Since 1917, smoke has been rising from the metal works in Høyanger. Producing aluminum is extremely energy-intensive, and emissions have been on the same scale. One hundred years after the beginning, there are signs that aluminum production can embark on a greener path. On Friday, Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen (Ap) marked the start of a new pilot scheme where the factory replaces gas in the heating, and replaces it with green hydrogen. In his suitcase, he had NOK 83.3 million to help realize the plans. The money comes on top of other compensation schemes and NOK 285 million that Hydro itself invests. The pilot runs for three years and is the first of its kind in the world. – With this pilot, we are taking another step on the road to aluminum without CO2 emissions, says Hanne Simensen, executive director of Hydro Aluminum Metal. About the pilot and green hydrogen Green hydrogen is a key to making aluminum production CO2-free, but is not used anywhere in the aluminum industry today. It is technologically demanding to replace natural gas in aluminum smelting. Green hydrogen is one of several solutions to cut emissions in high-temperature processes where industry currently uses natural gas. The aluminum industry is responsible for 2 percent of CO2 emissions in the world. Recycling 100 percent used aluminum scrap with the help of emission-free fuels is the fastest way to achieve zero-emission aluminium. The Høyanger pilot is three years old and aims to develop the technology and expertise needed to replace natural gas with green hydrogen in aluminum recycling. The pilot will especially provide insight into technology for the use of new gas, metal quality and infrastructure for hydrogen projects in industry, and how one can use the hydrogen plant to be a flexible consumer of electricity. Hydro is testing a hydrogen project worth 450 million in Høyanger. If the trial is successful, the technology has global potential. Photo: news – This is a big day At the factory in Høyanger, Rune Vevle shows off the machine that is being rebuilt to run on the new type of fuel. – This is a big day and we will make the cleanest aluminum in the world, he says. news has previously written about European car manufacturers who have caught the eye of Norwegian, recycled aluminium. – This is a big day, says Rune Vevle in Høyanger. Photo: Ole Kristian Svalheim Climate Minister Eriksen marked the day with cake and introduced the pilot to a larger narrative about zero emissions and the green shift in the aluminum industry. Earlier this summer, the government warned that the official target of 34 TWh more power by 2030 was not within reach. – I don’t think we will be able to increase power production that much. We must be reality-oriented, said Energy Minister Terje Aasland from the floor of the Storting. Hydro and Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen celebrated the pilot with a cake on Friday morning. Photo: Kristian Skårdalsmo – Without the climate challenge, we wouldn’t need hydrogen. He was still responsible for the energy use that goes into producing green hydrogen. A conversion which, according to his former government colleague Ola Borten Moe, is just as sensible as “throwing power straight into the ass”. In a chronicle in Trønderdebatt, he compared the way of thinking behind the green shift with “the ten-year plans for Moscow in the period after the Russian revolution”. – He is wrong, confirmed Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap). He continues: – Without the climate challenge, we might not have to go down the road of exploring hydrogen. There are many questions that remain, but we have a climate challenge. – The government is reluctant. The Hurdal platform says that we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent in the period 1990-2030. The elephant in the room is quota-obliged mainland industry. Five individual points in Vestland (Mongstad, Årdal, Høyanger, Ullensvang, Elkem Bremanger) alone account for half of the emissions in the entire region. The Norwegian Environment Agency’s report “Climate measures in Norway towards 2030” from June this year says that it is possible to cut emissions in mainland industry by more than 55 per cent by 2030 compared to 1990 – but that it will be demanding. “In the Green Book for 2024, the government is vague about what they will do with emissions in the mainland industry,” writes Kristian Blindheim, Head of Department at Fornybar Norge. – Close to zero emissions of CO₂ will be a milestone for Hydro, and close to a global sensation in the industry, says Høyanger Mayor Petter Sortland. Photo: private – This is a good day for Høyanger – and for the world! On 7 June, new figures from Statistics Norway showed that overall greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 4.7 per cent in 2023. Emissions from the metallurgical industry were reduced by 10 per cent. “Don’t be fooled”, signed off Bellona, and meant to speak to the guild since activity in the industry has been at an “artificially” low level. Partly because of the pandemic, and partly because of high electricity prices. Geir Anders Rørbakken Ørslien Anne Marit Post-Melbye, subject manager at ZERO – It is gratifying that green hydrogen is replacing fossil gas, and an important step to reduce large emissions from industry. It shows that the combination of support from Enova and climate requirements in the CO2 compensation scheme can trigger important climate solutions, such as both hydrogen and, in the long term, also carbon capture and storage. This should inspire the government to further strengthen the point emission program in Enova. NHO Vestland / news Helene Frihammer, regional director | NHO Vestland – This is a very important and ground-breaking initiative that we warmly welcome. Hydro’s investment can cut large industrial discharges, secure jobs and further positions in strong international competition. If this venture is successful, we will create an even greener product that the world will need a lot in the future. This is an important day! Bård Siem Ove Trellevik, Høgre – This is exciting and in line with the development we see in the EU. As the power situation is in Europe, blue hydrogen produced from natural gas is significantly more affordable than green hydrogen. There is also easier access to natural gas than “renewable surplus power”, but this may change in line with power development. In any case, Norway should take a look at our hydrogen strategy when we are now steering towards a power deficit. Knut Neerland / Magent AS Bjørn K. Haugland, managing director of Skift – Climate leaders in the business world – Norway is Europe’s largest producer of primary aluminum and for the aluminum industry it will therefore be necessary to reduce emissions from production sharply in order to be able to produce in the future. Hydro is now taking a new and important step towards zero-carbon aluminium, this will strengthen the competitiveness of Norwegian business and build up under Norway’s climate targets. news Hanne Simensen, executive director of Hydro Aluminum Metal – Green hydrogen is potentially an exciting alternative for decarbonising not only aluminium, but also other emissions-intensive industries. An old proverb says that “When Hydro coughs, Høyanger harks”. Like an old married couple, the two have “melted together” and are linked in a life-long shared destiny. What is good news for Hydro is good news for the municipality, which last year was put under administration due to financial problems. Høyanger mayor Petter Sortland tells news that he is “proud and happy that Hydro chose Høyanger to test out green hydrogen”. – Close to zero emissions of CO₂ will be a milestone for Hydro, and close to a value sensation in the industry. This is a good day for Høyanger – and for the world! Norway’s emission sources 1990–2023 Select year 19901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142 01520162017201820192020202120222023 Million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents? Press for explanation of CO₂ equivalents Extraction of oil and gas11.5 Go to news’s Climate Status Published 28.06.2024, at 11.32
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Industribygda will make “the cleanest aluminum in the world” – news Vestland
