What are the Benefits of Hydrogen?
Unlocking across various sectors, the utilization of hydrogen throughout the entire operational continuum.
- Energy Sector: The storage and demand-driven distribution of electricity generated through wind, hydro, or solar sources.
- Infrastructure Development: Paving the way for new business opportunities in areas such as ports, fuel stations, energy providers.
- Industrial Applications: Empowering industries to achieve sustainability goals cutting costs and reducing carbon taxes.
- Transportation and Logistics: CO2 and noise emissions, alongside extended travel distances facilitated by storage capabilities.
What are the Varieties of Hydrogen?
Is hydrogen truly a monotonous element? Although inherently colorless, its production methods introduce a spectrum of distinctions. A classification system has emerged, three primary categories:
- Eco-friendly Hydrogen (Green): Derived from water through electrolysis, powered by renewable energy source.
- Conventional Hydrogen (Grey): Synthesized from fossil fuels, presenting a pragmatic option during a transitional phase.
- Sustainable Hydrogen (Blue): Initially manufactured as grey hydrogen, incorporating a Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) process to CO2 emissions.
How does a hydrogen-powered vehicle work?
The fuel cell takes chemical energy, in the form of hydrogen, and turns it into electricity that can power an electric motor, just like a battery. So, a hydrogen-powered car is powered by an electric motor.
First, hydrogen stored in a tank (that is thick-walled and crash-tested, and usually under the rear seat) is mixed with air and pumped into the fuel cell. Inside the cell, a chemical reaction extracts electrons from the hydrogen.
The leftover hydrogen protons move across the cell and combine with oxygen from the air to produce water. Meanwhile, the electrons create electricity, which charges a small storage battery used to power an electric drivetrain (just like in an electric vehicle). This is why the vehicles are called Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV), as compared to the Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) which are on roads already.
The biggest difference between FCEV and BEVs is the source of electricity. Electric cars run on batteries charged electrically (even from solar panels). Hydrogen-powered cars produce their own electricity. Therefore, they have their little power plant on board – that’s the fuel cell.
So, unlike an internal combustion engine, which produces, the only end products of this hydrogen-powered reaction are electricity, water, and heat. The only exhaust products are water vapor and warm air.
The potential of tomorrow’s energy is in your hands.