There are a number of sustainability aspects of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Systems. These include cost, environmental impact, and future perspectives. Let’s review these points in this article. Hydrogen is a good energy carrier, but it is not a source of energy itself. It is usable, storable, and transportable.
Contributions to Sustainability
Hydrogen plays an important role in energy and sustainability. This clean, abundant and versatile gas can be produced from a wide range of domestic resources with near-zero greenhouse gas emissions. When burned in fuel cells, it produces electric power. Hydrogen is also renewable and can be obtained through electrolysis, which breaks water into hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen can play an important role in decarbonizing sectors such as transportation and electricity generation.
In addition to the potential for carbon emissions reductions, hydrogen has other environmental benefits. It can reduce the emission of criteria pollutants and enhance grid reliability and resilience. The IEA estimates that hydrogen blends can reduce the CO2 emissions of natural gas by about 2 percent. Japan is also exploring cofiring green hydrogen-produced ammonia in coal-fueled boilers, which could reduce GHG emissions from coal power plants.
Hydrogen is an excellent fuel because it is easily converted electrochemically in fuel cells. Hydrogen is also a valuable feedstock for other fuels and chemicals. It can be used to fuel zero-emission fuel cell cars and run back-up power generators. It is also useful in heating houses.
Hydrogen and fuel cell systems have made significant advances in recent years. The efficiency of these systems has significantly improved, enabling them to be used as an alternative to fossil fuels. Hydrogen and fuel cells can also be fueled from waste streams, which can help the environment.
Environmental impact
Hydrogen and fuel cell systems are a potential solution for energy storage and production. Compared to conventional fuels such as diesel and natural gas, hydrogen does not emit pollutants or produce greenhouse gases. This means that the environment should be protected from unwanted emissions from hydrogen fuel cell systems. The technology also has many benefits, such as increased energy efficiency, increased safety and less noise and vibration.
Hydrogen and fuel cell systems are a viable option for energy storage and transportation, and the Department of Energy is making plans to further develop these technologies. RD&D is focused on determining how fuel cells are impacted by environmental factors, and developing materials and strategies to minimize these impacts.
Environmental impact assessments can be carried out by assessing the life cycle of products and processes. The life cycle assessment (LCA) is a process that incorporates both the environmental and social impacts of a product or service. It is an important tool in policymaking and helps policymakers assess the environmental impact of different hydrogen and fuel cell systems.
While hydrogen can be produced from many resources, the most common method is to reform or crack fossil fuels. This process yields about 85 million tonnes of hydrogen in 2016. It is used in the petroleum industry, metal production, semiconductor manufacturing, and food processing. It can also be used as fuel for power plants.
Future perspectives
Hydrogen has enormous potential for addressing many of today’s critical energy challenges, including climate change. As a renewable energy source, it offers ways to decarbonise sectors such as oil refining, chemicals, iron and steel production, and transportation. It can also improve air quality and contribute to energy security. Today, global energy-related CO2 emissions have reached an all-time high. And outdoor air pollution remains a serious concern, causing many premature deaths.
Hydrogen fuel cells are also a viable solution for transportation. They are safer and cleaner than conventional fossil fuel vehicles. They also produce no noise, which is beneficial for public health and the environment. However, to develop these systems, significant infrastructure is needed. Future perspectives for hydrogen and fuel cell systems include incorporating them into heavy-duty applications.
The development of hydrogen technologies has gone through cycles of exaggerated expectations and disappointments, but the technology remains an attractive option for deep decarbonisation of global energy systems. As technology improves and costs fall, more commercial products are becoming available. Currently, fuel cells are used in specific sectors such as Japan’s microgeneration sector and the US forklift industry. These advances are enabling the development of new industries and low-carbon skills.
Governments can help increase hydrogen supply by investing in research and development. By working together, governments and industry will be able to determine which hydrogen value chains have the greatest near-term potential. Furthermore, common standards will help facilitate trade.
Costs
Costs of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Systems vary greatly depending on the system used and the region. Dedicated systems generate electricity from renewable sources, which are a growing industry. Hydrogen stations make hydrogen from electrolysis of water, and they cost $3.2 million per station to construct and commission. However, these costs are expected to come down as economies of scale occur. Within ten years, the costs per hydrogen and fuel cell station will be similar to those of other renewable energy systems, including solar and wind power.
Fuel cell systems are expensive because they need precious metals to function as catalysts. These materials can be expensive, deterring some investors from investing in hydrogen fuel cell technology. In order to make hydrogen and fuel cell technology affordable to everyone, cost reductions will be required. One way to overcome the costs of hydrogen and fuel cell systems is to create clear regulatory frameworks. This will help commercial projects understand how much they will need to invest in their systems.
The cost of fuel is the biggest operating cost for commercial fleets. Hydrogen and fuel cell systems can close the cost gap between diesel and hydrogen at the pump because of their high efficiency. The S1200 fuel cell engine, for example, has the potential to bring fuel cost parity by four to eight years. Currently, the average diesel truck consumes 48 litres of fuel per 100 kilometers. In California, diesel fuel costs between $1.83 and $2.28 per liter.
Carbon capture
To make hydrogen fuel, high-purity hydrogen is needed. This process requires equipment and processing that are not currently available. It may also require new capture technologies. The DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency is a partner in the research. However, the research is not the end of the story. The next step is to find ways to use hydrogen for a clean energy future.
The use of hydrogen is a promising option for decarbonising the global energy system. However, it carries a risk of significant warming. If not managed properly, hydrogen could have an even higher warming potential than fossil fuels. This means that hydrogen-intensive scenarios could lead to up to a tenth degree Celsius of global warming in the near future.
In addition to capturing CO2 emissions, hydrogen and fuel cell systems also produce methane, which is a byproduct of the hydrogen production process. Although hydrogen does not emit carbon dioxide when burned, it contributes to climate change by increasing greenhouse gases, including methane, ozone, and water vapor, which contribute to indirect warming. This is because hydrogen is small, and therefore easily leaks into the atmosphere throughout the value chain.
To reduce carbon emissions, carbon capture technologies are becoming a viable solution for hydrogen production. Currently, there are numerous approaches to carbon capture, including renewable and nuclear energy. In the meantime, the federal government is also stepping in to support this technology. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act contains tax incentives for clean hydrogen projects, including a 10-year production tax credit.
