Energy & Decarbonization

IDTechEx predicts the stationary fuel cell market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 16.7% between now and 2035, with targets in place in countries worldwide to help achieve maximum growth and deployment of fuel cell technology. Despite the hype of low carbon benefits attached to fuel cells, this is only applicable when green hydrogen is used, with other gases producing carbon as a by-product of their sourcing, or reaction process within the fuel cell.

IDTechEx projects that the annual water electrolyzer market will exceed US$70 billion by 2034. However, access to more low-cost renewable electricity and stronger policy support for green hydrogen is needed to make it more competitive in various applications.

IDTechEx predicts that the annual demand for stationary fuel cells in the commercial market will surpass 1.9GW by 2035, with the main applications being in residential, industrial, utilities, commercial, and data sectors. Currently, over 80% of power worldwide is still obtained from fossil fuels, meaning there is lots of opportunity for growth and expansion of sustainable energy sourcing, with large demand and potential for fuel cells.

Friday 13 December 2024 - Building Towards Net-Zero: Which Technologies Can Decarbonize Cement? Discussion of key drivers and barriers for cement sector decarbonization, including stimulating public sector and private sector demand; Benchmarking the most impactful cement decarbonization technologies over the coming decade (leading supplementary cementitious materials, biomass-based fuels, waste-derived fuels, and CCUS), alongside emerging cement decarbonization technologies (new cement production processes and materials, kiln electrification, concentrated solar power, hydrogen); Contextualizing the impact of cement decarbonization technologies in 2035 within global progress towards net-zero by 2050

Achieving net zero by 2050 will require approximately 30 gigatonnes less CO2 to be emitted each year, alongside 2-10 gigatonnes of CO2 removal per year. CCUS has been recognized by many global bodies, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the International Energy Agency, as a great decarbonization tool to help achieve these goals.

As global populations rise and more regions urbanize, cutting back on construction isn't a viable decarbonization strategy. Leading cement decarbonization technologies, including supplementary cementitious materials, alternative fuels, and carbon capture, will avoid an additional 422 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, in the cement sector over the coming decade.

If H2ICE offers significant emissions reductions, can be done quickly, and does not compromise on performance and range (essential metrics for commercial vehicles), then what is holding it back?

With growing interest into the integration of fuel cells for stationary power, many commercial players have chosen to adopt either proton exchange membrane (PEM) or solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). However, alternative fuel cell technologies like alkaline fuel cells (AFCs), molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs), phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFCs) and direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) still compete for market share.

Across the globe, over 140 countries have set a net-zero target, with many committed to reaching net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. This Herculean task will require many emission reduction technologies in tandem - and the groundwork must be laid now. CCUS (carbon capture, utilization, and storage) solutions have been identified as one such vital tool with the ability to decarbonize existing industry assets.

Utilizing alternatives to helium where possible could allow for a greater conservation of helium, which could prove to be necessary for the market going forward. IDTechEx reports that since 2005, there have been 4 supply shortages of helium, each resulting in high price volatility, with the price of helium having almost doubled since 2021.