Hydrogen economy – 24 governments announce over 200 clean energy projects to demonstrate new technologies in response to climate crises.
23 national governments and the EU, working together through Mission Innovation (MI), announced they will coordinate to carry out 221 demonstration projects around the world this decade to accelerate clean energy technologies in the hardest-to-reduce sectors.
The announcement of the 7thth The Pittsburgh MI ministerial will drive public-private investment in technologies that need to be commercialized by 2030, including: at least 50 large-scale demonstration projects to decarbonize energy-intensive industries like steel, cement and chemicals; five projects on five continents to demonstrate the integration of up to 80% renewable energy into energy grids; and the identification of 100 “hydrogen valleys” worldwide.
The goal is to achieve cost inflection points by 2030 to accelerate the deployment of technologies to decarbonize sectors responsible for more than 52% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Drive innovation in critical sectors
These demonstration projects are a direct response to the International Energy Agency’s analysis that at least $90 billion in public funding is needed by 2026 to demonstrate technologies needed to decarbonize global energy systems, such as renewable energy, battery storage and hydrogen-based fuels[1].
This depends on international coordination to rapidly test solutions at scale in multiple configurations and in different regional contexts. These technologies must be commercially viable by 2030 in order to be deployed at scale in order to reach net-zero by 2050 (a target now adopted by 104 countries).[2].
Mission Innovation is the leading global initiative promoting public-private coordination of research, development and demonstration of clean energy technologies.
Its seven “missions” enable ambitious alliances between countries, companies, investors and research institutes to achieve ambitious climate goals by 2030 and ensure more innovation happens faster.
Together, they provide the mechanism to drive international cooperation and coordination, enabling governments to work together and target investment and action with the private sector.
The plans announced today include:
· Net-Zero Industries mission: at least 50 large-scale demonstration projects to decarbonize energy-intensive industries such as steel, cement and chemicals by 2030 to facilitate full industrial decarbonization in several regions of the world by 2050.
· Environmentally friendly future mission: five continental demonstrators integrating up to 80% variable renewable energy into existing power grids by 2024. After 2024, the program will aim to integrate up to 100% renewable energy.
· Clean Hydrogen Mission: 100 Clean Hydrogen Valleys identified by 2024 to demonstrate innovative hydrogen value chains and build economies of scale for different end-use sectors to reduce clean hydrogen costs. This could spur $90 billion in public-private investment and significant clean hydrogen capacity.
· Mission to remove carbon dioxide: Six countries pledge to fund at least one project that removes over 1,000 tons of CO2 per year by 2025. Participating countries will contribute to a common goal of $100 million for CDR demonstrations by 2025.
· Zero Emission Shipping Mission: the creation of a blueprint for zero-emission refueling ports for global shipping by 2024 to accelerate progress on the development of 10 major commercial ports on three continents along major ocean shipping routes delivering zero-emission fuels by 2030.
· Urban Transitions Mission: Establishment of a first cohort of 50 cities – expanded to 300 by 2024 – that will take a leading role in achieving net zero.
Working with the IEA and IRENA, progress is tracked annually to ensure accountability and transparency.
Ursula von der Leyen President of the European Commission said:
Research and innovation will drive the clean energy transition, which is needed more than ever.
“Together with our EU Member States, we expect Team Europe to be a leading contributor to our common goal of investing more, faster and bolder in breakthrough energy innovation demonstration projects.”
john kerry, The US President’s special envoy for climate said:
The need for clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy has never been greater.
“To deploy clean energy technologies at the scale and pace needed to avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis, we need swift and coordinated action from world leaders.”
“Mission Innovation plays a critical role in achieving our shared climate and clean energy goals by facilitating the international collaboration needed to maximize these investments and accelerate clean energy research, development and demonstration.”
dr Fatih Birol, The Executive Director of the International Energy Agency said:
There are promising signs that today’s energy crisis is accelerating the advance of clean energy technologies and could accelerate the transition to a more sustainable and secure energy system.
“More international collaboration through MI with its focus on key emissions sectors will be really important. The IEA will continue to support MI in all its endeavors.”
Promotion of international cooperation
The announcement comes as a key global report from the UNFCCC Climate Champions, the International Renewable Energy Agency and the IEA, stating that the world is way off track in meeting global climate goals and that a stronger international Collaboration and coordination is required is the required technologies[3].
Mission Innovation’s 24 members, including the US, China, India, UK and the European Commission, represent 95% of global public investment in clean energy innovation, and their collective investment and collaboration will drive the innovation needed to demonstrate and scale cleaner Technologies required to accelerate significantly.
The rapid demonstration of technologies to decarbonize global energy systems plays a crucial role in addressing the climate crisis and long-term volatility in energy prices. For example, as the cost of renewable energy continues to fall, technologies to integrate a high share of renewable energy into the electricity grids are crucial to ensure national supplies are not exposed to future price shocks.
Alternative fuels such as hydrogen have proven essential to drive long-term emissions reductions in energy-intensive sectors such as steel, cement and chemicals, dramatically reducing fossil fuel demand and the risk of future price volatility.
The economic opportunity is tremendous – accelerating clean energy innovation this decade can further support $1.5 trillion in value chains and support 16 million jobs in 2050[4].
The European Union’s RePowerEU program, announced in March to rapidly reduce fossil fuel dependency and spur the green transition, and the US Inflation Reduction Act passed in August gave a clear wake-up call on the importance of government support to accelerate from investment and innovation to scale clean energy technologies and create secure and affordable energy systems while boosting jobs and growth.
mike boots, Executive Vice President, Breakthrough Energy said:
Building a thriving, net-zero future requires unprecedented collaboration across sectors and borders – and Mission Innovation provides a critical platform to advance this global collective effort.
“Through close partnerships, businesses, governments and innovators can unlock the investments needed to make clean energy solutions affordable and accessible to communities around the world.”
Drew Leyburne, The Chairman of the MI Steering Committee said:
To achieve a global clean energy transition, we must discover, innovate and scale new clean energy solutions at an unprecedented pace.
“Mission Innovation supports this as a vital platform bringing together governments, businesses and innovators committed to taking collective action that will drive progress towards the Paris Agreement goals and accelerate the journey to global net-zero emissions. ”
Highlights:
- 23 national governments and the EU commit to conducting 221 demonstration projects to accelerate clean energy technologies this decade as part of the Mission Innovation initiative.
- Projects could unlock $90 billion in public-private funding to decarbonize global energy systems by 2050.
- Key new programs include demonstrating technologies to integrate 80% renewable energy; decarbonization of heavy industry; and boost the global green hydrogen economy.
- Follows new analysis showing the world is off track to meet global climate goals, with greater collaboration needed to develop and deploy essential technologies.
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24 governments announce over 200 clean energy projects to demonstrate new technologies in response to climate crises, PITTSBURGH, September 23, 2022
