In line with its strategy of developing solutions for the energy transition, Techint E&C has joined forces with the Chilean Hydrogen Association (H2 Chile), an institution pioneering work in this area within Latin America.

 The energy transition is front and center of Techint E&C’s forward-looking agenda, and the reason why it has been investigating and analyzing opportunities, mostly in the field of developing hydrogen as an energy vector, and the decarbonization process in different market segments.

Along these lines, in March, the company joined the Chilean Hydrogen Association (H2 Chile), a collaborative network of public, private and academic entities with an interest in the use of hydrogen as an energy vector. H2 Chile is a platform that aims to teach, educate, promote and produce a profound change in the way society views hydrogen, in order to position Chile as a leading country in the production and use of “Green Hydrogen”.

According to Oscar Scarpari, General Director of the Andean Area, the energy transition – and in particular the search for renewable energies – which must be carried out as a joint effort between the private and public sectors. “The state must do the groundwork, laying out clear regulations, rules and policies to foster energy integration between different regions; while the private sector must accompany these efforts with R&D and the development of new and more efficient solutions.”

"We are analyzing different sustainable alternatives to give our company visibility so that we can start to position it as a provider of services that integrate different technologies," explains Rodrigo Larralde Campos, Commercial Manager of the Andean Area.

Martin Scalabrini Ortiz, Corporate Manager of Process Design, points out that "we have been conducting an analysis of the technologies available, some which are still in development, to obtain hydrogen by electrolysis using renewable energies, and identifying agreements with licensors of ammonia and other technologies so that we can achieve the best integration between all the parties."

What is hydrogen?

The most abundant element in the universe, hydrogen exists as a molecule made up of two hydrogen atoms. As it is not found in its pure state on our planet, it has to be produced from different processes, which is the reason why it is called an energy vector, capable of containing energy and releasing it when required. 

Hydrogen enhances the integration of variable renewable energies, as electrical energy can be transformed into hydrogen for later use, making it the ideal complement for renewables, together with batteries. In addition, it supports the decarbonization of sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as heavy cargo transport, the chemicals or steel industry, among others.

Hydrogen is being presented as the main element driving the energy transition, as it allows for the electrification and decarbonization of most economic sectors while supporting sectoral integration (Sector Coupling) required for a sustainable economy.