The term Power-to-X (PtX) covers a number of technologies, which produce hydrogen by use of electricity. The term Power-to-X is mainly used in Denmark, while green hydrogen or electro fuels (‘e-fuels’) are more common terms abroad. Both terms describe the process of converting electricity and water into hydrogen through electrolysis. The hydrogen can subsequently be used directly as fuel for road transport or industrial purposes, or it can be further converted into other fuels, chemicals and materials.
Hydrogen can be converted into ammonia by use of nitrogen from the atmosphere, or into methanol or jet fuel by use of CO2. This CO2 can be provided from biogas plants or be collected from cogeneration plants, incinerators or the industry. It can then be used for PtX (Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU)), or be deposited underground (Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)).
The Danish Energy Agency has assessed that PtX is an essential part of achieving the Government’s 70% reduction goal by 2030, and in particular in relation to the climate neutrality goal for 2050. PtX fuels can be used to promote the green transition of the transport sector, especially within aviation, shipping, heavy transport, agriculture, the industry etc.
In Denmark, several companies are ready with technology and expertise across the entire PtX value chain. Furthermore, Denmark has large resources within renewable energy. Green hydrogen and PtX are of increasing interest throughout Europe, and large markets are expected to emerge towards 2030 and 2050. Denmark therefore has large business and export potentials within PtX.