26.10.2022
The pioneering initiative will promote the development of innovative solutions focused on the fuel of the future
Transforming the Suape Industrial Port Complex into a research, development and innovation space focused on the fuel of the future: this is the proposal of TechHub Hidrogênio Verde. Led by CTG Brasil, one of the leaders in clean energy generation in the country, in partnership with the National Department of SENAI, SENAI Pernambuco and the State Government, the initiative will focus on Suape the implementation of innovative projects focused on production, transport, storage and green hydrogen (H2V) management. Together, the projects will initially receive investments of up to R$ 45 million.
The proposals were selected in the public call for “Green Hydrogen Strategic Mission”, promoted by the National Department of SENAI and by CTG Brasil. The public notice, which result was announced last February, provided for an investment of R$ 18 million in the most innovative solutions capable of generating business related to the fuel of the future. This initiative is part of CTG Brasil’s investment strategy in R&D+ innovation, in line with the Research and Development Program regulated and promoted by Aneel (National Electric Energy Agency).
Brazil has great potential for generating energy from renewable sources. For the director general of SENAI, Rafael Lucchesi, the country needs to increase investment in innovative and sustainable solutions. “We need to advance further in research. Our biggest challenge is to develop a diversity of sustainable and reliable energy matrices that will be able to supply the energy needs of a growing population”, he emphasizes.
“SENAI’s role is to collaborate in the implementation of these projects, which may contribute to increasing the attractiveness of our State. We see the Suape Port Industrial Complex as a way to test the viability of these projects in a real scenario, bringing together other companies and creating a true innovation hub”, explains the regional director of SENAI Pernambuco, Camila Barreto.
For CTG Brasil, the largest investor in the Green Hydrogen program, TechHub plays a key role in the company’s innovation strategy, contributing with solutions and new technologies that accelerate the energy transition and boost Brazil’s role in projects focused on an economy of low carbon. “One of the objectives of the initiative is to promote an ecosystem focused on the use of new technologies, improvement in the electrolysis process, increase in the total efficiency of the plant, cost reduction, training and proposition of new business models”, says Carlos Nascimento, manager of Research and Development at CTG Brasil.
To connect all pilot plant investment initiatives implemented at TechHub, a digital trading platform for Green Hydrogen will be developed. “It is essential to trace and certify the origin of energy for the production of hydrogen, ensuring that the plant’s power source comes from 100% renewable energy, opening even more doors for the commercialization of what is considered the fuel of the future”, says José Renato Domingues, corporate vice president of CTG Brasil.
The Secretary of Economic Development of Pernambuco, Geraldo Julio, celebrates the initiative. “This Hub shows the capacity of the Suape Complex and its diversity in embracing projects from various segments. We are looking to the future, as green hydrogen is a global innovation, it has great potential for investment, sustainability and development of the green economy. In addition, it is visionary measures like this that will always keep us protagonists and appearing in the strategy of major global economic agents when talking about the Northeast and Brazil”, he points out.
For the director of Environment and Sustainability of Suape, Carlos Cavalcanti, the initiative is in line with the objectives that were outlined for the future of Suape and the State itself, to strengthen the economy by attracting businesses that focus on sustainability. “This project shows the capacity of the Suape Complex and its diversity in embracing industries of various types. We are looking to the future, since green hydrogen is a global innovation, it has great potential for investment, sustainability and development of the green economy”, he stresses.
Memorandum of understanding
The State Secretariat for Economic Development (SDEC-PE), CTG Brasil and SENAI Pernambuco signed a Memorandum of Understanding to evaluate the development and/or implementation of several projects in the hydrogen chain of the Suape Port Industrial Complex. This is an agreement that aims to unite the company’s expertise, the State’s energy potential and the port’s strategic positioning.
With the formalization of the memorandum, it will be possible to establish collaborative relationships between the institutions in order to promote the development of projects. In addition, the partnership contributes to the decarbonization process by increasing the share of renewable sources in port activities.
This initiative aims to develop the potential of H2V and identify opportunities in the most strategic public port in the Northeast, given that 90% of the region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is located within a radius of 800 kilometers from the port. In addition, the intention is to establish joint opportunities in the area of energy and decarbonization of industries linked to the port.
The SENAI Innovation Institutes
The SENAI Innovation Institute Network was created to meet the demands of the national industry. It focuses on applied research, the use of knowledge in a practical way, in the development of new products and customized solutions for companies or ideas that generate business opportunities. The institutes work together, forming a multidisciplinary and complementary network, among themselves and in partnership with the academy, with service throughout the national territory.
The network is made up of 26 SENAI Innovation Institutes. Since its creation in 2013, more than BRL 1.2 billion has been mobilized in 1,332 Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) projects. The structure has more than 930 researchers, of which about 52% have a master’s or doctorate degree. Because they are recognized as Science and Technology Institutions (ICT), the SENAI Innovation Institutes have access to several non-reimbursable funding sources for RD&I projects. Currently, 15 institutes make up EMBRAPII units and have direct access to resources to finance strategic research and innovation projects.
