The Hydrogen myths
Hydrogen, with its potential as a clean and versatile energy carrier, has captured the imagination of many as a key solution for a sustainable future. However, amidst the optimism and excitement surrounding hydrogen, there are also lingering myths and misconceptions that persist. One of these is the belief that hydrogen applications are still distant dreams, far from practical implementation. In this article, we will explore the reality behind this myth and shed light on the current state of hydrogen applications, highlighting the progress made and the promising developments that bring us closer to a hydrogen-powered reality.
Hydrogen lacks environmental friendliness!
Hydrogen is an environmentally friendly and efficient energy carrier, as it only produces water vapor when combusted. Green hydrogen, generated through electrolysis using renewable electricity, provides a sustainable alternative to carbon-free hydrogen production. Additionally, hydrogen serves as a long-term storage medium for renewable energy and helps stabilize power grids by being stored in natural gas networks or tanks.
Hydrogen production is too expensive!
Increasing production capacities aided by decreasing costs of renewable power have made hydrogen profitable amidst rising natural gas prices. Analysts from Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) predict that hydrogen application costs will be halved in the next decade, expanding its competitiveness across various sectors. The Hydrogen Council, an association comprising 90+ international companies, supports this outlook.
Efficiency losses pose a challenge in hydrogen production!
Approximately 25% of the energy used in hydrogen production is typically lost as heat, but modern processes have achieved lower percentages. By capturing and utilizing this heat in a heating network, the efficiency loss can be transformed into an energy source for other applications. This sustainable energy can be integrated into district heating networks or directly used for heating residential and commercial spaces. Such sector coupling connects the electricity, heating, and mobility sectors, leading to more sustainable and economically viable projects.
Hydrogen's applicability to mobility is limited!
Hydrogen competes with battery-powered electric vehicles, but both have distinct applications. Electric cars excel in cost-effectiveness, yet heavy vehicles face limitations due to battery weight, short range, and long recharge times. The Federal Environmental Agency suggests that larger and heavier vehicles with longer distances benefit more from hydrogen, such as ships, aircraft, trains, commercial vehicles, and logistics. Successful projects exist in these sectors. Modern hydrogen buses achieve a 350 km range with 8-12 kg H2/100 km consumption, while heavy commercial vehicles can reach 1,000 km with around 8 kg H2/100 km. Fuel cells are also employed in local rail transport, with pilot projects demonstrating a 1,000 km range and 18-28 kg H2/100 km consumption.
Hydrogen applications remain a vision for the future!
Green hydrogen, once seen as a future vision, is now a reality showcased at industry events like Hanover Fair. Successful sector coupling projects demonstrate the cost-effective use of hydrogen for green mobility, heating, and integration into regional energy networks. In industrial processes, green hydrogen effectively decarbonizes activities such as heating kilns in glass, cement, and steel production with the potential to reduce 80% of CO2 emissions in the steel industry. Additionally, hydrogen is utilized as a raw material to create synthesis gas, enabling the production of chemicals, polymers, synthetic fuels, and even ammonia for climate-friendly fertilizer production.
In conclusion, the myths surrounding hydrogen applications being distant dreams have been debunked. The reality is that hydrogen is a viable and environmentally friendly energy solution. Its potential as a clean energy carrier is evident in the production of green hydrogen through electrolysis, offering a sustainable alternative to carbon-intensive methods. The decreasing costs of renewable power and increasing production capacities make hydrogen economically viable. Efficiency losses in hydrogen production can be harnessed for other applications, contributing to the overall sustainability of energy systems. Moreover, hydrogen's suitability for various mobility sectors, such as heavy vehicles and transportation, has been proven through successful projects. The use of green hydrogen in industrial processes further demonstrates its potential for decarbonization and the production of essential materials. As we continue to embrace hydrogen technologies and witness the progress made, it becomes clear that hydrogen is not just a dream of the future but a tangible and promising reality for a sustainable world.
Inspired from:
Tino Krüger, Getting to the bottom of five hydrogen myths. (n.d.). https://www.h-tec.com/en/news/detail/getting-to-the-bottom-of-five-hydrogen-myths/