(Invited) Hydrogen Fuel Cell Systems in Nordic Regions
Authors: Pollet Bruno G. , Islam Md Hujjatul , Burheim Odne Stokke 
Published: February 2020

The Nordic Hydrogen Corridor (NHC) project was launched in 2016 to introduce new Hydrogen Refueling Stations (HRS), hydrogen production units (electrolysers) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV) along the Trans-European Transport (TENT-T) Network in Sweden in the period 2017-2020. This HRS network will enable zero emission transport facilities between the capital of the Nordic countries from Norway through Sweden to Denmark and Finland and further via Germany to the rest of the Europe [1]. In the case of Norway, the country’s strategy is structured around five closely interrelated themes addressing: (i) energy supply security, (ii) a fully-integrated energy market, (iii) energy efficiency, (iv) decarbonising the economy and (v) research, innovation and competitiveness. Climate change is one of the policy priorities of Norway. The country is a heavy producer of renewable energy and electricity generation, with hydropower being the source of most of the production [2]. For example, in 2013 Norway produced circa 134 TWh of electricity from which 96%, 1.5% and 2.5% was generated from hydropower, wind power and thermal power, respectively [2]. There is also a large potential in wind power, offshore wind power and wave power, as well as the production of bio-energy from biomass. Although, Norway has limited resources in solar energy, it is one of the world's largest producers of solar grade silicon and silicon solar cells. Hydrogen Energy has been identified by Norway as an alternative fuel with the potential for a substantial contribution to reduce petroleum dependence and greenhouse gases emissions in the long term. The Norwegian government supports the potential role of hydrogen for Norway in the transition to a zero-emission society [3,4]. In line with the EU, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies (HFCTs) have been identified as a key area of research priority for Norway [3-5]. For example, the White Paper on Norway’s energy policy [4] explicitly describes the national hydrogen priorities, which focus on research and development within production, storage and use of hydrogen. Indeed, among the renewable energy sources, HFCTs are considered as a key technology of the 21st century, not only because of its high efficiency in heat and electricity generation, but also because of its potential role in attaining sustainable energy system. It is also envisaged that HFCT will be integrated into “intelligent” energy networks, with conventional and distributed renewable electricity systems. Also, they enable flexible and adaptable fueling strategies, according to local resources, with fossil, bio-fuels or synthetic fuels to reduce impact on air pollution and climate change. For a few years, Norway has put significant effort in HFCT R&D through national and international projects as well as in implementing a hydrogen infrastructure. This presentation highlights the main HFCT projects in Norway along with the other Nordic countries.

References

[1] Scandinavian Hydrogen Highway Partnership (2018). Nordic Hydrogen Corridor. [online] Available at: http://www.scandinavianhydrogen.org/nhc/ [Accessed 25 Mar. 2018].

[2] Renewable energy production in Norway (2016). [online] Available at: https://www.regjeringen.no/en/topics/energy/renewable-energy/renewable-energy-production-in-norway/id2343462/ [Accessed 26 Mar. 2018].

[3] Analyses of the potential role of hydrogen for Norway in the transition to a zero-emission society, Tore Solheimslid, Master of Science Thesis, Department of Geophysics, University of Bergen, June 2017.

[4] The Norwegian Parliament. Kraft til endring - energipolitikken mot 2030. Norwegian White Papers, 25, 2015-2016.

[5] B.G. Pollet, I. Staffell, J.L. Shang, Electrochim. Acta 84 (2012) 235.