Egypt’s New City Aims for World’s First Hydrogen-Powered Skyscraper
Egypt’s ambitious “New Administrative Capital” project, a sprawling new city under construction outside of Cairo, is set to host a groundbreaking skyscraper powered by clean hydrogen, CNN reports, citing developer Magnom Properties.
The Forbes International Tower, designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, will stand 240 meters tall, featuring 43 floors of office space and a net-zero carbon footprint.
The tower’s unique power source, a combination of 75% hydrogen and 25% solar panels, will completely bypass the traditional power grid. Magnom aims to achieve a “net-negative carbon vision” by removing more carbon than it emits throughout the skyscraper’s lifecycle.
The development company also plans to utilize low-embodied carbon construction materials, reducing emissions from sourcing, manufacture, and disposal, and implement on-site water recycling and treatment to minimize freshwater demand. Magnom is seeking a Zero Carbon Certificate from the International Living Future Institute, a first for a skyscraper.
This project marks a major advancement in net-zero architecture, joining other notable projects like Foster + Partner’s Z6 tower in Beijing and the upcoming Curzon Wharf in Birmingham, England. However, the use of hydrogen as a primary power source for a skyscraper is novel and ambitious.
Hydrogen, a clean and renewable energy source when produced through certain methods, has gained significant attention from governments worldwide, including the Biden administration, who view it as a potential key to achieving zero-carbon energy goals. Despite its promise, critics highlight the need for rapid scaling of hydrogen production to meet current energy demands.
Magnom Properties has partnered with Schneider Electric and H2 Enterprises to explore the use of Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHC) technology for the Forbes International Tower. LOHC technology allows for the stable storage and transportation of hydrogen, leveraging existing fossil fuel infrastructure.
The partnership will assess the design, space requirements, and economic viability of using clean hydrogen for the skyscraper. While hydrogen is currently the primary goal, other alternative power sources and transmission methods are being explored.
