The strategy explores the opportunity for Ireland, hydrogen production, end-uses, transportation, storage, and infrastructure, alongside safety and regulation, research, cooperation, and scaling.
Why is Ireland focusing on renewable 'green' hydrogen?
It also sets out that Ireland will focus its efforts on the scale up and production of renewable "green" hydrogen, as it supports both our decarbonisation needs and energy security needs, given our vast indigenous renewable resources.
“Hydrogen Ireland welcomes release of the Government's Hydrogen Strategy. The strategy marks a key milestone in the development of a green hydrogen sector in Ireland, one which can enable investment, increase skills and support regionally balanced economic growth.
A comprehensive model of the European power and energy system was used to achieve realistic modelling of interconnector flows. A more detailed model of Ireland, including reserves, inertia, DC interconnectors, etc, investigates different investment options for different scenarios of adoption of hydrogen as a fuel source across sectors.
Describing hydrogen as a “major opportunity for Ireland”, he contends: “It provides the potential for long-duration energy storage, dispatchable renewable electricity, the decarbonisation of some parts of high-temperature processing, as well as a potential export market opportunity.”
Could Ireland have a hydrogen future?
The potential for hydrogen in Ireland is an area of increased interest across the industry. As O'Grady explains: “The focus for offshore wind is, correctly, how it can deliver Ireland's energy security and independence. Beyond that, Ireland's significant and plentiful homegrown renewable energy potential could be used in other ways.
Ireland has one of Europe's best offshore wind resources which could potentially be used to provide Europe with energy – whether that be in the form of electricity or as green hydrogen. For green hydrogen exports, business models, full value chain economics, and transmission solutions will determine the scale of this opportunity.”