The Black Sea: A Sea of Energy, Prosperity, and Peace

With the ever-increasing climate tions to reduce simultaneously environmental

warming urgency and depletion of known fossil and human risks.

fuel reserves, decision-makers and energy strat- This article focuses on the production of

egists are concentrating on new alternative fuels hydrogen gas and its transport to land on a ship

such as abundant renewable and waste energy powered by wave, sun, wind and also by hydro-

sources, which used to be ignored due to their gen. Additionally, it will be discussed the hydro-

low quality (exergy). Exergy is the useful work gen city project which uses coal and geothermal

potential of a quantity of energy. These alterna- energy resources in the region based on Sinop

tives are becoming the most important assets of city sample as well as its economic, environmen-

our future. However, industry, transport, and ag- tal and political advantages.

ricultural sectors require high-quality sources of

energy, which rely on fossil fuels. This conflicts The Black Sea: A Potential

with the necessity of using alternative energy Hub for Energy and Peace

sources as widely as possible. One of the emerg- The Black Sea is one of the world’s largest inner

ing technologies that can resolve this conflict is seas with an area of 432,000 km2, a maximum

the renewables-based hydrogen economy. water depth of 2,200 meters, and a water volume

By using lower-quality renewables like so- of approximately 534,000 km3. (Ertan, 2020;

lar energy to generate hydrogen from water Kılkış, 2020). The Commission on the Protection

provides a zero-carbon fuel, which has higher of the Black Sea Against Pollution depicts the

quality than natural gas. Black Sea countries are Black Sea quite soundly by describing it as the

very fortunate in this respect because the seawa- most isolated sea from the rest of the World's

ter is exceptionally rich in H2S gas that may be Oceans, with a catchment ratio1 of over six. Such

split into hydrogen and sulfur using abundantly a high catchment ratio makes it very critical for

available off-shore renewable energy sources like landside activities, non-coastal countries, and

wind, wave, and solar. The Black Sea has alarm- sea pollution. Its characteristic geomorpholo-

ingly high levels of H2S awaiting useful applica- gy with exceptionally high H2S concentrations

1 Catchment ratio is the amount of land area with respect to the sea surface area, which contributes water to that sea by rivers flowing

to that sea.

has resulted in a very thin upper layer of about sil fuel reserves and keeps adding international

150 meters to support marine life (Ertan, 2020; conflicts in the region each day. The only way

Kılkış, 2020). The situation is worsened by other to prevent these kind of threats is to share this

ecological mistakes, like partly discharging the abundant resources with coastal countries by

municipal wastewater of the city of Istanbul us- conducting joint projects.

ing the bottom current of the Bosporus to the

Black Sea. H2S Potential

The Black Sea, H2S Reserves, The Black Sea is one of the world's largest H2S

and Special Advantages reservoirs. The total reserves are estimated at be-

tween 28-63 billion tons (between 41x1012 and The Black Sea Region has a four-pronged advan-

tage, namely: 92x1012 m3) (Ertan, 2020Ertan (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.; Kılkış, 2020Kılkış (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). Assum-

1- Wind and Wave Energy Abundance ing a retrieval ratio of just 50% and consider-

2- Abundant H2S reserves for H2 and S, which ing that there are six countries with continental

are equally important for the environment and shelves, the Turkish share is estimated between 7

industry and 15x1012 m3 of hydrogen. (Ertan, 2020; Kılkış,

3- Low Salinity for Sea Water Electrolysis 2020). Hydrogen has an exergy-based calorific

4- Relatively Stable Politics. value of almost three times more than natural gas

There are well-defined and well-agreed (Kılkış, 2020Kılkış (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). Therefore, on a natural gas equiva-

upon continental shelves of the six countries lence comparison, the natural gas-equivalent net

around the Black Sea. This makes the area much reserve for Turkey will be about 21 to 45x1012 m3

more stable and free of military skirmishes as of equivalent natural gas. This is almost 65 times

long as the 1936 Montreux Convention about more than the recently discovered Tuna-1 (Sakar-

the natural straits of Bosporus and Dardanelles ya) natural gas reserve (Kılkış, 2020Kılkış (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.).

