the absence of complex land-based infrastructure facilitates smoother implementation and public acceptance by enhancing efficiency and safety.

«COP28»

Dr. Engineer Abdul Salam Darwish, a lecturer in Environmental Engineering at the University of Bolton in the UK, stated that the COP28 climate conference, recently hosted by the UAE, studied the production of green hydrogen from floating offshore wind energy. The conference focused on supporting factors such as global collaboration, knowledge exchange, certification, technical cooperation, and market potential. He pointed out that all these factors were carefully considered to achieve a successful and promising outcome for the development and adoption of hydrogen generation technology from new and renewable energy sources.