Towards the end of the Saudi Arabian desert on the Red Sea, the construction of a modern type of city of the future, Neom, powered with green hydrogen, is about to begin. The city will be built at a cost of $500 billion, facilitated with flying taxis and supported by robots (automated machines) for household chores. The city will have the capacity to accommodate a population of one million.
Instead of oil or petrol, Saudi Arabia plans to use green hydrogen to support the energy needs of the city.
Saudi Arabia steers the work of the @g20org towards Realizing Opportunities of the 21st Century for All. From unlocking access to fresh water to creating economic growth, partnerships at #NEOM are built to exceed boundaries.https://t.co/eGCnlVAHxY#G20#DiscoverNEOM pic.twitter.com/t3UP1AB03n
— NEOM (@NEOM) November 22, 2020
The renewable electricity will be obtained, from the fuel produced by the emission of carbon gases, by separating oxygen from hydrogen molecules through the water.
This summer, Air Products and Chemicals, a major US gas company, announced that it had been building a green hydrogen plant in Saudi Arabia for the past four years as part of the Neom City project. ۔
The plant runs on four gigawatts of energy from solar and hydroelectric sources.
Many solar and hydroelectric plants for renewable energy are spread over a large area of this desert. It is claimed that this is currently the largest green hydrogen project in the world. And similar plans are under consideration in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is currently not the only country active in promoting this renewable energy source as an alternative to conventional fuels.
Many companies, investors, governments and environmentalists believe that this new technology will not only eliminate the use of biofuels in the world, but it will also control the rising global temperature.
Experts say hydropower and solar power can power plants and electric cars, but green hydrogen is an excellent source for industries such as steel mills, cement industry, and the transport sector, which are completely dependent on electricity and energy.
Clean energy in Europe
Europe, which relies heavily on Russia’s high-priced natural gas, is investing in electrolysis plants and other hydrogen-intensive infrastructure to develop green hydrogen. Germany has the largest allocation for the Green Hydrogen Development Fund.
Europe has recently drafted a policy to expand green hydrogen projects. Though Europe has not officially announced its adoption, but has an environmentally friendly policy that is expected to invest 470 billion euros in fuel development. ۔
The European Union is also allocating funds for the development, storage and transportation of green hydrogen electrolysis.
The European Union (EU) says widespread and rapid use of clean hydrogen is key to a clean environment.
Read more: Green Industrial Revolution: Britain to eliminate petroleum cars by 2030
Clean energy in the Middle East
The Middle East, the world’s largest natural source of wind for solar and hydroelectricity, is preparing to become a major player in the field of green hydrogen.
Especially, Saudi Arabia, especially, has incredibly cheap renewable fuel resources. Sunlight can be utilized during daytime and wind can be relied upon at night.
This development, from Japan to Europe and the United States, is considered as nature and human-friendly move.