Green Hydrogen Production: Generation to Transmission
Have you read about the recent flood? Do you notice the change and rise in temperature? Are you observing the minimal changes happening around you?
Yes, we all are in the same boat. The fire breakdown in the forest destroyed precious wildlife and damaged flora and fauna. Frequent floods and earthquakes are signs that we are going wrong somewhere. We all know that humans are the only creatures who produce non-biodegradable waste, which causes indefinite harm to nature.
With countries making proposals, funding research, and promoting sustainability, renewable resources acquire the path of a steady process. The recent past has been an excellent opportunity to raise awareness and attract the interest of laymen towards the environment, a green living which initiated a sustainable lifestyle.
There are commitments, conferences, and ideas, but there’s still a need to initiate community-based approaches to take firm decisions on environmental sustainability and climate change.
When produced using renewable resources instead of fossil fuels, Green Hydrogen can serve as an option for zero-emission, clean energy, and a long healthy future.
What is Green Hydrogen?
Green Hydrogen is the Hydrogen generated by using renewable resources, and it has lower carbon emissions. Green Hydrogen can be referred to as clean-burning fuel.
As we look into the future of sustainable living, green Hydrogen holds the potential of a clean energy source for domestic, community, and industrial purposes.
Availability of Hydrogen is plentiful in the atmosphere, and depending upon the process of production or extraction, Hydrogen can be divided into different categories.
Types of Hydrogen: Based on their production procedure
Depending upon the production or hydrogen extraction process, there are other variants of Hydrogen as well.
• Blue Hydrogen: Produced by natural gas and carbon emission, stored separately.
• Grey Hydrogen: Most commonly used natural gas, methane carbon emission are released in the air.
• Black & Brown Hydrogen: Produced by environmentally dangerous fossil fuels, a variant of Hydrogen.
• Green Hydrogen: Hydrogen is produced by processes like electrolysis using renewable energy.
Impact of Green Hydrogen
Green Hydrogen requires an electric current to split water into Hydrogen and oxygen. This pollutant-free energy source uses an electric heating system which is efficient and environment friendly.
Although there are many positive impacts of using green Hydrogen, it is highly flammable and requires a responsible and trained team of experts while transportation and delivery occur.
Due to lower density transportation, storage and management are crucial which might become more suitable for the environment in the foreseeable future.
How is Green Hydrogen Generated?
Production of green Hydrogen requires water, electrolyzer, and electricity. Green Hydrogen is commonly produced by water electrolysis, where splitting of water takes place and results in Hydrogen and oxygen.
Also, green Hydrogen is considered renewable and clean only if the electricity is acquired from renewable resources instead of fossil fuels.
Green Hydrogen is a significant step towards a greener economy and Development. However, this production process needs big electrolyzers that are in restricted supply mode ‘nowadays.’ Also, renewable energy is used significantly and maintains a certain cost.
Additionally, the process of electrolysis and use of a big electrolyzer makes it cost-ineffective to be used for domestic or small purposes.
Other Pathways and Processes
- Steam Reformation using biomethane
- Electrolysis of salt solution or by low carbon power sources
- Pyro reformation of glycerine
Transmission and Distribution
Due to the highly flammable nature, maintenance, transmission, and distribution make green Hydrogen expensive, which is the reason behind the low use of green Hydrogen.
However, the United States Department of Energy states that the green hydrogen market is expected to grow in the near future with well-equipped and advanced technology.
Also, most hydrogen production was derived from fossil fuels that can not be considered green Hydrogen.
Renewable sources such as wind, solar, and Hydrogen are promoters of green Hydrogen. As the air quality is going down in many metro cities due to improper production processes and high use of non-renewable energy, we should know that green Hydrogen can be the future of energy.
Detailed study of Green Hydrogen: Transmission and Distribution
Although the production cost is high because of the big electrolyzer, a viable infrastructure is needed to transport Hydrogen. It requires standard liquefaction tanks, pipelines, storage facilities, dispensers, and compressors.
Hydrogen infrastructure provides a promising facility with the latest delivery technology for bulk delivery. Furthermore, U.S companies are actively working to deliver bulk orders, and hydrogen vehicles are designed with innovative ideas and advanced technology for safe delivery.
Eventually, the U.S is planning to design Hydrogen-powered aircraft, Airbus, and trucks. We might see some significant outputs on these approaches by 2035.
