One of the objectives that nations around the world have established for the year 2050 is to decarbonize the planet.One key to this is decarbonizing the production of an element like hydrogen, which is currently responsible for more than 2% of global carbon di oxide emissions, to produce green hydrogen.
To function, our way of life requires an increasing number of watts.The most recent estimates from the International Energy Agency (IEA), which were released at the end of 2019, say that global energy demand will rise by 25% to 30% by 2040. This would mean more CO2, which would make climate change worse in an economy that relies on oil and coal.However, reducing global carbon emissions suggests a different world in 2050, one that is driven by clean energies like green hydrogen and is more accessible, effective, and long-lasting.
The most abundant chemical element on the planet is hydrogen. It is found in 75% of the material.However, it is only found in association with other chemical elements like oxygen-forming water or carbon-forming organic compounds when we look for it.
It has been used by humans for a long time as a fuel, a raw material in the chemical or metallurgical industries, and as a raw material. However, since it cannot be obtained directly from nature in its pure form, humans must “manufacture” it.Additionally, the method by which we obtain hydrogen determines whether or not it is a sustainable and clean fuel.
How is green hydrogen produced and defined?
This innovation depends on the age of hydrogen, a widespread, light and exceptionally responsive fuel, through a synthetic interaction known as electrolysis.This technique utilizes an electrical flow to isolate the hydrogen from the oxygen in water.As a result, we will be able to produce energy without releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere if this electricity comes from renewable sources.
According to the IEA, this method of obtaining green hydrogen would conserve the 830 million tons of CO2 that are released into the atmosphere each year when fossil fuels are used to produce this gas.Similarly, 3,000 TWh/year of new renewable energy would be required to replace all grey hydrogen worldwide, which is equivalent to Europe’s current demand.However, due to the high cost of production, there are some concerns regarding the viability of green hydrogen;reasonable doubts that will vanish as the earth decarbonizes and, as a result, the cost of producing renewable energy goes down.
How does green hydrogen get produced?
The process of converting water molecules (H 2O) into oxygen (O 2) and hydrogen (H 2) through electrolysis of renewable resources results in the production of green hydrogen.To conduct electricity, the water used for electrolysis must contain salts and minerals.Direct current is applied while two electrodes are submerged in water and connected to a power source.When the electrodes attract ions with opposite charges to them, hydrogen and oxygen dissociate.Due to the effect of the electricity, an oxidation-reduction reaction occurs during electrolysis.
Hydrogen, nature’s most abundant chemical element, is clean energy.The International Energy Agency (IEA) noted that global demand for hydrogen as a fuel has tripled since 1975, reaching 70 million tons annually in 2018.In contrast to oil and coal, green hydrogen is a clean energy source that only produces water vapor and does not pollute the air.
Hydrogen has a well-established relationship with industry.This gas has been utilized to fuel vehicles, carriers and spaceships starting from the start of the nineteenth hundred years.Hydrogen will gain more prominence as the global economy decarbonizes, a process that cannot be postponed.In addition, we will undoubtedly be looking at one of the fuels of the future if its production costs fall by 50% by 2030, as predicted by the World Hydrogen Council.
With atomic number 1, hydrogen is the simplest chemical element and the first in the periodic table.It is portable, light, and does not emit any pollutants on its own.It is an excellent candidate for use as a fuel because of these properties.However, the production of hydrogen necessitates a chemical process because it is not a primary energy source but rather an energy vector.
You’ve probably been told that hydrogen is a fuel made from renewable resources, but this is not always the case.In order for hydrogen to be renewable, its extraction process must also be renewable.
Advantages of green hydrogen:
100 % reasonable:During production and combustion, green hydrogen does not produce any gases that are harmful to the environment.
Storable:Because hydrogen is easy to store, it can be used later for different things and at different times than when it is made.
Versatile:Green hydrogen can be used for commercial, industrial, or transportation purposes and converted into electricity or synthetic gas.
However, there are downsides to green hydrogen that should be taken into consideration:
High price:The cost of producing energy from renewable sources, which is essential for electrolysis-generated green hydrogen, is higher than the cost of obtaining hydrogen.
High consumption of energy:Compared to other fuels, the production of hydrogen in general and green hydrogen in particular requires more energy.
Security issues:Because hydrogen is a flammable and highly volatile element, extensive safety measures are necessary to prevent leaks and explosions.
Impact of green hydrogen: Countries like the United States, Russia, China, France, and Germany already use hydrogen as a fuel.Some countries, like Japan, want to go even further and become a hydrogen economy.
Generator for electricity and drinking water: The reaction of hydrogen and oxygen in a fuel cell yields these two elements.On space missions, for instance, this procedure has proven to be extremely beneficial because it has enabled crews to receive electricity and water in a sustainable manner.
Storage of energy: Compressed hydrogen tanks can store energy for a long time and are lighter than lithium-ion batteries, making them easier to handle.
Mobility and transportation: Hydrogen’s great adaptability enables it to be utilized in consumption niches that are extremely challenging to decarbonize, such as maritime transportation, heavy transport, and aviation.
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