Portugal

Estratégia Nacional para o Hidrogénio (EN-H2)

The national hydrogen strategy of Portugal is framed in the context of reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and reduction of energy import dependence, where green hydrogen complements direct electrification to decarbonise transport, industry and energy production through locally available renewable energy resources.

PRODUCTION

The strategy is aimed at stimulating green hydrogen production to take advantage of the renewable energy potential of the country and to avoid curtailment. To stimulate this production, legislative changes are planned to allow the licencing of hydrogen production plants, the promotion of hydrogen production in waste-water treatment plants and to develop of a support mechanism for sale of green hydrogen.

TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION

Since the national natural gas network has been developed since the 1990’s, its repurposing and adaptation for hydrogen is seen as technically and economically easier, therefore hydrogen is a way to increase the value of existing pipelines and reduce their amortisation. Consequently, a legal framework for hydrogen blending will be developed.

TRADE

In subsequent stages of development of the sector, the renewable energy resources available can allow Portugal to become an exporter of green energy products through the Sines port or through pipelines connecting the Iberian Peninsula with the rest of Europe.

MANUFACTURING

Considering the support for deployment in the sector, the strategy considers taking advantage of demand to stimulate local manufacturing of hydrogen components, as well as developing repair and maintenance capabilities for ships and maritime hydrogen applications.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Research and development will be focused on green hydrogen production, storage, distribution, refuelling stations, blending, fuel cells, structural materials, synergies with other gases and development of measuring devices, as well as synthetic fuels.

CROSS-CUTTING

Cross-cutting measures focus on international cooperation multilateral and bilateral cooperation, development of guarantees of origin for hydrogen and the promotion of sector-coupling.

END-USES

Mobility

The mobility sector is considered a significant one to decarbonise via hydrogen, with focus on buses, heavy-duty vehicles, captive fleets, trains and maritime transport. The strategy foresees changes in the legislation to allow for hydrogen use in transport, support for refuelling stations deployment, acquisition of state FCEV vehicles and research FCEV trains, as well as production of synthetic fuels, with accompanying standards for them.

Industry

Industrial segments with significant potential for decarbonisation through hydrogen considered are cement, glass, ceramics, refining and chemicals. Promotion of hydrogen production near consumption, replacement of grey with green hydrogen and development of quality and safety standards for hydrogen equipment are priorities in industry. Additionally, support for hydrogen pilot projects in indsutry will be developed.

Energy and Heating

Considering the possibility that Power-to-Gas technologies can have for sector-coupling, the strategy foresees such installations to act in electricity balancing services, hydrogen to be used in heating and electricity generation and also the promotion of decarbonisation of gas power plants, by establishing minimum limits for hydrogen consumption.