How ‘Green Hydrogen’ plays a critical role in creating a carbon emission free environment

The global push for emission-free energy solutions has gained momentum, with renewable energy, net-zero goals, and climate change at the forefront of discussions and policies. Governments and institutions worldwide are increasingly supporting renewable energy initiatives, leading to the rise of alternatives like green hydrogen, poised to revolutionize our path toward a carbon-free future.

Hydrogen – the hope as future fuel commodity – has a rich history in modern industry, fueling various modes of transport from cars to spaceships since the 19th century. To achieve decarbonization, green hydrogen has emerged as a highly promising, efficient, and environmentally clean fuel source.
Hydrogen Characteristics
Hydrogen is present on Earth in molecular forms like water and organic compounds. With its symbol H and atomic number 1, hydrogen occupies the top position in the periodic table. This elemental substance is lightweight, colorless, odorless, tasteless, and non-toxic, yet highly flammable. While these attributes make hydrogen an excellent fuel, it’s important to recognize that it isn’t a primary energy source but rather functions as an energy carrier. Therefore, hydrogen remains renewable only when the extraction process is sustainable.

As the most abundant chemical element in nature, hydrogen’s global demand as a fuel has tripled since 1975, reaching 70 million tonnes annually by 2018, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Currently, various methods are utilized for hydrogen extraction, including electrolysis, natural gas reforming or gasification, molecular transformation, and ongoing developments in thermochemical, photobiological water, and photoelectrochemical water splitting processes.

According to the IEA, adopting an electrolysis method to produce green hydrogen would prevent the emission of 830 million tonnes of CO2 annually compared to the emissions from producing this gas using fossil fuels.
Hydrogen as an Energy Source
Green hydrogen, a clean energy source, emits only water vapor, distinguishing itself from traditional fossil fuels like coal and oil. Derived from renewable sources, green hydrogen ensures a clean and sustainable fuel production process, devoid of any pollution.

Beyond serving as an energy carrier, it acts as a valuable raw material and plays a crucial role in reducing fossil fuel usage in sectors that are challenging to decarbonize, thus aiding in combating climate change. Additionally, green hydrogen proves to be an efficient energy storage system, contributing significantly to an emission-free future.
Practical Applications of Green Hydrogen
Improving energy use, using more renewable energy, and directly using electricity can cut emissions from making electricity and part of transportation. However, some parts of the economy, like aviation, shipping, long-distance trucking, and making concrete and steel, are hard to make low in carbon because they need high-energy fuel or intense heat. Green hydrogen could help solve these needs.

Its applications extend to various sectors including mining vehicles, railroads, aircraft, trucks, buses, and maritime transportation, showcasing its versatility and potential.

Moreover, green hydrogen finds essential roles in industries such as the chemical sector for ammonia and fertilizer production, the petrochemical industry for generating petroleum products, and the steel industry, where its adoption could lead to environmentally safer processes. Domestically, initiatives are underway to replace natural gas systems with renewable hydrogen networks, providing households with clean energy and heat without emitting harmful pollutants.

Importance of Green Hydrogen in Energy Transition
Hydrogen is gaining recognition as a critical component in the ongoing shift towards cleaner energy. While it is extensively used in industries like oil refining and synthetic nitrogen fertilizer production, its adoption in the energy sector has been limited due to cost disparities with fossil fuels. However, there is a growing acknowledgment of hydrogen’s pivotal role in addressing climate change.

As society aims to rapidly reduce reliance on fossil fuels, the emergence of clean and renewable green hydrogen, produced through electrolysis powered by renewable sources like wind, water, or solar energy, presents a more environmentally friendly option.

This process eliminates the need for natural gas extraction, pipelines, carbon capture equipment, and the associated emissions or leaks of pollutants like methane and carbon dioxide, showcasing its immense potential.

Benefits and Challenges of Green Hydrogen as an Energy Source Green hydrogen plays a crucial role in the ongoing energy transition, contributing significantly to achieving carbon neutrality and combating climate change, particularly in sectors that are difficult to electrify, offering a solution for reducing emissions.

Its key benefits include cleanliness, generating only water as waste, utilizing renewable energy sources, and being storable for extended periods. Its lightweight nature also makes it easier to transport and handle compared to lithium batteries, positioning green hydrogen as a versatile and sustainable energy option for the future.

Despite these advantages, green hydrogen faces challenges such as high production costs due to renewable energy expenses, energy intensity, and safety concerns related to its flammable nature. Addressing these challenges requires ongoing research and technological advancements to ensure green hydrogen becomes a more viable and widely adopted solution in the future.