On Friday, June 14, the launch of the Green Hydrogen Explorer took place in Santiago, Chile. This event marks a milestone in the collaboration and cooperation between academia, industry and the governments of Chile and Spain, with the aim of boosting economic development and improving the quality of life of society. This project, developed by the Ministry of Energy, is part of the 2023-2030 Action Plan and was financed by the Chile-Spain Joint Fund for Triangular Cooperation, created in 2009 to strengthen technical cooperation between the two countries and promote joint actions in third countries.
Currently, in Chile, approximately 80% of the energy consumed comes from fossil fuels. In 2022, 64% of the energy used came directly from fossil fuels for a variety of uses, while 22% corresponded to electricity, almost half of which also relied on fossil fuels. Chile’s goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, which implies a significant increase in electricity consumption and the use of green hydrogen, which will represent between 16% and 17% of energy consumption. Green hydrogen, produced from renewable energies, is essential for the decarbonization of sectors that are difficult to electrify and positions Chile as a potential exporter of this resource.
The Green Hydrogen Explorer is a free online analysis tool to assess the feasibility of green hydrogen production projects in Chile that will be updated with new data and potentials periodically until 2030, facilitating the evaluation of green hydrogen production projects in Chile. Based on the renewable energy potential mapped by the Chilean Ministry of Energy, this tool offers data on estimated costs of green hydrogen production, storage and management, as well as estimates of energy and water requirements. It provides access to crucial information for private developers, investors, academics and public officials, facilitating a comprehensive analysis of the green hydrogen value chain.
The launch of this tool was attended by the Ambassador of Spain in Chile and representative of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), Rafael Garranzo; Ivan Mertens, deputy head of the Department of Sector Coordination of AGCID; and Luis Felipe Ramos, Undersecretary of Energy of Chile.
During the event, Spanish Ambassador Rafael Garranzo pointed out that, according to the International Energy Agency, the world currently consumes 70 million tons of hydrogen per year, but less than 1% is produced by electrolysis of water with renewable energy.
Green hydrogen, produced with renewable energies, is key to reducing dependence on fossil fuels and decarbonizing sectors such as heavy industry and long-distance transport. It also has great potential as an energy storage system, and is essential for the energy transition and the fight against climate change.
Meanwhile, Ivan Mertens, representative of AGCID highlighted the importance of the Green Hydrogen Explorer, financed by the Chile-Spain Joint Fund for Triangular Cooperation. This project facilitates the technical, economic and territorial evaluation of green hydrogen projects in Chile, offering an online tool that allows to know the estimated costs of production, storage and management of green hydrogen. This tool is accessible to private developers, investors, academics, public officials and other key actors in the green hydrogen industry, facilitating investment and development decisions.
Luis Felipe Ramos, Undersecretary of Energy, underscored the historic cooperation between Chile and Spain in the energy field. This collaboration allows Chile to develop a sustainable industry that will contribute to a new model of productive development and to the fight against climate change.
climate change. Ramos stressed that green hydrogen, together with copper and lithium, form a powerful triad that will position Chile at the forefront of key industries for a sustainable future.
The launch of the Green Hydrogen Explorer is one of the first measures of the 2023-2030 Action Plan and is implemented through the Chile-Spain Joint Fund for Cooperation Fund. This mechanism, created in 2009, promotes joint actions between both countries and focuses on renewable energies and energy efficiency. In this way, Spain and Chile focus on the development of the green hydrogen industry, taking advantage of the capacities and experiences accumulated by both countries.
Link to the live broadcast (recording): https://www.youtube.com/live/YNbdFuepRYg
Images Credit: AECID / Ministry of Energy of Chile
