Integrated Solutions Along the Hydrogen Value Chain – the Way to the Optimum
The defossilization of the economy to achieve climate neutrality is one of the biggest challenges mankind is facing in the next decades. This goal shall be achieved by transitioning to renewable energy generation and by coupling the sectors energy, industry, buildings, and mobility mostly via electricity. Due to the high volatility of renewable energy generation from wind or solar power, reliable and cost-effective storage and transport means for huge energy quantities are a vital prerequisite. Only when they are fulfilled can the goal of carbon neutrality can be achieved. Hydrogen offers exactly these required capabilities and can additionally also be used as a reaction partner in the process industry.
Compressors are the linking components in the H2 value chain, connecting the process steps from H2 generation to end-users. They play a central role for storing and transporting hydrogen. Even though the gravimetric energy density of H2 is excellent, its low density, the lowest of all gases, make compression, liquefaction, or binding it to other materials or elements necessary for sensible technical usage. For all these processes to increase the volumetric energy density of hydrogen, efficient compressors are required. To achieve a globally optimized solution for each case, an holistic integrated approach of adjusting and selecting the components along the value chain is paramount.