NORCE is awarded a hydrogen center that will contribute to faster decarbonization

All sectors must contribute to achieving the goals of emission reduction in 2030 and climate neutrality in 2050. Hydrogen-based solutions for the energy sector can play a key role, but several grand challenges remain.

- Congratulations to the research communities in NORCE and all our partners on the award. A holistic approach is needed to address the remaining challenges in the hydrogen energy sector. We are now looking forward to starting this work, together with research partners and industry, says Kristin Wallevik, CEO of NORCE.

In HyValue, NORCE and partners will address the challenges, among other things, through the development of new production methods, increased knowledge of risk assessment, and new methodologies for analyzing societal acceptance.

- We need an emission-free energy carrier. Hydrogen-based energy carriers, such as hydrogen and ammonia, will be central when the Norwegian industry shall reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, says Fionn Iversen, centre manager of HyValue and researcher at NORCE.

HyValue has a broad approach that includes technical solutions, financial incentives, regulations, social and environmental impact, and risk.

- Cooperation with the industry is essential. Through research and development of new methods, we will help lay the foundation for a hydrogen energy sector. This might, for example, be more efficient methods for the hydrogen and ammonia production, says Iversen.

The center will, among other things, develop marine technology related to hydrogen, such as how to transport hydrogen and how to operate hydrogen ferries safely.

• explore methods for production of hydrogen and ammonia that significantly reduce energy loss and costs.
• utilize and develop solutions for transport, storage, and filling/bunkering of hydrogen-based fuel.
• analyze maritime value chains and study regulations and financial incentives to avoid barriers and promote business models for hydrogen and ammonia.
• develop a new framework for assessing the body of knowledge used in risk assessments for hydrogen and ammonia systems.
• put technology development and business models in a context that is acceptable by the society and document the total greenhouse gas emissions for hydrogen and ammonia value chains.
• study how the hydrogen sector can mature as a socio-technical system, and develop a methodology for systematically increasing societal acceptance.

- The government has big ambitions for Norway to take the lead in technology development for hydrogen and hydrogen-based energy carriers. We believe this can lay the foundation for building a new industry, cutting emissions, and creating new jobs in Norway, says Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Terje Aasland, in a video greeting to NORCE.

- To turn our ambitions into results, I have great faith in the work you will do in the new research center. We need all good forces to play together, the research communities, the authorities, and industry included. Congratulations! says Aasland.

The expected total budget for the new hydrogen center HyValue will be close to 300 MNOK, when combining contributions from both NFR and partners:

• Funding from the Norwegian Research Council and industry: in excess of NOK 200 million
• In-kind contributions from research partners: between 50 and 100MNOK