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What is Green Hydrogen?

29 March 2024
  • Article

Green hydrogen is a type of hydrogen produced using renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, or hydropower. It is one of the most promising fuels for the future, due to its sustainability and versatility. To understand more about the benefits of green hydrogen, let’s take a look at the production process of this clean energy source.

Production

Green hydrogen generation is a carbon-free process. Production occurs through electrolysis, where an electrolyzer splits water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen atoms. This process requires an electrical current to pass through the water molecules. Renewable sources, like wind, solar, and hydropower offer the electricity necessary for this process.

When it comes to green hydrogen generation, there are two types of electrolyzers currently in use. Proton Exchange Membranes (PEM) and Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) electrolyzers. PEM electrolyzers work by passing an electric current through the membrane that separates hydrogen and oxygen ions. The hydrogen ions travel through membrane, where they combine with electrons to form hydrogen gas. The oxygen ions combine with electrons to form oxygen gas. AEM electrolyzers work in a similar fashion. AEM uses a unique membrane that allows negatively charged hydroxide ions to pass through while blocking positively charged ions. 

Applications

In terms of applications, green hydrogen ranges between energy storage and transportation. With the transportation sector serving as one of the most promising applications. Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), powered by hydrogen fuel cells, convert hydrogen into electricity. In turn, this powers an electric motor. FCVs have the potential to offer clean, sustainable alternatives to gas-powered vehicles. This is because they only emit water vapor and produce zero harmful pollutants. 

Green hydrogen also puts excess renewable energy to use. This means unused wind, solar, or hydropower help create storable hydrogen. When renewable energy sources generate a surplus it can produce hydrogen, instead. This method provides a way to balance the grid, to ensure a consistent supply of renewable energy. 

Challenges

Although green hydrogen production is a carbon-free process, it's not without challenges. Before it can become a widespread fuel source, there are challenges to overcome. The largest challenge being the cost of production alone. Compared to producing hydrogen from fossil fuels, the cost of producing green hydrogen is much higher. However, as the cost of renewable energy decreases, the cost of producing green hydrogen is also expected to decrease.

The lack of infrastructure for distribution and storage of green hydrogen is yet another challenge. The transportation and storage of hydrogen require specialized equipment and infrastructure. These can be very costly to build and maintain. Despite the challenges, the future of green hydrogen is bright.

Governments around the world continue investing in the development of green hydrogen technologies. and the private sector is also investing heavily in this clean energy source. As the cost of production decreases and infrastructure improves, green hydrogen is poised to become a mainstream fuel source. Renewable energy like green hydrogen will provide clean, sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels.

Summary


Green hydrogen is a promising fuel source. It offers a clean and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. And its production puts renewable energy sources to use, offering solutions to a variety of applications. Although green hydrogen still has challenges to overcome, the future of green hydrogen is a positive one. With further investment and development, green hydrogen will play a significant role in the transition to a low-carbon economy.