holds and the man-made Canal Istanbul project Furthermore, the yearly increase of H2S gas

is suspended, which may be vulnerable to forreserve in the Black Sea is annually increasing eign military aggression for free passage of warby a rate between 4-9 million tons/annum (Erships and submarines, especially to unnecessary tan, 2020Erships and submarines, especially to unnecessary tan (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). Again, taking the lower estimate, this but planned NATO interventions that possibly annual H2S gas increase in the Black Sea is about will make the region much less stable. The ennine times more than the Tuna-1 reserve. In othergy potentials of the Black Sea are not limited er words, if H2S gas is not used by renewables to to natural gas and hydrogen but also offer gas

hydrides in large amounts (Ertan, 2020Ertan (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). More- produce hydrogen, Turkey will be missing nine

over, it is clear that interests will be towards the natural gas reserve-equivalent energy reserves

Black Sea due to reducing hydrocarbon energy every year, which is a much cheaper-to-produce

in the Middle East which does not have another zero-carbon fuel. Furthermore, if H2S gas with

energy resource. In all these respects, the Black a self-ignition temperature of 505 K (232oC),

Sea with such a diversity of abundant resources highly volatile and combustible, is not removed

is the second Middle East, which only has fos- from the sea stock, its great and irreversible

Figure 1: The Black Sea Bathymetry

threat to the population and the environment, Potential Threats of the H2S

marine life, and humanity will keep increasing. Concentrations in the Black Sea

In a NATO ASI Book, edited by Veziroğlu and Figure 1 shows the unique sea bed bathymetry.

Tsitskishvili, several authors present the Black The shelf depth is between 0 to 160 meters. In

Sea as an important and potentially carbon-free terms of concentration, Black Sea contains a very

energy reserve due to its high H2S concentration large amount H2S gas that any ocean or sea has

in the seawater (Veziroğlu & Tsitskishvili, 2013Veziroğlu & Tsitskishvili (2013). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). not and this concentration increases every year.

H2S may be claimed onshore, off-shore, or be-

low the seabed systems, even by using a deep-sea The Current Situation

platform that utilizes a decommissioned sub- The connection from the Black Sea to the Mar-

marine (Petrov et al., 2011Petrov et al. (2011). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). The Black Sea Hy- mara Sea is a narrow, natural waterway, named

drogen Sulfide Workshop (BSHSW) concluded the Bosporus, which plays a vital role in the en-

that a common platform for concerted research tire ecosystem. There are two counter flows, one

above the other which do not mix in the Bospoincluding environment, energy, economy, and rus, namely an upper flow towards the Marmara the overall feasibility, must be established by the Sea and a bottom flow from the Marmara Sea surrounding countries, with a pilot system (Petto the Black Sea. The cooler upper flow trans-

rov et al., 2011; Yazıcı, 2013). A complete survey ports fresh and less salty water (average is 19‰),

about the potential H2S to hydrogen production mainly from rivers like the Danube river to the

in the Black Sea was also carried out (Yazıcı, Marmara, then to the Aegean Sea, and the Med-

2013; Haklıdır & Kapkın, 2005). iterranean Sea.

This flow refreshes the Mediterranean Sea, which trations up to the surface level, thereby exposing

is saltier (38‰). The warmer bottom flow trans- all the flammability, explosive, and toxic dangers

ports the saltier water coming from the southern to the environment and the nearby settlements.

seas to the Black Sea. This is a perfect hydrody- The total potential energy that currently exists is

namic balance, which has existed for thousands about 0.8x103 terajoule (TJ). This potential en-

of years and keeps the Black Sea about 30 cm ergy did not find a route through the Bosporus, to 60 cm (mainly depending upon the season) because of the well-balanced surface and bottom above the Marmara Sea. The thin upper layer of currents. If Canal Istanbul is going to be opened, marine water (about 200 meters) supports the

unique biological life in the Black Sea ecosys- this potential energy is estimated to be gradually

tem. The deeper and more dense water layers released through the Canal.

are saturated with hydrogen sulfide, that over Therefore, it is an urgent issue to dilute the

thousands of years, accumulated from decaying H2S gas concentration in the Black Sea itself

organic matter in the Black Sea. without expanding the threat to the city of Is-

tanbul and its surroundings and further down

Provisional Canal Istanbul towards southern countries and seas.

