Definition
Hydrogen is the simplest and lightest element. As an energy carrier it is emission-free at point of use - the only by-product is water. Hydrogen is produced in three main categories: green (electrolysis powered by renewable electricity), blue (from natural gas with carbon capture and storage) and grey (from natural gas without CCS - currently dominant in global production). Only green hydrogen delivers a genuine climate benefit over its full life cycle. Norway has a particularly strong starting position for green hydrogen: surplus of dispatchable hydropowerElectricity produced from the potential energy of falling water - Norway's dominant energy source (~90% of production) with a unique ability to ramp up and down quickly., existing gas export infrastructure, and a process industry with high emissions that can be decarbonised. Å Energi is a concrete example: at Pikerfoss power station in Kongsberg they are establishing a pilot plant co-located with the hydropower facility. The plant will produce approximately 300 tonnes of green hydrogen per year - sufficient to replace diesel for heavy transport equivalent to around 3 million emission-free truck kilometres. Co-location with a power station saves grid infrastructure and gives access to cheap electricity when production exceeds demand. FlexibilityAbility to change power consumption or production in response to price signals or system operator needs. is a key advantage: hydropower can be ramped up and down quickly, and the electrolysis plant can reduce output when electricity prices are high and increase it when there is surplus grid capacity. EU legislation (RED IIIEU renewable energy directive (third revision) with a target of 42.5% renewable energy by 2030. and its delegated regulation) imposes strict requirements on what qualifies as 'green hydrogen' for export to the EU market, including additionality rules and temporal correlation between renewable electricity and hydrogen production.