The future production and international trade of green hydrogen and its derivatives is an important subject for Egypt. On the one hand, the high demand for hydrogen in the Egyptian fertiliser, steel, and petrochemical industries could be met by green hydrogen. On the other hand, Egypt is a promising export country for green hydrogen due to its high potential for photovoltaics and wind energy and the various international hydrogen projects.
In the project “Cluster analysis for green hydrogen in Egypt”, the EWI, the University of Cologne, the British University of Egypt, and the American University of Cairo analysed the opportunities and challenges for the green hydrogen market ramp-up in Egypt. The joint research was carried out within the framework of the BaSEF exchange project of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
In the BaSEF project, students and young researchers exchange ideas on topics in the energy world and develop conceptual solutions for a climate-neutral energy system. The academic dialogue promotes German-Egyptian cooperation in energy research. In addition, the network of young researchers between the University of Cologne, the British University of Egypt, and the American University of Cairo is being intensified.
The aim of the joint cluster analysis is to conduct joint research on the hydrogen market ramp-up and to develop an academic basis for future research in Egypt’s energy sector. To determine the production and export potential of low-carbon hydrogen in Egypt, the market ramp-up of hydrogen along the entire value chain is considered.
The results of the project show that Egypt has made progress in the expansion of photovoltaics. As green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis and electricity from renewable sources, the expansion of renewable energy contributes to the decarbonisation of the domestic industrial sectors.