The most potentially dangerous human activity H2S gas -if decomposed to H2 and S- is a great

is the recently planned Canal Istanbul, which is energy source, much better than natural gas and

to be artificially opened almost parallel to the ex- other fossil fuels if handled and utilized proper-

isting natural waterway, the Bosporus. Figure 2 ly by using collocated renewable energy sources

is an estimate of the predicted early events after readily available in the Black Sea, namely wind,

Canal Istanbul. The H2S-rich layer might be hy- solar, and wave energy. In this case, all the activ-

drodynamically sucked in towards the Canal Is- ities must be in the Black Sea with minimal or

tanbul and will jet flow through the small nozzle no disturbance to the H2S layer. This requires no

under the pressure of the potential energy from hydrocarbon explorations with drilling activities

the Black Sea due to the difference in height of and no hydrocarbon exploitation with off-shore

the surface levels of the two seas. Surface veloc- gas platforms, all of which involve electrome-

ities in the Canal initially may exceed 14 knots chanical actions penetrating through the H2S

(29 km/h). This flow will move high H2S concen- layer. This limitation also includes off-shore wind

Figure 2: H2S Overflow Risk to Istanbul and the Marmara Sea through the Provisional Canal Istanbul The figure is not to scale) ©B. Kilkis *At the Initial Stages of the Canal Operation.

turbines with rigid foundations to the seabed, for shipment by ships, by fixed or semi-floating

which may disturb the natural water flows below pipelines to the shore using pumps, all of which

the surface. In this respect, the most recent deci- consume part of the exploited natural gas. On

sion of hydrocarbon explorations in the Black Sea the other hand, caution must be taken for han-

needs to be reconsidered until the H2S problem dling hydrogen to prevent leakages during stor-

is solved below a safer level. After all, natural gas age, transport, and use.

or oil has CO2 content and release net additional

moisture to the atmosphere, both of which speed Hydrogen economy in the Black

up global warming. Hydrogen is a clean-burning, Sea has no drilling costs because no

very high calorific value gas with minimal global drilling is necessary to reach the H2S

warming footprint compared to fossil fuels, and concentrations at the sea.

water is the only output. It may be argued that hy-

drogen combustion also emits moisture, but this As a result, both natural gas or any oth-

water release results from the closed water loop, er hydrocarbon fuel exploration ships and off-

which uses the original quantity of water con- shore gas platforms will be responsible for global

sumed for decomposing it to hydrogen. So, the warming in terms of CO2, SOx, NOx, particulate

net moisture release, with twice the greenhouse emissions, as well as moisture. On the contrary,

effect, compared to CO2 emissions, is nearly zero, H2S exploration and rational utilization of hy-

provided that it is generated from natural reserves drogen after generating from on-board renew-

and renewable energy sources. ables in a complete hydrogen economy (both on

the seaside and the landside) will be almost a

Hydrocarbon Economy versus zero-hydrocarbon application.

Hydrogen Economy -Business as Usual Scenario: Hydrocarbon

-Natural Gas Explorations. Recently, natural gas Economy. Hydrocarbon exploitation activities like

explorations, both in the Mediterranean Sea and natural gas exploration, drilling, exploiting, trans-

the Black Sea, are increasing. Ship engines hav- ferring, and consuming the fuel in the built envi-

ing much longer piston strokes, generally use ronment have average rational use of the quality of

marine diesel oil (MDO). Onboard the explora- energy sources value of 0.2 (world average) (Kılkış,

tion ships, as with all other ships in the stock, 2020). Considering both direct and avoidable CO2

this type of fuel is used with limitations on NOx emissions, due to quality destructions in such ap-

and particulate emissions both for steering the plications, the off-shore CO2 emissions responsi-

ship, for its domestic uses, drilling for pilot and bility higher than the hydrocarbon reserves will be

natural gas wells. about 1 kg CO2 for each kW-h.

The drilling process, as well as all domestic -Hydrogen Economy Scenario. The hydro-

demands, mainly consumes electricity by using gen economy on-board a conceptual hydrogen

the same type of marine diesel oil in electric mother ship will be self-sustaining with nearly

generators and only a few ships use combined zero environmental footprints, excluding the

heat and power (CHP), or trigeneration units embodiments of the system and equipment.

for domestic cooling purposes. When the natu- Hydrogen economy in the Black Sea has no

ral gas reserves are found, another off-shore gas drilling costs because no drilling is necessary to

platform extracts the natural gas and prepares reach the H2S concentrations at the sea, except

small-radius cruises of the mother ship to fol- gy-Maximum H2S Exploration Field lies within

low the maximum concentration and optimum the Turkish continental shelf. Marine Renewable

depth within the sea shelf of every nation bor- Energies and the Black Sea topic has been also of

dering the Black Sea. interest to the EU. For wave energy east of the

Turkish Black Sea, lignite and geothermal reser-

Costs and Environmental Impact of voirs on the land close to the shore are also in the

