The Hydrogen Fuel Cell has immense potential to provide a cleaner, more environmentally friendly energy source. It is produced from a range of domestic sources and produces very little greenhouse gas emissions. Instead of emitting harmful carbon dioxide, hydrogen produces warm air and water vapor that is used to generate electricity in fuel cells. This technology holds a promising future for the transportation and stationary energy sectors.
Sources of green hydrogen
Sources of green hydrogen for fuel cells are renewable sources of energy that can be used in fuel cells. This type of hydrogen can be produced from water using an electrolysis process powered by renewable energy sources, such as solar energy. This process also produces oxygen as a byproduct. This type of hydrogen is gaining in popularity due to the rapidly falling costs of renewable energy sources.
The first step to implementing green hydrogen in fuel cells is to reduce the price of electricity. This is not an easy task, as the cost of gas is much higher than electricity. However, if renewable power is used, the cost of green hydrogen could be less than $2/kg. This would reduce emissions from gas and electricity-intensive industries. The goal of the initiative is to make green hydrogen affordable for everyone, and to cut greenhouse gas emissions from fuel cells.
Green hydrogen production will require a large amount of renewable electricity. According to the IEA, it would require 3,600 TWh annually to produce green hydrogen. This amount is equivalent to the annual electricity production of the entire EU. The energy costs for producing green hydrogen will depend on how many large-scale projects are built near renewable energy sources.
There are several ways to create green hydrogen. Water electrolysis is one of the best examples of a green hydrogen process. It allows hydrogen to be extracted from a liquid or gas and is a highly efficient method of making hydrogen. This process is also cost-effective when compared to traditional electrolysis.
Cost of green hydrogen production
The cost of green hydrogen production will depend on the availability of renewable energy resources. While some countries have abundant renewable energy resources, others are in need of more. Bloomberg New Energy Finance estimates that there will be a shortage of renewable power generation capacity in some countries, including China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and South East Asia. Europe is also likely to face a shortage of sites for the expansion of renewables.
As more countries commit to creating a low-carbon future, the cost of green hydrogen production is an important factor to consider. Currently, green hydrogen is not competitive with the cost of hydrogen produced from fossil fuels. However, as carbon pricing increases and public standards make the use of low-carbon alternatives mandatory, this price gap is expected to close. Moreover, technological innovation and economies of scale will reduce the costs of electrolysers and improve the efficiency of renewable power conversion. By the mid-2030s, IRENA predicts that green hydrogen production will become cost-competitive with fossil-fuel-based hydrogen production.
The current cost of green hydrogen production is influenced by the high cost of electricity and capital expenditures required to build electrolysers. The most popular technology for this process is proton exchange membrane electrolysis, with prices ranging between 1100 USD per kW to 1800 USD per kW. This method is considered to be the most cost-effective and flexible method in Europe. Increasing electrolysis efficiency will lead to lower specific electricity costs. In turn, this will lower CAPEX.
Impact of political decisions on green hydrogen production
One way to combat climate change is to use green hydrogen for transportation, industrial processes, and food processing. Hydrogen does not produce any carbon dioxide, but its carbon footprint will depend on how it is produced. Green hydrogen production requires the use of renewable sources that can replace fossil-based power generation. Yet, such strategies are in direct competition with decarbonization strategies in the electricity sector. For example, low-carbon natural-gas hydrogen production can be used in combination with carbon capture and sequestration technology. But while this technology has been widely embraced by many, it has also been met with some criticism, pointing to the risks associated with fossil infrastructure and low public acceptance.
A key to the successful rollout of hydrogen is a low-cost system. Renewables are environmentally friendly and cost-effective, so countries with a high share of renewable energy have a distinct cost advantage. Furthermore, countries with advanced natural gas pipeline infrastructure can use their existing natural gas infrastructure to transport hydrogen.
In addition, green hydrogen production will improve the food security of the Global South. Historically, developing countries have used hydrogen to produce fertilizer. In the 1960s, India, Zimbabwe, and Egypt installed electrolyzers with capacities of up to 115.0 MW. Many international development agencies supported these projects in order to improve food security and domestic fertilizer production.
Efficiencies of green hydrogen production
Green hydrogen is an energy source that can be used in a variety of industrial processes. The most common industrial use is in the production of ammonia, which is used in fertilizers. However, hydrogen is also used in the production of base chemicals and steel, as well as in shipping and long-haul trucking. The use of green hydrogen should be considered complementary to electrification, rather than a replacement for it.
Green hydrogen is widely available, can be transported and stored, and can be produced from excess renewable energy. Furthermore, it is a potential energy carrier for electricity grids, reducing intermittency. With all these benefits, green hydrogen is an extremely promising decarbonization technology that can produce significant amounts of usable energy without causing any greenhouse gas emissions.
In the near future, green hydrogen will be a significant part of global energy production, accounting for up to 74 EJ per year. This is equivalent to 21 per cent of the world’s final energy consumption. As such, green hydrogen is a critical energy resource, which has drawn the attention of many governments. In addition, large companies have begun investing in green hydrogen technologies, and a number of industry alliances are emerging.
There are many different methods of producing hydrogen. SMR technology is the most common method, accounting for more than ninety percent of all hydrogen produced. This technology allows the hydrogen to be produced while also capturing CO2 released as byproduct. The H21 Leeds City Gate study examined the gas-to-gas process as a way to decarbonize heat in the UK.
Opportunities for green hydrogen in aviation
In an age of decarbonisation, the use of green hydrogen as a fuel for airplanes can be a significant contributor to the aviation industry. Hydrogen is a high-specific energy gas that can be obtained through renewable energy sources such as solar panels, geothermal power, and wind turbines. This gas can then be used to power fuel cells and produce electricity.
Hydrogen fuel cells are already being used in several demonstrator aircraft, and have a lot of potential as a fuel replacement for electric batteries in small commuter aircraft. They can also be faster to refuel than a conventional engine. However, there are many technological hurdles to overcome before commercial hydrogen fuel cells are ready for large-scale use. As such, hydrogen fuel cells are probably going to be limited to medium-sized to low-power aircraft for now.
The biggest challenges for green hydrogen in aviation include the production of affordable, large-scale hydrogen, as well as the integration of new technology into existing platforms. Still, some companies are focusing on developing green hydrogen technology for aviation as a way to address these challenges. For example, Airbus has committed to launching its first commercial hydrogen plane by 2035.
Green hydrogen in aviation could be a major contributor to addressing climate change. In addition to being a clean fuel, green hydrogen has the potential to be the propulsion system of the future. According to Airbus, green hydrogen will be cost-effective by 2030, and first regional aircraft could be ready for commercial use in 10 to 15 years. However, achieving this goal will require significant investment and research. Additionally, a stable regulatory environment is essential for achieving success in this exciting industry.
