August 31, 2022
Everything’s bigger in Texas
Innovation will be key to accelerating the clean energy transition and reaching a net zero economy. Edison Energy is following the latest innovations in decarbonization across technologies, projects, and programs, from conception through completion.
The innovation
Hydrogen City, the world’s largest green hydrogen production hub
The big picture
The integrated green hydrogen production, storage, and transport hub will produce green ammonia, sustainable aviation fuel, and other products.
The players
Green Hydrogen International (GHI), founded by geologist and green energy pioneer Brian Maxwell.
How it works
Hydrogen City, Texas, will be an integrated green hydrogen production, storage, and transport hub, growing to 60 GW in size and producing over 2.5 billion kilograms of green hydrogen per year.
The project is centered around a hydrogen storage facility in the Piedras Pintas salt dome located in Duval County. Pipelines will deliver the green hydrogen to Corpus Christi, where it will be turned into green ammonia, sustainable aviation fuel and other products, or delivered by pipeline directly to hydrogen power plants and other users around the state.
Photo Credit: Green Hydrogen International
The project will be powered by 60 GW of behind-the-meter solar and wind power with additional renewable energy drawn from the ERCOT grid during periods of low prices.
The project will be built in phases, with the first phase expected to launch operations in 2026.
Why it matters
According to GHI, access to salt storage is critical to the scaling up of green hydrogen production, as it allows for maximum utilization of electrolyzers and serves as a buffer between variable wind and solar production and final delivery of green hydrogen to customers.
Eventually, over 50 caverns can be created at the Piedras Pintas salt dome, providing up to 6 TWh of energy storage and turning the dome into a major green hydrogen storage hub, similar to the role Henry Hub plays in the natural gas market.
Next steps
End-use options for GHI-produced green hydrogen are currently in negotiations, including green ammonia for the export and fertilizer markets, sustainable aviation and rocket fuels, and green hydrogen utilization in fuel switching power plants as a natural gas substitute.
Stay tuned for the next installment of the Energy Edge Innovation Series!
