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In this area, you can access Brazil’s main public policies and regulatory actions regarding the implementation and political articulations for green hydrogen in the country.
Since the 2000s, Brazil develops initiatives related to hydrogen and its technologies.
One of the first movements took place in 2002, with the creation of the Brazilian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Systems Program (Procac), implemented by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT). In 2005, the Program was renamed (The Science, Technology and Innovation Program for the Hydrogen Economy – ProH2), with the central objective of encouraging actions capable of boosting the national development of hydrogen technology and fuel cell systems.
In 2003, the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE) initiative was created by the United States Department of Energy (DOE). The partnership encompasses several countries, including Brazil, and aims to develop and implement hydrogen technologies focused mainly on the commercial use of hydrogen and on fuel cells.
In 2003, CEPEL (Electric Energy Research Center, connected to Eletrobras) started the implementation of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Laboratory based on the project called “Development of New Technologies for Distributed Electric Energy Generation – Low Power Polymer Membrane Fuel Cells”, carried out for CHESF – Hydroelectric Company of São Francisco, within the scope of ANEEL projects. The Laboratory remains active in carrying out projects on the subject for Eletrobras companies.
In 2005, as a result of the IPHE initiative, the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) launched a Roadmap for Structuring the Hydrogen Economy in Brazil. The roadmap emphasized industrial use (steel industries, fertilizers, among others) and considered hydrogen generation from renewable energies, including biomass gasification, ethanol reform and water electrolysis by solar, wind and hydroelectric power.
Bearing in mind that, at the time, renewable technologies were not yet mature, the roadmap focused on indicating some trends and priority milestones for hydrogen production:
- First milestone 2015: production of commercial hydrogen, from the reform of natural gas;
- Second milestone 2020: hydrogen production, from water electrolysis;
- Third milestone 2025: hydrogen production, based on the reform of ethanol and the use of biomass;
- Fourth milestone 2030: hydrogen production, using alternative processes.
Since 2015, Brazil has been intensifying the development of studies and research on the theme of hydrogen. Currently, the country has several research groups and grassroots companies for the development of hydrogen technology.
With regard to research projects, a survey carried out by the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL), the National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANP) and the National Scientific and Technological Development Fund (FNDCT), between 2013 and 2018, identified 91 projects associated with hydrogen and fuel cells, totaling a financing of approximately R $ 34 million.
At the beginning of 2021, the National Council for Energy Policy (CNPE) proposed a resolution that aims to reinforce the alignment between the use of resources and the long-term strategy of the energy sector in Brazil, establishing guidelines on research, development and innovation in the sector. The resolution determines that the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) and the National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANP) seek to prioritize regulated investments in research and development on several topics, among them, hydrogen.
Also in 2021, the Energy Research Company (EPE), connected to the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), published a Technical Note: “Bases for the Consolidation of the Brazilian Hydrogen Strategy”. The document, which addresses conceptual and fundamental aspects for the construction of the Brazilian hydrogen strategy, is divided into these main sections: a) overview of the hydrogen market; b) technological routes and hydrogen generation processes; competitive costs and aspects of hydrogen; c) challenges for the development of the hydrogen energy market; d) the role of hydrogen in the energy transition; e) final considerations and public policy implications.
Technical, regulatory and technological content
Take a look at the main regulations, resolutions and other regulatory articulations for green hydrogen in Brazil and around the world!
- Brazil will seek more cooperation with BRICS partners involving hydrogen.
Learn more - CNPE promulgates resolution for H2 R&D projects.
Learn more - Resolution approved with guidelines on research and innovation in the Brazilian energy sector.
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