Reusing Drainage Water for Green Hydrogen by Mr. Pham Manh Doan of EcoLab at the Seminar on Policy and Technology for Green Transportation in Vietnam

Reusing Drainage Water for Green Hydrogen by Mr. Pham Manh Doan of EcoLab at the Seminar on Policy and Technology for Green Transportation in Vietnam at Fulbright School of Public Policy and Management on March 25 2025

Summary Takeaway of the Presentation: "Ecolab Water for Green Hydrogen"

By Mr. Pham Manh Doan, Business Development Manager at EcoLab

Key Themes:

1. Water as a Critical Resource for Green Hydrogen

   • Water is the primary feedstock for renewable hydrogen production via electrolysis.

   • Global freshwater scarcity (demand surpassing supply by 56% by 2030) and energy-intensive treatment processes necessitate sustainable water sourcing solutions.

2. Reusing Drainage Water for Hydrogen Production

   • Urban drainage water (greywater and stormwater) can be repurposed for hydrogen production after treatment.

   • Steps include:

     • Collection via urban infrastructure.

     • Treatment (filtration, reverse osmosis, UV) to meet electrolysis standards.

     • Electrolysis using treated water (e.g., 100MW electrolyzer requires 80 m³/h water).

3. Benefits of Drainage Water Reuse

   • Sustainability: Reduces strain on freshwater reserves.

   • Cost-Effectiveness: Lowers water sourcing and treatment costs.

   • Environmental Impact: Minimizes wastewater discharge and freshwater extraction.

   • Energy Efficiency: Can integrate with renewable energy (solar/wind).

4. Challenges

   • Ensuring consistent water quality for electrolysis.

   • Infrastructure investment for collection and treatment.

   • Public acceptance and supportive regulatory frameworks.

5. Case Studies

   • Tokyo and Singapore successfully use treated greywater/stormwater for hydrogen production.

6. Hydrogen’s Role in the Energy Transition

   • Clean Alternative: Zero GHG emissions when produced renewably.

   • Versatile Applications: Fuel, feedstock, energy storage, and grid balancing.

   • Policy Drivers: Global initiatives (EU’s REPowerEU, U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, Australia’s Hydrogen Strategy) aim to scale green hydrogen production.

7. Electrolyzer Technology and Market Growth

   • Technologies: Alkaline (ALK), PEM, AEM, and SOEC—all require high-purity water.

   • Global Projects: 1,125 GW in pipeline; Europe leads with 56% of advanced projects.

   • Cost Challenges: Dependent on renewable energy availability and dynamic operation.

Conclusion:

Reusing urban drainage water for hydrogen production offers a sustainable solution to water scarcity, aligning with global decarbonization goals. Advances in electrolyzer technology, supportive policies, and circular water management can accelerate the green hydrogen economy, but challenges like infrastructure and public acceptance must be addressed.

Final Message: Green hydrogen is pivotal for a net-zero future, and innovative water reuse strategies are essential to its scalable and sustainable production.