Greece Energy Hydrogen Technology Market Updates
Greece’s ambitious energy plans include the development of “green” hydrogen to cover the needs of the transportation, shipping and aviation industries by dedicating 3GW of RES to produce “Green” hydrogen by 2030 and ultimately become a regional hub for importing green hydrogen from North Africa and the Middle East and exporting it to European countries. However, as the existing technology is not yet mature, the energy plan aims to produce 0.92TWh of “Green” hydrogen and have installed on a pilot basis at least 26 hydrogen stations by 2030. Per European Unions’ (EU) requirements, the government plans to form a institutional framework for the development of hydrogen by the end of 2024.
The Natural Gas Transmission System Operator of Greece (DESFA) is already planning the development of an exclusive hydrogen transport pipelines network, to connect the estimated main demand centers in Greece, enabling imports and exports of green hydrogen from and to neighboring countries. This basic hydrogen transport network has been integrated into the network of the European Hydrogen Backbone initiative of the European gas network operators.
The EU has committed significant funding to renewable hydrogen under the Clean Hydrogen Partnership. These projects offer potential partnering opportunities for U.S. energy firms and technology suppliers to assist with these projects:
Planned Hydrogen projects
• Hellenic Energy announced a hub in Thessaloniki that combines the development of a 600 MW solar park to be connected directly to the firm’s refineries and include energy storage systems with batteries produced from green hydrogen. Ammonia, a small hydrogen storage project will also be produced. The investment totals €1.5 to €2 billion euros. Another project to be developed at either at Aspropyrgos or Elefsina refineries will combine the capture of carbon dioxide, the production of blue hydrogen and synthetic fuels in combination with Renewable Energy Sources.
• 24/7 ZEN European project, budgeted at €5.5 million with an implementation schedule 2023-2026, concerns the design and development of a high performance reversible Solid Oxide Cell power balancing unit of scale 33 kW (Fuel Cell) /100 kW (electrolyzer) and its compatibility with electricity and natural gas networks. The pilot unit will take place at the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas’ (EKETA) facilities in Thessaloniki, aiming to produce and store green hydrogen and potentially injecting it into the natural gas network.
• CluBE, submitted a proposal which is at the stage of signing the cooperation agreement with the EU for the design, installation, and operation of the first multi-vehicle Hydrogen Refueling Station in Greece at the Kozani Industrial zone. The implementation steps include the production of green hydrogen from electrolysis via PPA at the same refueling site, its use at the refueling station and its innovative transport with carbon fiber cylinders.
• 100MW Green hydrogen production unit with potential for a boost to 200MW (production by electrolysis), at Amydeo, Florina state. The project is managed by Hellenic Hydrogen, a consortium between Motor Oil and PPC Renewables. The facility is planned to produce annual hydrogen amounts of 12,600 tons and is expected to be in operation by 2027.
• EU’s approval of the €780 million investment plan (Green HiPo) of the U.S. firm Advent Technologies in September 2022 aims to establish a hydrogen cell production plant, creating an estimated 650 jobs upon completion. Green HiPo, which is part of the Hy2Tech program, aims to facilitate the development of hydrogen technologies in Greece. Next steps will be to create the development facilities on Advent production lines in Kozani, western Macedonia to design and implement the fuel cell systems with a total produced electrical power of 400 MW and thermal power of 4.65 GW.
Under construction/implementation Hydrogen projects:
• The “Trieres” project is coordinated by Motor Oil and co-funded by EU’s program Horizon Europe and Clean Hydrogen Partnership. It includes 26 entities from Greece, Cyprus, Austria, the Netherlands and Egypt as part of a project to create a Small Hydrogen Valley located at Motor Oil’s Refinery in Ag. Theodoros, Corinthos. Hydrogen Valley is a geographical area where hydrogen serves more than one end sector or application in mobility, industry and energy. The green hydrogen production unit, part of the EPHYRA project - linked to the Trieres project and also coordinated by Motor Oil - will create a 30MW hydrogen production station from renewable sources and create opportunities for the implementation of pilot projects using hydrogen (i.e. city buses through collaboration with the Urban Road Transport S.A.) as well as preparation of hydrogen use studies for existing or future applications.
• H2Crete Valley project (https://h2v.eu/hydrogen-valleys/h2crete-valley-project ) will install a Green hydrogen production plant of 100 MW at Atherinolakos area, Crete Island - developed by ProEuropean Trading GmbH.
• Study on the utilization of sewage sludge for hydrogen production and its use by garbage/waste trucks as fuel. The project is implemented by DIADYMA and is at the stage of completion of the studies. The pilot project will be installed in the former Kardias Lignite Mine of Kozani, in the central premises of DIADYMA and its study is financed by the Green Fund.
• H2-Hub project, managed by the National Center for Research and Technological Development near Ptolemaida is expected to be operational by 2026. It includes the creation of a technology park for the production, storage, and utilization of hydrogen, a “hydrogen farm” (hydrogen fueling station) and a medium voltage substation. The 1MW PV park which will operate within the hydrogen park will power two electrolytes of a total capacity 900kW to produce at least 100 kg green hydrogen/day, HT PEM fuel cells of up to 200kWe power as well as thermal and electric power to cover its energy needs.
Competition
The French HDF Energy plans to establish a subsidiary in Greece or to operate locally. The Norwegian Hoegh LNG Holdings Ltd., a provider of floating liquefied natural gas storage and regasification units, is working on a project that envisages the construction of a hybrid ship that will be able to carry both LNG and hydrogen to floating LNG terminals (FSRUs) such as Revithoussa and Alexandroupolis. The ship is planned to be in operation by 2028.
Opportunities for U.S. firms
As hydrogen technology is currently developing in Greece, knowledgeable U.S. firms may partner with Greek conglomerates, consult or supply needed equipment to the market.
For more information, please contact Energy Industry Specialist Teresa Gile at Teresa.Gile@trade.gov.