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.

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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.

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Photovoltaic prices have fallen continuously in recent years - a trend that should translate into a growing market for off-grid solutions. Declining costs are crucial for rural electrification in particular, making sustainable energy supply economically viable in remote regions. However, so far many of these price advantages have not yet reached the people that need them most. Do existing framework conditions to foster rural electrification still work in this new market reality? Which measures are needed to ensure that cost reductions reach our target group? This session discusses strategies for improving the availability of low-cost off-grid solutions, financing and innovative business models. A look at successful practical examples shows which political, economic and technological levers need to be pulled to make off-grid PV accessible on a large scale.

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