Natural Gas Exploration Compared to same area on the land side (Sinop and Zongul-

H2S: Cost of Hydrogen Ships dak Provinces). For wind energy though, along

the middle region of the Turkish coastline, the The only major cost is the specially designed and Black Sea has the highest potential. The potenconstructed hydrogen ship. There is no need for tially optimal region is shown by the square box deep-sea electromagnetic and sonic exploration in Figure 3. This box is within the Turkish conshipbuilding costs, no pilot drilling and productinental shelf. Solar energy insolation level, In, tion well drilling costs. The operation costs of which is around 500 W/m2, is not too feasible in the hydrogen platform are comparably low. The the Black Sea. only CO2 responsibility is minor exergy destruc-

tions related to onboard activities. Hydrogen Ship with 100% Renewables

for the Black Sea Black Sea Wave Energy and the

Black Sea Composite Map General Concept and Layout

For renewable energy, H2S, Water, and Hy- Figure 4 shows a not-to-scale plan view of the

drogen Nexus, it must be noted that the Exer- hydrogen ship, which has a semi-catamaran hull.

Figure 3: Composite map of renewables overlaid with wave energy for exergy-maximum H2S exploration field. The Figure also shows the most recently discovered natural gas field by TPAO with 320x109 m3 reserve. (Announced on August 21, 2020Announced on August 21 (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.)

Figure 4: On-board, all hydrogen, all renewable semi-catamaran energy ships for hydrogen and sulfur production in the Black Sea [Patent Pending]. The figure is not to scale ©Birol Kilkis

For each mother ship, there are two sister hy- center of gravity of the mother ship. Twin-blade

drogen ships for transporting hydrogen, sulfur, wind turbines are noisier on the land and they

oxygen, and H2S to the landside through their have not been preferred. However,on the seaside

marine terminals. The set of these sister shut- noise is not a problem for the coastal regions.

tle ships has separate H2, H2S, O2, and S tanks Savonious type of turbines on the starboard and

and supply material chambers. They shuttle beport side of the deck complement the wind enertween the mother ship and the marine terminals gy system. There are embedded pressurized-air alternatively as hydrogen-sulfur transfer ship tanks inside the hollow, tubular main wind towand logistics ship on their return to the mother

ship. One ship stays with the main ship while it ers to store pressurized air derived from the wave

is charged with hydrogen and sulfur. When the energy system, by which an air turbine is driven

second shuttle ship arrives back with supply ma- for generating electricity. Thus, the hybrid 100%

terial like charcoal and other chemicals, it de- renewable energy system has also a fourth di-

parts and the cycle continues (Kılkış, 2020Kılkış (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). mension, namely mechanical energy storage.

All ships can navigate and operate inde- The wave energy system is located in a vertical

pendently on their hydrogen power. Each moth- position on the catamaran section of the hull.

er ship of comparable size to the Fatih explora- It is a vertical, piston-crank mechanism type of

tion ship has two main twin-blade wind turbines air pumping system and operates only when the

with fixed axes. They are mounted on the ship mother ship is at a stop or at a dead-slow mo-

such that their moments are canceled at the tion. Otherwise, it is retracted up to eliminate

drag during normal cruising. Main solar panels track the sun, rotating around the towers. On each tower of the wind turbines, there are three main PV panels mounted symmetrically at 120o between them. They can rotate together around the tower and they can independently adjust their azimuth angles, controlled by a central control system. As an emergency case during cruising, these PV panels may be positioned such that two of them act as a wedged sail (See the inset

in Figure 4). During the nighttime when solar Figure 5: Flexible and retractable H2S claim system of

energy is not available, panels are brought to a the mother ship. The figure is not to scale ©Birol Kilkis

vertical position for cruising by sailing. During daytime, solar panels are adjusted to their optimum inclinations, considering the mechanical wind-sailing effect versus maximum DC (direct current) power generation from the sun, if wind energy is available and cruising is required. They may also be rotated for steering the ship. Under normal operations, one PV panel tracks the sun in azimuth, the second one tracks the reflected sunshine from the sea, and the third one tracks the ambient solar light. Two additional horizontal PVT panels are laid on the deck. These also provide low-temperature heat for domestic uses (Kılkış, 2020Kılkış (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). Another option is to lay additional PV cells on the inner roof of the catamaran end facing the sea surface to absorb reflected sunlight. As a precaution to helicopter pilots, their approach line versus sun glare from solar PV panels alongside standard wind turbine lighting must be applied according to international aviation regulations. All ships operate on DC mains (Kılkış, 2020Kılkış (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). The electrical exergy demand of the circulation pump for waste heat retrieval at the bottom

of the wind turbine tower must be less than the Figure 6: Hydrogen city integrated, off-shore

renewable energy system for Black Sea H2S reserves

exergy of the waste heat retrieved. A comput- (Artist`s conception, Patent Pending): 100%

er-controlled adjustment of pumping flow rate is renewable energy system principles. The Figure is not

to scale ©Birol Kilkis necessary for this kind of application.

