[ interview ]
I then joined Tebodin ( nowadays part of Bilfinger ), a consultancy and engineering firm , where I developed projects in Central and Eastern Europe and started Tebodin ’ s office in Bulgaria . A brief stint at Capgemini Ernst & Young followed before I was contracted by Stamicarbon ( part of Maire ), the world ’ s largest fertiliser technology licenser , where , together with colleagues , I started up the project development department . This department evolved into NextChem and Met Development . About ten years ago , my work with hydrogen began at Stamicarbon , focusing initially on grey ammonia and fertilisers , laying the foundation for my involvement in the green hydrogen ecosystem .
At Brightlands Chemelot Campus , I focused on pilot plants where innovative chemical technology developers are supported . I then moved to TNO , working in the VoltaChem program , dealing with electrochemical processes like low-temperature CO 2 reduction , hydrogen production , and the integration of new technologies in industrial plants to reduce CO 2 emissions while keeping an interesting business case . At TNO , I also started up TNO ’ s molten metal methane pyrolysis programme , a process I regard as greener than green for its potential to produce hydrogen and solid carbon in one process without CO 2 emissions . One of the main advantages of this process is that hydrogen can be produced continuously and in high volume , a necessity for ammonia and other basicchemicals production facilities .
I am especially proud that at TNO I led the development of next-generation solid oxide electrolysers ( SOEC ) and initiated technology development projects with many of the SOEC OEMs , while at the same time gaining knowledge
Willem Frens , Managing Director and Principal Project Developer at BA2C zero emission molecule project development about other electrolyser technologies . Later , I joined McDermott as Global Energy Transition Advisor , learning even more about green hydrogen from an EPC perspective and working on safety aspects and hydrogen derivatives . After McDermott , I continued with HyCC , where I dealt with the development of green hydrogen ( derivative ) projects outside the Netherlands and Germany .
Since around the same time , I have also been advising French infrastructure asset investors on sustainable aviation fuel ( SAF ) projects in OECD countries and working with Climate Fund Managers from the Netherlands , focusing on locations in developing countries with great conditions for green hydrogen production , assessing green hydrogen ( derivative ) projects .
What are some locations you believe have optimal conditions for green hydrogen production , and why ?
Locations like Egypt , South Africa , Colombia , Mexico , and Brazil are highly promising due to their low-cost renewable electricity , which in these countries can be combined with biogenic carbon ( and CO 2
) and / or iron ore , and which already have an experienced workforce . These countries also have potential local offtake markets for products like fertilisers and direct reduced iron ( DRI ) or even green steel , making them ideal for integrated projects without the need to export the green hydrogen . In contrast , places like Namibia and Chile , while excellent for green hydrogen production , might focus more on export of hydrogen or hydrogen carriers due to limited local demand initially . To improve the business case there , local offtake markets should be developed .
Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 16 | June 2024 39