Green Hydrogen: Is it the Fuel of the Future?

Countries around the world are working determinedly to decarbonize the planet by 2050. This can be attained by decarbonizing elements like hydrogen to give green hydrogen. The Russia-Ukraine war has caused limitations in fossil fuels, leading to a global energy crisis. As a result, the price of coal and natural gas has skyrocketed.

Decarbonizing the planet by 2050 will save the world about $12 trillion. This win-win scenario will lower energy costs while providing extra energy to a global economy. To attain this, there should be efficient, sustainable, and accessible energy like green hydrogen.

Understanding Green Hydrogen 

Green hydrogen is a light, highly reactive, universal fuel formed through electrolysis. The method separates hydrogen from oxygen, and when it’s obtained from renewable sources, the planet will have energy without emitting carbon dioxide. Green hydrogen is obtained by breaking down the water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.

Hydrogen dominates the universe more than any other element. But the atoms don’t exist by themselves. Therefore, the atoms should be decoupled from plants, water, or fossil fuels to create a sustainable energy source. Since 1975, its global demand has tripled, reaching 70 million tons by 2018. More so, it’s a clean energy that emits only water vapor, leaving no residue in the air.

Experts agree that green hydrogen generation will help meet the Paris Agreement goals. The major causes of climate-warming emissions are industry, transportation, and electricity generation. Renewable power, direct electrification, and energy efficiency can significantly reduce emissions from electricity production into the air.

Green hydrogen can also meet the energy needs of shipping, steel and concrete manufacturing, and aviation, which uses intense heat or high-density energy fuels.

Uses of Green Hydrogen

As a clean, renewable fuel, green hydrogen is used in various industries, including:

Heavy Industry

Hydrogen is used in the petrochemical industry to refine petroleum and in the chemical industry for fertilizer and ammonia manufacturing. It’s also used in metallurgy to manufacture steel.

Steel manufacturing contributes to about 7% of carbon dioxide emissions. We can manufacture emissions-free steel with green hydrogen, a significant step towards decarbonizing these heavy industries.

Renewable, Clean Fuel

Air and long-haul transport are major culprits of carbon emissions in the air. The use of green hydrogen as a clean fuel helps to decarbonize transport. Highly polluting and cheap fuels are often used in maritime transport. But green hydrogen offers an excellent option for long-haul vessels. Fuel is also a basis for synthetic fuels in aviation to radically minimize emissions from the industry.

Domestic Use

Using fossil fuels to heat your building, business, or home is not an alternative to reaching net zero emissions by 2050. However, to bring clean gas into your house, appliances like cooking units, gas fires, and boilers should be hydrogen-ready.

Much like the analog to digital TV shift, the change in the heating system should be embraced. Manufacturers are already designing hydrogen boilers for a smooth transition.

Benefits of Green Hydrogen

• Versatile: One advantage of green hydrogen is its versatility. It can be used in various industries, including aviation, manufacturing, and commercial and residential. It’s transformed into synthetic gas or electricity and used for mobility.
• Sustainability: Green hydrogen only emits vapor, unlike other fossil fuels that emit toxins into the ecosystem.
• Storable: The fuel can be stored in tanks for a long. Due to its light nature, compressed green hydrogen is easy to transport. 

However, generating green hydrogen is costly, making it expensive to obtain. It’s also a highly flammable and volatile element that requires extensive safety measures.

Wrapping Up

Green hydrogen is the future fuel that promises net zero emissions. It offers a clean and sustainable option to other fossil fuels. As industries and nations embrace the fuel, it has the potential to reduce air pollution, foster a healthier environment, and mitigate climate change impacts.