Figure 7: Land and sea cooperation for complete water nexus ©B. Kilkis

In wintertime, the heat generated in the na- Hydrogen energy is generated in two steps,

celle may be used to warm the electromechan- namely by electrolysis of seawater and absorp-

ical system only. Fuel cells generate electricity tion of H2S+seawater. This system with H2

from hydrogen, while the waste heat can be uti- storage tanks makes the solar, wave, and wind

lized for onboard domestic uses. The specially energy collocation on the mother ship, which

designed or retrofitted hydrocarbon exploration is shown in Figure 4. A flexible piping system

vessel is driven by electric power, which is sup- with a lift pump(s) rises H2S+seawater mixture

plied collectively from fuel cells, renewable ener- from the optimum claim depth for maximum

gy systems, and CHP units, which are also driv- concentration. Optimum depth is adjusted by

en by hydrogen energy. Hydrogen-fueled CHP is both winding the flexible tube around a drum

a backup for power and domestic heat demands and also bending it with an adjustable pull rope

in the ship. as shown in Figure 5. The optimum claim depth,

Hopt is adjusted by a combination of winding or els, geothermal, and lignite for hydrogen, the

unwinding the flexible pipe and at the same time hydrogen city completes the hydrogen economy

swiveling it backward or forward. The discharge circle with almost-zero carbon emissions re-

is made by a deployable discharge pipe with its sponsibility.

dedicated pump. Figure 6 shows the wind tur-

bine tower with four functions. Depending upon The Black Sea and Belt and Road

year-round climatic conditions, exergy-based Connection

techno-economic feasibility, size of the ship, etc. The Black Sea has an important role in the Belt

additional DC power may be obtained by ther- and Road Initiative in several aspects. First of

moelectric generator (TEG) elements and/or or- all, the Black Sea -not only in terms of hydro-

ganic rankine cycle (ORC) turbines by utilizing gen technology but in terms of all energy types

the heat generated in the nacelle of the wind tur- and forms- will act as a scientific and innova-

bines by electro-mechanical drives. tive crucible, and a role model for the world, for

strengthening the economies of the countries

Land Side along the Belt and Road by centralizing the focus

Coupled with biogas, wind turbines, PVT pan- on coordinating and strengthening research and

Figure 8: Land and sea cooperation for hydrogen economy ©2020B. Kilkis

innovation regarding renewable energy systems feasible to utilize wind power, including heating

in an orchestrated manner while global warm- at the end of the energy utilization chain, includ-

ing agents are reduced. Such a monumentally ing farming, and light industry.

productive task will be facilitated by the new On the other hand, China and all other

Hydrogen Energy Center to be open in China in Central Asian countries are rich in geothermal

the near future. This center will be paired with energy. These centers may develop innovative

the Sinop Hydrogen Research Center. These solutions by combining and linking all the Belt

centers, in good coordination will accelerate and Road countries with their renewable assets

the decarbonization efforts in all forms of ener- and expertise about geothermal, solar, and wind

gy. For example, China is considering replacing power. By doing so, they can share the wealth,

coal, wood, and lignite use in homes of North- and develop clean cities as exemplified above in

ern Climates with wind energy-driven electric this paper regarding the Hydrogen City of Sinop.

heating. This idea was critically reviewed earlier As already shown in Figure 8, this city concept is

because the direct electricity-to-heat conversion not all about hydrogen but all about an optimum

is not rational among other integrated solutions and rational combination of local renewables and

of better ways of utilizing wind power. As in this fossil fuel resources like geothermal, solar, wind,

example, these new centers will lay the founda- biogas, wave energy (if available), and local indus-

tions of teaching and discussion grounds in such try, all facilitated by cogeneration, fuel cells, heat

a manner that hydrogen storage may be more pumps, and circular hydrogen economy.

