Implementing P2X technology and products will allow for the integration of renewable energy into other energy-consuming sectors. In areas such as transportation, manufacturing, chemicals, and agriculture, Power-to-X can play a key role in accelerating the energy transition by shifting the demand and dependency away from fossil fuels.

"According estimates, Power-to-X technologies may provide 28% of global energy demand by 2050 and have the potential to cut 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions."

What is Power-to-X?

The process of turning renewable electrical power into something else, the X, is known as Power-to-X (P2X). As energy is only generated when it is needed, increasing solar and wind power will result in us generating more electricity than we use. This scenario will raise the need for energy storage, allowing Power-to-X to convert the excess energy into something else, such as gas, synthetic fuel, or ammonia, and assist in the decoupling of energy generation from consumption.

Hydrogen - is the core of Power-to-X

The need to transition away from fossils is high on the agenda across industries. At AFRY, we believe that leveraging Power-to-X technology to produce hydrogen and synthetic fuels from renewable energy will be essential in meeting climate targets and a way to decarbonising the industrial, transportation, heat, and power sectors. Hydrogen can replace fossil fuels and fossil energy sources in a range of applications and be used in a variety of ways as a raw material, fuel, or energy storage medium.

"For clients looking to invest in P2X, AFRY provides extensive cross-sectoral expertise to support investment planning, development, and implementation across the Power-to-X and hydrogen value chains - from energy sources to electrolysis process technologies to the use of hydrogen in diverse X-applications such as ammonia, methanol, and e-fuels."

Geopolitics are accelerating the hydrogen deployment. The European ambitions for renewable hydrogen are rising in order to move way from Russian fossil fuel imports and to accelerate the EU’s energy transition and decarbonising the EU’s energy system.

In a Staff Working Document accompanying the REPowerEU plan, published in May 2022, the Commission outlines a ‘hydrogen accelerator’ concept to scale up the deployment of renewable hydrogen. The REPowerEU plan’s ambition is to produce 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen in the EU by 2030 – increased from the 5.6 million tonnes foreseen within the revised Renewable Energy Directive, published in July 2021 –, and to import 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen from third countries.

Having an independent approach to technologies and suppliers

AFRY provides fundamental energy market and regulatory insight, as well as extensive process technology, engineering, and project execution expertise. Our independence from technology providers enables a neutral approach to identifying the best available technological alternatives for each client's unique needs.

With our deep cross-industry expertise, we provide a one-stop-shop for all aspects of a client's energy transition journey. Our portfolio for Power-to-X and hydrogen encompasses all phases of the investment lifecycle, from strategy and analytical assistance, project initiation and concept development services, to complete project implementation support comprising feasibility studies, conceptual design, and engineering services.

Understanding complex industrial operations

With decades of experience of designing and implementing complex industrial processes and production plants, we have the capability to integrate Power-to-X technology into the clients existing infrastructure or design stand-alone greenfield units. We support our clients from the early conceptual phase, bringing in a wide scope of in-house expertise in energy markets, energy and process technology, the chemical industry, infrastructure design, as well as hydrogen end-use in automotive and mobility applications.

"AFRY has more than 100 specialist in the field of Power-to-X and hydrogen. We are currently involved in several Power-to-x projects for energy carrier chemicals both in the Nordics and in Europe, as strategic advisors, technical experts and engineers, and are one of the leading companies in this field."

With 19,000 devoted experts in infrastructure, industry, energy, and digitalisation, AFRY is a European leader in engineering, design, and advisory services.

Our competencies and offering for the Power-to-X and hydrogen value chain comprises:

Advisory services

• Strategic advice including corporate strategy, market entry, cooperation, and investment strategies
• Electricity, gas, hydrogen analysis, and markets
• H2 early-stage project development
• Overall project design, review, financing, and transaction support

Energy & Power Capabilities

• Technology assessments, (Pre-) feasibility, design, engineering, project deliveries, health and safety, environment, digitalization
• Renewable energy solutions, including wind, solar and hydro
• Electricity generation, transmission, and distribution
• Large scale electrolysers
• Energy storages

Process technology and Chemical industry capabilities

• Technology assessments, (Pre-) feasibility, design, engineering, project deliveries, health and safety, environment, digitalization
• Electrolysis process technologies
• H2 infrastructure and end-use in several process industry processes e.g. fuels, methanol, and ammonia
• H2 based steel and metals

Infrastructure capabilities

• Hydrogen refueling stations
• Harbour infrastructure
• Train infrastructure
• Carbon capture and storage (CCS) infrastructure

Automotive and mobility

• H2 end-use in automotive and mobility applications