Different distribution methods are as follows. Green Hydrogen can be transported and divided based on its delivery point-
1. Pipelines or cryogenic liquid tankers (by road) are the best methods for substantial demand, are least expensive, and deliver large volumes.
2. Liquefaction Plants /Liquid tankers fulfill small-scale demand, an expensive but efficient for longer distances.
3. For large-scale production, export markets, and other application, proposals to use chemical carriers (barges) for hydrogen delivery might be considered.
According to the reports, the current government is all set to cut the cost of green hydrogen production. The U.S Department of Energy plans to build a hydrogen network in Texas, as Texas is the largest domestic producer of Hydrogen with a pipeline network.
However, regional level small scale Hydrogen producing plants can maximize use and minimize challenges. Also, this can help to cope up with the challenges associated with pipeline network and compressor design.
Uses of Green Hydrogen
Misconceptions and arguments very much surround a sustainable lifestyle. Between the facts and figures, green Hydrogen has become a key element in the world of renewable sources.
Green Hydrogen serves many benefits in different sectors. From reducing greenhouse gas emissions to storage, sustainable green Hydrogen can be transported easily.
1. Green Hydrogen can be compressed and stored in specific tanks, which lead to easy mobility and serve as a sustainable mobility alternative. With fuel cells, green Hydrogen can be used as fuel for automobiles with fuel cells and hydrogen tanks that produce electricity to power engines.
2. Green Hydrogen is also used for domestic purposes with pipeline networks or community points. The primary purpose of green Hydrogen is to provide heat and electricity in households.
Green Hydrogen is leading the aim of promotion and implementation of renewable energy without producing pollutants or emissions.
3. Industrial use of green Hydrogen reduces the aggressive methods used in factories that are damaging the environment.
Green Hydrogen is used in chemical, petrochemical, and steel industries. Industries manufacturing chemicals like ammonia and fertilizer can lower pollutant emission by using green Hydrogen.
Storage of Green Hydrogen
Green Hydrogen is making a difference with the advancement of technology to transport and provide portable power. It requires advanced storage methods to meet cost, safety, and standard. Different storage methods are discussed below-
Geological storage helps green Hydrogen produced in excess to be stored in underground salt caverns (underground storage areas composed of salt) for large-scale energy storage.
In 2020, a storage project for clean energy was launched in Utah in the United States. We can use steel containers for small-scale storage.
Also, Green Hydrogen can be stored at cryogenic temperature for a long journey. It requires high-pressure tanks. Additionally, the U.S is developing an underground storage facility for green Hydrogen.
Research and Development
There are ongoing proposals to strengthen green Hydrogen with the best of technology. Green Hydrogen can lead revolutionary transformation in substantial lifestyle, economic potential, and career. Also, green Hydrogen is capable of providing us a substitute for fossil fuels.
To make green Hydrogen more efficient in industry and households, we need innovative and practical ideas to improvise mobility and a secure energy supply network.
Research and development teams from various tech and energy departments prefer to work on strategies with substantial financial support. R&D cooperation projects with a community-based approach promote the initiation and implementation of renewable resources.
Green Hydrogen can be made available to the majority by cutting down the production rate and maximizing local use. Studies concluded that the process of making green Hydrogen from green electricity is not considered commercially viable.
Significant research and development projects can improve the electrolysis process of generating green Hydrogen, transportation, and storage facilities.
R&D is also working to acquire alternative processes to produce green Hydrogen, although further research is required to study various methodologies used for industrial-scale production.
Also, for flexible and safe transportation, implement the concept of using different ways to carry green Hydrogen. Furthermore, green Hydrogen-powered automobiles, Airbus, and aircraft are planned to be launched from 2035 onwards.
As far as storage is concerned, researchers are studying different storing ways and working on metal hybrids. So, if we conclude, Research and Development are all set to expand the supply chain, maintain a high cost, easy and safe transportation, innovation, and flexible storage facility.
Challenges
Challenges with green Hydrogen are discussed below-
· Low run time for portable or Hydrogen powered devices or automobiles which use green fuel.
· High operational, maintenance, and running costs.
· Development of the supply chain is still in need of proper management.
· Lack of social awareness on green Hydrogen.
· Development of hydrogen technology.
· Low user acceptance because of high cost.
· Increasing energy efficiency
· Maintaining standard purity of green Hydrogen
· Codes and legal formalities
· Refueling time
Green Hydrogen needs a stable infrastructure that will eventually evolve and improve with demand and technology, although alternative ways to produce green Hydrogen are crucial.
