US engineering technology firm Emerson has become the latest firm joined the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance (ECHA), as part of its commitment to environmental sustainability.
ECHA was set up in March 2020 to explore the potential of clean hydrogen to decarbonise the EU economy. Hydrogen currently makes up less than 2% of the European energy mix, but the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre has found that it has the potential to make to 23% of the region’s energy mix by 2050. It aims to bring together manufacturers, automation technology suppliers, public authorities and other stakeholders to accelerate the transition to hydrogen-based energy.
Emerson, which has a portfolio of measurement, control and electrical equipment for hazardous areas, and experience in setting industry standards, says that by joining ECHA, it will be at the forefront of hydrogen developments in Europe and be able to actively support the EU’s goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company adds that it is committed to providing solutions for the entire hydrogen fuel supply chain, including production, distribution and utilisation, helped by its experience with industry enablers such as electrolyser original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
‘Emerson’s advanced automation technologies are backed by global support from industry experts who understand the specific expectations of the hydrogen sector relating to safety, reliability and cost. This industry-leading combination of innovative technologies and expertise will enable Emerson to contribute to the valuable work of the ECHA by helping organisations optimise the performance of their hydrogen projects, thereby supporting the push to achieve carbon neutrality,’ says Roel van Doren, group president global sales at Emerson.
In January 2021, Swiss inspection specialist firm Rosen Group also joined ECHA.
