Hydrogen – a priority area for energy collaboration with the United States
The Swedish Energy Agency has started a new initiative with focus on renewable hydrogen in the US. The new initiative partners with Business Sweden and the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center.
The United States (U.S.) is an important research and innovation partner for Sweden and our largest export market outside of the EU. With the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and local climate laws, opportunities to develop a greener and more efficient energy system have arisen.
This means an increased interest in skills and technology transfer in areas such as hydrogen - something that creates new and exciting opportunities for Swedish companies and can help build transatlantic value chains.
By engaging a leading research institution in the U.S. policy ecosystem, the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center, Swedish companies can better understand and follow the development of the US hydrogen market. Furthermore, by strengthening US-Swedish cooperation, there are good prospects for decarbonization with renewable hydrogen.
—The United States and Sweden share important common values and interests. Both sides are committed to using renewable hydrogen to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors. It is an exciting and important time in the development of hydrogen, and I am delighted to help strengthen US-Sweden ties and transatlantic cooperation in this vital decarbonization collaboration, says Joseph Webster, Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council Global Energy Center.
Competence enhancement initiatives
Hydrogen is an energy carrier that is becoming increasingly important for a sustainable energy system, but solutions based on renewable hydrogen are not yet commercially competitive. In addition, the global market for renewable hydrogen is in a nascent stage, and standards are still being formulated.
Therefore, the Swedish Energy Agency initiative intends to create opportunities to position Swedish technical solutions for hydrogen systems at an early stage and to secure the supply of expertise.
– Renewable hydrogen offers new opportunities to connect sectors that in turn create challenges and opportunities for the development of our entire energy system. The rapid emergence of new industries and the transition of existing industries towards renewables requires a concerted effort both nationally and internationally, says Jazaer Dawody, hydrogen expert, Swedish Energy Agency.
Delegation to visit Texas and California
Photo: Vichaya Kiatying-Angsulee/Mostphotos
Texas and California have established hydrogen hubs and were recently announced as recipients of large federal investments as part of the USD 7 billion set aside for renewable hydrogen under the IRA. The states are leaders in hydrogen with innovative projects together with private actors and leading research institutes.
Between March 18-22, a Swedish delegation will travel to Texas and California. The delegation consists of the Swedish companies:
- Alfa Laval
- Atlas Copco Mafi-Trench Company
- Catator
- Cell Impact
- H2 Green Steel
- Insplorion
- Powercell
- Preem
- Qarlbo Energy
The Swedish Export Credit Corporation is also participating in the delegation as an expert on financing issues. The focus is on research and innovation and commercialization. The participants will meet representatives from the hydrogen hubs HyVelocity (Texas) and ARCHES (California). The delegation will also meet with representatives from leading U.S. companies and policy makers. A reciprocal U.S. visit to Sweden is also expected in mid-June to showcase the Swedish value chain and promote knowledge and technical exchanges.
—There are many opportunities in the U.S. green hydrogen ecosystem. We are delighted to continue working to position Sweden and Swedish companies as leaders and enablers of the green transition. Swedish companies from across the hydrogen value chain have much to offer, and facilitating knowledge exchange and discussions is an important step in enabling collaboration and innovation, for both public and private stakeholders in Sweden and the US, says Mats Shore, Senior Project Manager, Business Sweden.