Building a large-scale commercial green hydrogen production plant with a standard delivery option is itself a big challenge. Further, we need to explore the urban and local market, channel resources, and resource people, and global approaches.
Future of Green Hydrogen
Green Hydrogen is an epitome to represent the power efficiency of renewable sources. As we count years, green Hydrogen is becoming an essential element to help the global economy approach zero-emission, free emission.
With innovation and advanced technology, green Hydrogen can supply 25% of the global energy supply by 2050, and the U.S can aim for a more than $10 trillion market by 2050.
Investment and improvised planning in green Hydrogen can help government and private firms to introduce supportive policies, a cost-friendly experience for users, efficient and portable power.
Renewable energy has always introduced new job opportunities to support the economy and invest energy in young enthusiasts.
However, the reports suggest that the U.S is all set to promote green hydrogen activity as its market has grown much faster. Also, the green energy policies are getting planned and predicted to be more user-friendly.
Furthermore, the fuel cell electrical automobiles signify a boost in green energy and transport energy. As green Hydrogen is carbon-neutral fuel, it continues to capture favoritism among young environment enthusiasts as well as others who prefer a green and sustainable lifestyle.
Why do we Need Green Hydrogen?
Climate change is an existential issue, and renewable energy sources can reach heights with coordination and cooperation. With pocket-friendly, easy to maintain, and use of technology maximum, people will choose green energy for domestic and commercial purposes.
Green Hydrogen has been viewed as a booming industry as it is meeting future demands and draws close to a green future.
Any renewable resource can be versatile if it is harnessed by standard and proper technology. With benefits like decarbonization and conversion, green Hydrogen is a source of steady power that is highly compatible with the requirements of large-scale industry.
Old ways need new ideas to compensate for the challenges associated with them. The purpose and application can improve the journey towards cleaner and greener energy with a better future.
Pros and Cons of Green Hydrogen
The environment-friendly sustainable source of energy is a solution to achieve net-zero emissions. Green Hydrogen is one of the cleanest forms of energy produced by electricity generated from renewable resources. The foundation of green Hydrogen stands strong on manufacturing units for fuel cell production and electrolyzer plants.
Global energy demands increase with each passing day and are predicted to cross more than 25% to 30% by 2040. The global economy is dependent on fossil fuels; most of the population is bound to choose non-renewable options in the absence of one perfect renewable way.
Green Hydrogen is helping towards selecting an environmentally friendly option and stands firm with features like sustainability, and efficient way to deal with climate change, and is accessible, mobile green energy.
Green Hydrogen builds a long and promising relationship with the planet and commercialization. As we grow and progress, green Hydrogen will become cheaper and easy to use.
However, green Hydrogen is 100% sustainable and is emission-free, storable with transportability, and versatile for mobility purposes, but the high energy consumption, cost, and safety issues are concerning.
We can’t deny the fact that the same green Hydrogen can work wonderfully. It has the ability to be a valuable addition to space missions in a sustainable way. Also, the energy of green Hydrogen can be stored for long periods and transported easily with safety measures.
Green Hydrogen is a robust clean energy source, is readily available, and does not produce harmful emissions. Green Hydrogen is not only fuel-efficient but is also well suited for various kinds of other applications.
It is an unlimited fuel source and is widely available on-demand, but green Hydrogen is expensive due to its complex process. Also, this viable source of fuel is difficult to store without proper policy, plan, and equipment. Green Hydrogen is highly flammable and cannot be replaced easily as gasoline and other non-renewable resources, which are widely used.
Conclusion
Green Hydrogen will play an essential role in the future to completely replace non-renewable energy sources. Hydrogen is a basic element, but green Hydrogen can lead to creating a new world with properties like zero-emission and changing potential to tackle the climate crisis and effects of global warming.
The world of renewable energy is our way of finding solutions to the effects of global warming and greenhouse gases. A sustainable lifestyle takes little steps towards choosing an environmentally friendly option- ban plastic bags, reuse, and recycle. Green Hydrogen can be the bridge to future energy and a reliable, portable, and efficient renewable source of power for the long term.
The terms like biomagnifications are not so ‘uncommon’ these days. We know the effect of plastic bags on aquatic organisms. Now, when the world knows how suffocation feels after going through Covid-19, we should be the ones choosing a sustainable lifestyle as much as we can. Why let the earth suffocate? Ask yourself!
