A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by ESB and dCarbonX for the evaluation of green hydrogen in Ireland.

The partnership will see a joint assessment and development of Irish offshore green hydrogen subsurface storage and represents the future transition to a low-carbon Ireland.

Decarbonisation

Padraig O’Hiceadha, ESB Strategy Manager, Generation, and Trading, said:?“ESB recognises that hydrogen produced from renewable electricity will play a significant role in the decarbonisation of many sectors.’

Under the agreement, both ESB and dCarbonX will work on licensing, environmental studies, site selection, project sanctioning, offshore infrastructure, and commissioning operations.

‘We plan to use our existing capabilities and future renewable growth to become a leading player in large scale renewable hydrogen production’ said O’Hiceadha

‘enabling renewable electricity, in the form of electrons or green molecules, to meet the energy requirements of Ireland’s future zero-carbon economy.’

Green Hydrogen Valley

The Memorandum of Understanding initiative will support the creation of the proposed new project, ‘Green Hydrogen Valley’.

The green project is to hopefully center around the Dublin Poolbeg peninsula, producing and storing green hydrogen, which will enable the decarbonisation of heavy transport, shipping, and power generation.

Tony O’Reilly, CEO of dCarbonX, said:?“The large-scale underground storage of green hydrogen is the critical element to Ireland fully exploiting its significant indigenous wind energy resources both for domestic consumption and overseas export.’

The transition to clear energy also requires a balance of solutions for the production of green hydrogen.

When wind farms produce an excess amount of electricity, the unused renewable excess can be converted into green hydrogen without the risk of greenhouse gas emissions and stored.

The storage of green hydrogen in the subsurface is safe and cost-effective and allows large-scale deployment of renewable energy while improving national security of supply and reducing energy losses.

‘Our partnership with ESB leverages on our core subsurface capabilities, offshore operating expertise and project management skills to deliver the required subsurface energy storage solutions.’ Ended O’Reilly.

ESB and dCarbonX

Electric Supply Board (ESB) operates through the Irish electricity market by the transmission and supply of gas, and energy services to Irish customers, as well as using its network to carry fiber for telecommunications.

dCarbonX is a GeoEnergy company based in London and Dublin, formed to develop subsurface hydrogen storage, carbon sequestration & geothermal baseload assets to enable, encourage and facilitate the Energy Transition.