Enagas Partners Repsol on Hydrogen

Repsol and Spanish gas grid operator Enagas said July 30 they are to co-operate in developing technology to produce renewable hydrogen, using solar energy as a primary source thus reducing emissions.

Enagas said this fitted its strategy to develop non-electrical renewable energy sources, such as hydrogen and biogas/biomethane, but did not say how it would fit with its role as a networks operator.

Repsol said it will be the first time that it has brought in a partner to enhance technology developed at its Technology Center in Mostoles, Spain.  It said it has three registered groups of patents, two of which have already been granted in Europe, as a result of the prior development work –  based on 52 scientific collaboration agreements with top research centers and universities, and ongoing research on hydrogen since 2014 with the Catalonia Institute for Energy Research (Irec). In the medium term, the refiner hopes to use the renewable hydrogen obtained through this new method in order to produce cleaner fuels and cut sulphur; it also hopes to use it in its chemicals processes, such as rubber hydrogenation.

Enagas CEO Marcelino Oreja (left) and Repsol CEO Josu Jon Imaz signed the accord (Photo credit: Enagas)