From PoliticoEU, September 9/16:
Paris wants homemade hydrogen to power its clean transformation.
France has a green vision for its nuclear fleet: Use the electricity it generates to make emissions-free hydrogen.....MUCH MORE
That would give France a big edge in the growing race to develop "green" hydrogen, seen as key in decarbonizing industries such as heavy transport and steel.
Finance and Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire on Tuesday unveiled plans to invest €7 billion by 2030 in hydrogen fully made in France — pooh-poohing other countries’ plans to import foreign hydrogen.
“We are helping so there will be jobs. We are helping so there will be factories. We are helping so there will be industrial relocalization," he told an assembly of hydrogen executives. “We are helping at the level of €7 billion to be the best — not second or third. The best.”
“Together with Germany,” Le Maire added after a pause.
The new French plan one-ups that goal by aiming for 6.5 GW of electrolyzer capacity by 2030.In June Germany adopted a €9 billion hydrogen plan, with Energy and Economy Minister Peter Altmaier at the time saying, "We want to be No. 1." The plan set a goal of building 5 gigawatts of electrolyzer capacity by 2030.
But making hydrogen with electrolyzers — by jolting apart water molecules — is only as low-carbon as the electricity used to power the machine. Recognizing that it doesn't have enough domestic renewable electricity to power all that production, Germany announced partnerships to produce hydrogen in sunny African nations like Morocco.
The new French plan one-ups that goal by aiming for 6.5 GW of electrolyzer capacity by 2030.
Le Maire has made it a point this summer to hammer home that France's low-carbon electricity mix, three-quarters of which is generated by nuclear power, means it doesn't have to wait for new wind and solar to come online to start using electrolyzers at home....
Previously:
"French Hydrogen Lobby Seeks $12 Billion in Aid to Boost Use"
FrenchTech: "Hyundai opts for Faurecia systems for fuel cell trucks"
And in particular Faurecia's joint venture with Michelin called Symbio:
Hydrogen: Michelin—Faurecia Joint Venture To Establish Europe's Largest Fuel Cell Plant in Lyon
Meanwhile in France: "Hydrogène: Symbio choisit la métropole de Lyon pour implanter son usine de production"
