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Green Hydrogen

We are committed to overcoming the technical challenges in the use of green hydrogen and contribute to the reduction of air pollution and to decarbonization.

Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced by electrolyzing water with renewable energy. While power sources will be gradually replaced by renewable energy, green hydrogen and other forms of hydrogen are needed to decarbonize fuels used in the heat source and transportation sectors. Although there are several challenges for production of green hydrogen such as its costs, it does not emit greenhouse gases (GHG) or air pollutants (sulfur oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, etc.) when burned. The OECC is committed to the decarbonization and improvement of the environment in Mongolia through green hydrogen.

Roles of the OECC

The OECC has been working with Mongolia for more than a decade to help the country overcome its environmental challenges. In the process, we have come to believe that green hydrogen is an effective way to solve Mongolia’s air pollution problems, break its dependence on oil and gas from other countries, and resolve its energy security issues. If Mongolia’s high renewable energy potential can be utilized to produce green hydrogen through water electrolysis and use it as fuel, GHG and air pollutant emissions within the target boundary can be completely reduced to zero. To solve air pollution – the top priority environmental issue in Mongolia – the OECC is working on the demonstration of green hydrogen production and utilization for commercial use with the support of the Ministry of Environment of Japan, by collaborating with the local government, local companies and Japanese companies.

Our Business

Identification of Local Environmental Issues and Policies

In the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, air pollution caused by the use of coal has been rapidly worsening since around 2010. Particulate matter concentration in winter is several times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) standard for most days, making it one of the most serious conditions in the world. The OECC team conducts site reconnaissance, measuring air pollutants at the grassroot level and exchanging information with the local government and analyzing this to understand the impact accordingly. Based on this and our firsthand experience in the field, we have decided to work on the local environmental issue (air pollution) through the implementation of a green hydrogen project, which can take advantage of Mongolia’s high potential for renewable energy. In order to start up the green hydrogen project, we are analyzing the domestic legal system and related policies on customs and installation conditions that would apply to project equipment.

Sharing Knowledge with Local Partners

Japan has a number of world-leading technologies in the hydrogen field. The OECC has reviewed Japanese and global manufacturers dealing with “produce,” “transport,” and “use” categories of green hydrogen technologies. Based on the analysis for each category, we have started to work with the Japanese companies that manufacture equipment with advanced technologies that are suited to tackle Mongolia’s challenges, followed by preparations for technology demonstrations.
In the process, we invited officials from the Mongolian government and local companies to the manufacturers and demonstration sites in Japan to introduce the characteristics of Japanese technologies and to share the findings from the demonstrations. During these visits, we learnt about the technology together, taking into consideration local needs and appropriate ways for Japan to contribute.

Implementation of Technology Demonstration

Under the support of the Ministry of Environment, Japan (MOEJ), the OECC is working with the local government and companies to implement small-scale demonstrations for green hydrogen production and heat supply to local companies. This is aimed at identifying technical issues and finding solutions for commercial deployment. We then aim to deploy green hydrogen technology horizontally in Ulaanbaatar, to establish a foothold for implementing projects that not only reduce GHG emissions but also solve Mongolia’s urgent air pollution issue.
One of the objectives of the demonstration project is to work with Japanese companies to help them build track records abroad and promoting their solutions globally.

Topics

Implementation of Pre-Feasibility Study under the Climate Technology Center and Network

Under the support of the Ministry of Environment, Japan (MOEJ), the OECC collaborated with the Mongolian Ministry of Environment and Tourism and conducted a pre-feasibility study of a green hydrogen project in Mongolia. This was undertaken within the framework of the Climate Technology Center and Network (CTCN), an implementation arm of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change hosted by the United Nations Environmental Programme. As a result, we were able to assess the merits and viability of the aforementioned demonstration and outline further plans for the project.

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