Brussels-based Clean Hydrogen Partnership has picked Valentia Island in County Kerry to receive support to explore clean energy solutions that will help Ireland on its path to net zero.
Clean Hydrogen Partnership will fund the H2orizon study, by consultants, to explore the role of hydrogen in decarbonising energy on Valentia Island, especially around maritime use.
Hydrogen consultants appointed by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership will explore various opportunities where the gas produced from renewable energy can complement the role of electrification in decarbonising Valentia Island, for example, offering green hydrogen infrastructure for tourism and marine mobility and powering industry such as the local distillery.
The study will also examine the potential for business and other modes of transport to use hydrogen.
Valentia Island and the surrounding area has been the subject of an energy masterplan and feasibility study into renewable and green technologies, supported by GenComm.
GenComm is a research project which addresses the energy sustainability challenges of European communities through the implementation of smart hydrogen-based energy.
In January 2020, the Valentia Energy Co-Operative was established with the aim of ensuring that the wider community works with stakeholders to find and develop clean energy solutions.
Chairman of Valentia Island Energy Group Colum O Connell said: “What we are looking to introduce is a fundamental shift in how we think about decarbonisation.
“Other governments around the world recognise the opportunities hydrogen can bring and are developing strategies to develop green hydrogen.
“The recently published Climate Action Plan 2023 included specific actions to enable the use of hydrogen across industry, enterprise and transport. However, we need more clarity at national level on what our strategy is.
“Valentia Island has been campaigning with our partners, Energy Co-Ops Ireland, to get more visibility for our green hydrogen vision.”
As one of the partners of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, ESB will work with the consultants in identifying and planning green energy opportunities.
Aodhan McAleer, Hydrogen Manager at ESB, said: “A key part of our Net Zero by 2040 strategy is the production and storage of zero carbon electricity and green hydrogen from our growing portfolio of wind and solar generation.
“As such, projects such as this in Valentia Island are critical to learning how our future energy system will work and benefit key industries such as marine transport as well as providing back-up generation.”
Valentia island is one of 15 regions selected to receive support from the Clean Hydrogen Partnership.
The scheme’s aim is to contribute to the EU Green Deal and hydrogen strategy.