Exploring Europe’s Approach to Using Offshore Wind for Green Hydrogen Production

A new report by the Clean Energy States Alliance, Offshore Wind to Green Hydrogen: Insights from Europe, provides an overview of the plans, strategies, proposals, and challenges for the development of green hydrogen from offshore wind generation in Europe. Interest in offshore wind for green hydrogen production is being driven by the large offshore wind capacity under development in Europe, declining offshore wind costs, favorable policies, carbon prices, and a focus on economy-wide decarbonization. Pilot projects are underway, yet significant obstacles remain to wide-scale implementation.

In this CESA webinar, report author Val Stori and report contributor Lee Wilkinson discussed European green hydrogen policies, the regulatory environment, and the rationale for using European offshore wind for hydrogen. The panel discussion was moderated by CESA’s Executive Director, Warren Leon, who chatted with the panelists about Europe’s enabling regulatory environment, different offshore wind-to-hydrogen configurations currently under discussion, and challenges and opportunities facing green hydrogen development. In addition, panelists  discussed concerns about emissions of nitrogen oxides and highlight demonstration projects under development in Europe. They also explained why offshore wind to green hydrogen needs to be on a slower development trajectory in the US and why its future potential should not be used as a reason to develop new natural gas generators or prolong reliance on peaker plants.

Panelists:
Val Stori, Project Director, Clean Energy States Alliance
Lee Wilkinson, Senior Consultant, BVG Associates

Moderator: Warren Leon, Executive Director, Clean Energy States Alliance

This webinar was presented by the Clean Energy States Alliance as part of the Offshore Wind Accelerator Project (OWAP).