Groizard was in Palma to present the hydrogen business; in this interview he reviews some of the current industry issues
Mallorcan Joan Groizard, director general of the Institute of Energy Diversification and Conservation (IDAE), attached to the Ministry for Economic Transition and Demographic Challenge, was in Palma last Friday to attend the presentation of municipal green hydrogen businesses.
After presenting hydrogen businessmen in Palma, how can this renewal of Balearic energy be developed in the islands?
– The green product produced at the Lloseta plant will be able to cross the Palma bus, reaching the interurban route by means of transport, fleets of discretionary or rented cars. It will be available. Palma is the second largest city in Spain for cannabis, after Barcelona. But hydrogen is necessary in the Balearic Islands, and it is a priority, for heavier mobility: trucks and air and sea transport, essential in the Balearic Islands. Also, another use is the incorporation of hydrogen into the natural gas network, for example for hotel operation. In air and sea transport, changes and investments are very important. Aircraft tests have already been planned for this decade. Airbus is already thinking about the impact of hydrogen.
Will it be possible to see cruise ships charging dock electricity?
— It must be considered that the yacht is equivalent to the university of the municipality. Adapting the electrical grid to power a cruise ship is an expensive investment. Make sure it’s viable for you. In this sense, cruises do not offer the complexity that ferries do. Of course, we will move with the helmsman in that direction, but we need to analyze it well. I believe that the question of the cruise is also included within the debate on the form of tourism and the possibility of transportation in some areas of the island. Moreover, it is necessary to imagine that the navigator, either in port or at sea, will soon renew his energy.
It was to be expected, but there is already a dispute with the second cable with the Peninsula: the opposition of the neighborhood, to discuss the route through the Bay of Pollença or Alcúdia.
РThe second electrical connection between Mallorca and the Peninsula is an essential energy transition. In addition to the innovations that are developed and their adequacy to meet the requirement, this connection provides reliability and security. That it enters through Alc̼dia makes all the logic in the world, because the first cable enters through Santa Pon̤a and thus the security of the forces is balanced. By entering two streams through different locations, security is provided. The main source of electricity generation in the Balearic Islands already existed in Alc̼dia, in the coal-fired power station Murterar es Murterar. Any public work, even in industry, creates doubts or controversies. And because of this, technicians must be more open, because sometimes fear is generated from ignorance. There are gas pipes of this type under every city in the world. Of course, the best administrative and environmental planning should be done.
Boom of self-consumption in the Balearic islands Will there be more money from the state for this demand?
– The financing program for private consumption is working very well in the Balearic Islands and throughout Spain. We have crossed the threshold at which self-conception can be absolutely generalizable. We are investing more or less 500 million euros in European funds for self-consumption aid throughout Spain, although the distribution of that money by the autonomous community has not yet been outlined.
There are exiting energy transitions that are working very well, but should we speed it up? Is it a beautiful time?
-We are not in climatic danger. The climate crisis forces us to accelerate in all public and private areas. Nevertheless, without collapsing into disaster and respect, we have completed the journey and its pace should encourage us to accelerate. Energy has become a central theme. The Balearic and Spanish companies understand the fight against climate change and the commitment to renovations because they are cheaper, reduce external dependence – not to mention war – and also generate employment. A book can change the mind of public transporters. And if we continue to use the car, it is worth going to the electrical outlet.
The maritime spatial plan has defined two areas for offshore wind power in Menorca, not in Majorca.
– For the first time in Spain we have a maritime spatial planning system that also regulates the protection of biodiversity or fishing practices. 0.47% of the maritime surface of Spain appears to be susceptible to wind power. That surface, without filling everything, would allow us to meet the Spanish objectives for the wind sector, which are 3 gigawatts. The best balance happens in this first period. Visual and environmental impacts will be investigated in detail. The first step is very important, but the plan will be renewed every six years. Consultation is very healthy. Every infrastructure is impacted, but the renovation is minimal. Seeing a mill or plate is better than the alternative of continuing to burn fossil fuels in the climate crisis.