Hydrogen in the Black Sea is not just hydrogen but is an important eye-opener and catalyst for the Belt and Road Collaborative actions to be taken for its sustainable and continuing future. (Source: Pexels website)

China and all other Central Asian countries are rich in geothermal energy. These centers may develop innovative solutions by combining and linking all the Belt and Road countries with their renewable assets and expertise about geothermal, solar, and wind power. (CGTN, 2018CGTN (2018). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.)

In the future, the new Center in China may portant for future regional and international air-

also get involved in the hydrogen-nuclear rela- ports linking all countries in the Belt and Road

tionship and boron as a safety and energy storage region from far east to west using their existing

medium. Turkey for example is already export- air transport fleet without any need for modifi-

ing boron by using the railroad link to China cation of the planes. At the same time, the Black

over the Belt and Road Initiative. Geothermal Sea will open an exemplary Belt-Road as an in-

energy may also provide lithium more clean- novative web of land, rail, sea (Black Sea and

ly in deep wells for electric mobility, including Caspian Sea), air (with strategically located new

electrical mechanization of farms in all Central airports), and rivers (the Danube for example)

Asian countries as well as Turkey, and beyond. spanning across the two continents, namely Asia

Freight trains, transport trucks from one end and Europe, and even beyond. The Black Sea will

to the other may be electrified with renewable be the last but the most important link of this

energy. Even ordinary jet fuel may be produced web of economics, environment, clean cities,

by a combination of hydrogen and certain local health, and wealth. At the same time, six Black

industrial wastes (Ertan, 2020Ertan (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). This is also im- Sea countries may find this web useful for fur-

B ir ol Kılk ış - T he B la c k S ea : A S ea of E ner gy, P r o s p er ity, a nd Pea c e

thering more peaceful share of resources, tech- proportionate savings of operating and main-

nology, and research. The Black Sea link concept tenance costs, while the same exergy demand

may also be combined with the Five Seas Strate- compared to natural gas is satisfied without any

gy, which may further expand the Belt and Road energy compromise.

Initiative to Southern Latitudes by sea. • If money continues to be the first in the

To the understanding of the Author, hy- agenda of politicians and economists, then the

drogen in the Black Sea is not just hydrogen but following argument holds:

is an important eye-opener and catalyst for the The hydrogen economy is the most sus-

Belt and Road collaborative actions to be taken tainable, cheap, and environmentally safe solu-

for its sustainable and continuing future. tion, especially for the Black Sea countries.

References Conclusions Ertan, S. (2020, September 20). Hydrocarbon Reserves

• If hydrogen and hydrocarbon economies in the Seas Surrounding Turkey. Information Note

(In Turkish). are simultaneously mobilized at an optimum Haklidir, M. & Kapkin, Ş. (2005, July 13-15). Black

mix, much more power and national pride Sea: A hydrogen source. Proceedings of the Inter

without international conflicts may be achieved. national Hydrogen Energy Congress and Exhibi

tion, IHEC 2005, Istanbul, Turkey.

• Hydrogen economy in the Black Sea will Kilkis, B. (2020, August 30). Exergy-based hydrogen

also reduce the potential risks of this combus- economy with 100% on-board renewables, h2s re

serves, and coastal hydrogen cities in the Black Sea

tible and flammable H2S gas at no cost as a bo- Region. [Special Report]. Turkish Ministry of Ener

nus for the hydrogen economy. gy and Resources (MENR).

Petrov, K., Baykara, S.Z., Ebrasu, D., Gulin, M. & • No oil platform costs and operating Veziroğlu, A. (2011). An assessment of electrolytic

expenses, no drilling and seismic exploration hydrogen production from H2S in Black Sea waters.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Vol. expenses. 3(6), 8936-8942.

• Much cleaner cities with nearly-zero-car- Veziroğlu, A. & Tsitskishvili, M. (Eds.). (2013). Black

bon emissions. Sea Energy Resource Development and Hydrogen

Energy Problems. [NATO Science for Peace and

• Hydrogen infrastructure will use the Security Series Sub-Series C: Environmental

existing natural gas infrastructure with about Security]. Netherlands: Springer.

Yazici, S. M. (2013). Conclusions from first Black

one-third of the natural gas capacity, leading to Sea hydrogen sulfide workshop (BSHSWS): A re

less maintenance and repair costs. A 20% mix view. In A. Veziroğlu & M. Tsitskishvili (Eds.),

Black Sea Energy Resource Development and of hydrogen by volume to the existing natural Hydrogen Energy Problems, (pp.9-18), Nether

gas lines will save about 60% natural gas and lands: Springer.