On land, on sea and in the air: hydrogen is everywhere

A key solution for the transition to a low-carbon society, hydrogen is now in the starting blocks. Many projects, from production to end-use, have been launched in recent months, in particular in the transportation sector. Aviation, shipping, road transport, cabs: at Air Liquide, we're working with our partners to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen in all types of heavy and intensive mobility, with the aim to contribute to the development of the entire hydrogen sector. Spotlight on recent developments in the hydrogen mobility world. ⤵️

— The Editorial

Between energy sovereignty and the decarbonization of the economy, hydrogen is today at the heart of debates on the future of the energy landscape, particularly in Europe and in the USA. Whether for the production or transport of decarbonized hydrogen, numerous projects have been announced but one could argue that they have yet to be commissioned. We agree. Time is of the essence. At Air Liquide we believe focusing on key geographies and basins will enable us to rapidly scale up and enable hydrogen to gain momentum.

➡️Read the full opinion piece by François Jackow, CEO of Air Liquide.

— A look at the world 

📈 The figure: + 45%.

That’s the increase of hydrogen consumption in road transport in 2022 compared to 2021, according to the Hydrogen review 2023 report published by the International Energy Agency (IEA). 

🧐 What our experts think

Hydrogen mobility is on the rise and heavy-duty trucks are now an integral part of the movement. Europe and the United States have announced stringent emission regulations from 2030. All major truck manufacturers are working on hydrogen-powered prototypes or pre-series, acknowledging the benefits of fuel-cell vehicles (FCEV) versus battery electric (BEV): quick refueling time, preserved payload capacity and range. The advantages of hydrogen are also progressively recognized for other energy intensive means of transportation, such as aviation and maritime.

➡️ Read the Global Hydrogen Review 2023

— Keys highlights

🏃 Air Liquide, Official Supporter in hydrogen of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024

Because we share the same ambition as Paris 2024 to host a more sustainable event, Air Liquide and Paris 2024 - Comité d'organisation des Jeux Olympiques et Paralympiques de 2024 - have formed a partnership to supply hydrogen of renewable origin to fuel 500 Toyota Mirai vehicles, that will be part of the official fleet of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. 

*find the French translation at the end of this newsletter

➡️ Find out more about the meeting between François Jackow and Tony Estanguet. 

➡️Learn all about the partnership.

🛫 Airports prepare for hydrogen-powered aircraft      

During the 10th edition of the Paris Air Forum, Air Liquide and Groupe ADP announced the creation of Hydrogen Airport, the first engineering and consulting joint venture specialized in supporting airports in their projects to integrate hydrogen into their infrastructures. With the first hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft expected by 2035, one of the challenges is to prepare airports in parallel for the arrival of this new form of transportation. In the future, airports could become hydrogen hubs serving other forms of collective transport such as buses and taxis.

➡️ Find out more about this joint venture.

✈️ Liquid hydrogen for aircraft: initial tests show promise

What fuel will the planes of tomorrow use? One of the most promising solutions is liquid hydrogen. 

In September, H2FLY , the first plane powered by liquid hydrogen, took off from Maribor in Slovenia and flew for 3 hours, as part of the HEAVEN Project project! 

The aircraft is equipped with a fuel cell propulsion system powered by liquid hydrogen stored in a cryogenic tank designed, manufactured and integrated by Air Liquide.

🚛 Hydrogen for trucks: first stations opening up in Europe

In June, in Fos-sur-Mer, France, Air Liquide inaugurated the first high-pressure hydrogen station for long-haul trucks in Europe. Meanwhile, Iveco Group is expected to start delivering its hydrogen-powered trucks from late 2023. This inauguration marked a milestone in the commitment of both companies to the development of hydrogen mobility in Europe and the decarbonization of transportation. 

➡️Learn more about it.

🚚Liquid hydrogen: a new world truck record

1,047 km! That's the distance @Daimler Truck AG 's Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck covered in September on a single tank of liquid hydrogen. To achieve this world record, the truck was refueled with liquid hydrogen of renewable origin, supplied by Air Liquide.

⛴️ Air Liquide powers the world's first hydrogen-powered cargo ship

In May, H2 Barge 1, the world's first hydrogen-powered inland container vessel, was launched by Future Proof Shipping and Air Liquide to transport goods on the Meuse River between Belgium and the Netherlands. Air Liquide designed the hydrogen storage system, adapted for the vessel's retrofit, and supplies the required hydrogen for propulsion.

 ➡️ Find out more.

The Hydrogen Council celebrates Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day

On the occasion of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, the Hydrogen Council reported on the progress made and the challenges ahead for the development of hydrogen, with the interview of Benoît Potier .

— Debunking hydrogen myths

Is it possible to produce low carbon and renewable hydrogen? How does electrolysis concretely work? Many questions and misconceptions surround this molecule. Air Liquide separates fact from fiction regarding the development of hydrogen. 

➡️ Everything you've always wanted to know about hydrogen but didn’t ask.

➡️ Discover our experts’ insights:

• Jean-Claude JOYEUX : How is hydrogen produced today? What about tomorrow?
• Mathieu Cavélius : Is it possible to produce decarbonized hydrogen?
• Baptiste Fara : Are you familiar with electrolysis? Baptiste Fara explains the entire process.
• Anna Lenaerts : Where does decarbonized hydrogen fit in a complex energy context?

* Parce que nous partageons la même ambition que Paris 2024 pour organiser un événement plus durable, Air Liquide et Paris 2024 - Comité d'organisation des Jeux Olympiques et Paralympiques de 2024 ont noué un partenariat pour fournir de l'hydrogène d'origine renouvelable afin d'alimenter 500 véhicules Toyota Mirai, qui feront partie de la flotte officielle des Jeux Olympiques et Paralympiques de Paris 2024.