Are Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHC) a pathway for transporting green hydrogen to Europe? Project developer Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies GmbH and GIZ have launched the LOHCBridge project under the International Hydrogen Ramp-up Programme (H2Uppp) to find out. The aim of the project is to classify and evaluate the role of LOHC technology as an option for storing and transporting green hydrogen from regional hubs in Egypt and Morocco via existing fuel transport routes to European ports, also in comparison to other transport solutions, like green Ammonia.
Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers
LOHCs are organic liquids that can store hydrogen safely and efficiently by chemically binding it. Hydrogen can be bound to the carrier, transported or stored like a conventional liquid fuel, and later released when needed. This makes LOHCs a practical solution for long-distance hydrogen transport and storage without the need for high pressures or extremely low temperatures like it is the case for other carrier types or hydrogen itself.
Green hydrogen and derivative production based on abundant renewable energy resources in both countries is highly relevant to the climate and economic goals of Egypt and Morocco, offering a way to decarbonise key sectors and industries, drive renewable energy growth based on their high solar and wind potentials and position both countries as green energy hubs between Africa, Europa and the Middle East. Egypt for instance, is striving to deliver eight per cent of the global tradable hydrogen market until 2040. This is why both countries are strongly promoting hydrogen projects in their respective countries.
Egypt: Striving to deliver 8% of tradable hydrogen by 2040
However, to realise this generation potential, the countries will need to develop a comprehensive infrastructure for the production, storage and transport of green hydrogen, based on an assessment of multiple technologies and solutions like pipelines, refueling stations and storage facilities. This will be addressed in the LOHCBridge project by a pre-feasibility study on LOHC hydrogen transport infrastructure in Egypt and Morocco compared to other transport options, and by identifying essential product or project design elements.
However, to realise this generation potential, the countries will need to develop a comprehensive infrastructure for the production, storage and transport of green hydrogen, based on an assessment of multiple technologies and solutions like pipelines, refueling stations and storage facilities. This will be addressed in the LOHCBridge project by a pre-feasibility study on LOHC hydrogen transport infrastructure in Egypt and Morocco compared to other transport options, and by identifying essential product or project design elements.
Key local stakeholders, such as the operators of the Suez Canal Economic Zone in Egypt and IRESEN (L’Institut de Recherche en Énergie Solaire et Énergies Nouvelles) in Morocco will be involved in the analysis phase and in workshops for sharing and assessing study results. H2Uppp in Egypt and Morocco will support Hydrogenious as needed with networking and results presentations in the Egyptian and Moroccan markets.
