Green Hydrogen as a Feedstock for Local Fertilizer Production?

The smarter E Podcast Episode 143 | July 27, 2023 | Language: English

The energy transition in Brazil has been playing a significant role again at least since the change of government a few months ago. For green hydrogen, the region in Brazil is very interesting as a raw material supplier for Europe. However, there are also exciting local applications - Brazil is the world's largest importer of fertilizers and its most important supplier is Russia. Green hydrogen could be used as a feedstock for local fertilizer production, reducing dependence on imports.

Energy storage systems are also becoming increasingly important. The development of these in South America is still in its infancy. What are the short- and medium-term developments in Brazil? Markus Vlasits, CEO of NewCharge, tells us in this episode.

Timeline:

  • 02:57 Are there any additional business opportunities beyond being a raw material supplier for European costumers?
  • 04:02 Brazil is the world's largest importer of fertilizers. Are there any concrete plans to use green hydrogen as a feedstock for local fertilizer production?
  • 06:21 Energy storage is still in the early stages of development in South America. Where are recent light house projects?
  • 10:25 What role does energy storage play in the off-grid sector?
  • 15:18 Where are business opportunities for new market entrants?

The smarter E podcast is all about the current trends and developments in a renewable, decentralized and digital energy industry. Our moderators Tobias Bücklein and Zackes Brustik welcome and interview personalities who shape our industry and drive developments forward. A new episode is published every Thursday.

Click on the logo to listen to the podcast on the platform of your choice.

As Managing Director of NewCharge Energy, Markus has a long history in the photovoltaic sector - he was vice president of Q-Cells in Germany, executive director of Yingli Green Energy of Brazil and co-founder and commercial director of Faro Energy, an investment company focused on photovoltaic projects for commercial clients and industrial. He is Austrian and has lived in Brazil since 2012.

NewCharge Energy develops solutions for power generation and storage and provides solutions for customers in the agricultural, industrial and commercial sectors throughout Brazil. The work ranges from assessing the economic and technical feasibility, selecting suppliers, financial structuring, installation, operation and maintenance of energy storage systems.

Europe’s Largest & Most International Exhibition for Batteries & Energy Storage Systems
Learn more
Further Content
Thaddäus Kreisig
Stack ’Em Up: Germany’s Big Battery Inflection Point – with Thaddäus Kreisig

The smarter E Podcast Episode 265 | Language: English

September 16, 2026

Discover how Germany's solar surge is driving a gigawatt-scale battery boom, the revenue models making projects viable, and the hurdles ahead.

Gaëtan Masson and Delfina Muñoz
The Challenge in Turning Europe’s PV Research into an Industrial Reality

The smarter E Podcast Episode 266 | Language: English

October 1, 2026

Europe leads in solar research but lags in manufacturing. Jonathan Gifford explores industrial policy and tandem tech with experts.

The smarter E South America Conferences 2026
Supply Chains and Industrial Development: Brazil's Place in the Global Energy Storage Value Chain

Thursday, August 27, 2026, 02:00 pm

The smarter E South America Conferences 2026 | Conference Program

premium account

The expansion of energy storage creates significant opportunities for industrial development, innovation, and Brazil's integration into global value chains. This session will discuss the country's role in the energy storage supply chain, including strategic minerals, components, assembly, manufacturing, industrial policies, and incentive mechanisms. The panel will address how Brazil can combine competitiveness, supply security, technological development, and investment attractiveness to build an industrial base connected to the growth of the BESS market.

The smarter E South America Conferences 2026
Safety, Reliability, and Longevity: The Future of Storage-System Operation

Thursday, August 27, 2026, 04:00 pm

The smarter E South America Conferences 2026 | Conference Program

premium account

The safe and reliable operation of energy storage systems is essential for the sustainable expansion of the market. This session will discuss engineering best practices, technical standards, project safety, risk management, operational performance, and battery system lifespan. The panel will address the requirements for ensuring reliability, quality, failure prevention, and the safe integration of BESS across different applications, offering a technical perspective on the standards that should guide the future of storage-system operation in Brazil.

Intersolar Middle East Conference 2026
Cybersecurity in the Digital Energy Transition: Building Resilient Energy Systems

Wednesday, September 02, 2026, 01:15 pm

Intersolar Middle East Conference 2026 | Conference Program

premium account

Discover how advanced digital technologies are transforming solar operations. This session explores AI-driven analytics, IoT-enabled monitoring, and blockchain-based transparency to optimize performance, streamline maintenance, and enhance profitability. Learn how smart grids and data intelligence are shaping the next generation of efficient, resilient solar energy systems.

You are using an outdated browser

The website cannot be viewed in this browser. Please open the website in an up-to-date browser such as Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.