Pros and Cons of Hydrogen as a Fuel
Summary
Hydrogen when used as fuel, exhausts clean water vapour. It is portable like petrol (or diesel) so has the potential as fuel for cars and trucks. At present it is the only option for aeroplanes, as batteries would be too heavy. The main problem is cost and storage and adding yet another outlet source to existing petrol stations. Much work is being done to make these viable.
Hydrogen as a replacement for piped natural gas networks is possible but existing piping may need to be modified. For a full explanation see References below.
The pros and cons are detailed in the video and text below.
For further excellent videos on this subject see, (with short description): Toyota Sales Video, Long but informative, Advertorial, Spanish Iberdrola, 2 years ago, Advertorial, A Pessimistic View
Pros:
- Zero Emissions: When used in a fuel cell, hydrogen produces only water vapour and heat, making it a truly clean fuel source for vehicles. This can significantly improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Renewable Potential: Hydrogen can be produced from renewable sources like solar, wind, and biomass.
- High Efficiency: Fuel cell vehicles powered by hydrogen are more efficient than petrol cars, converting more energy into usable power.
- Fast Refueling: Refueling a hydrogen car can be done in minutes, similar to petrol, compared to the longer charging times of battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
- Long Range: Hydrogen vehicles can be driven further than most BEVs, good for long distance travel.
- Some work is being done to use hydrogen to directly power an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine). while maybe a pro, but the beauty of EVs is the engine simplicity.
- Versatility: Hydrogen can be used for various transportation modes beyond cars, including trucks, buses, and even aeroplanes.
Cons:
- Production Cost: Currently, most hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels, which negates its environmental benefits. “Green” hydrogen production using renewable energy is still in its early stages and expensive. If used to power fuel cells it uses electricity to produce hydrogen to power a fuel cell to electrically power a vehicle. A seemingly inefficient and therefore expensive process.
- Infrastructure Needs: A widespread hydrogen fueling infrastructure is lacking compared to petrol or electric charging stations. Building this infrastructure requires significant investment.
- Storage Challenges: Hydrogen storage in vehicles is bulky and requires specialized tanks, which can impact vehicle design and range.
- Cost: Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen fuel itself are currently more expensive than petrol and BEVs.
- Safety Concerns: Hydrogen is highly flammable, requiring careful handling and storage. While not inherently more dangerous than petrol, public perception and safety regulations need to be addressed.
Overall:
Hydrogen has the potential to be a game changer in clean transportation, but it faces significant hurdles in production, infrastructure, cost, and public perception. Whether it overcomes these challenges and becomes a mainstream fuel source will depend on technological advancements.
Both BEVs and hydrogen vehicles have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Several organizations are actively developing green hydrogen as a fuel, with varying approaches and stages of progress:
Energy Companies:
- Iberdrola: Leading the pack with 60+ green hydrogen projects across various countries, utilising renewable energy sources like solar and wind to power electrolyzers.
- TotalEnergies: Partnering with Adani Green Energy in India for a massive 2GW hydrogen electrolyzer farm powered by 4GW of renewables, aiming for 1 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030.
- Reliance Industries Ltd.: Transitioning from grey hydrogen to green, investing $US10 billion to create a comprehensive green hydrogen ecosystem in India.
- Shell: Implementing multiple green hydrogen projects worldwide, including a 100MW electrolyzer project in the Netherlands and a pilot project in Germany.
Governments:
- Australia: Committed to becoming a renewable energy superpower, with a $127 billion pipeline of hydrogen investments and over 80 announced renewable hydrogen projects.
- European Union: Investing heavily in green hydrogen research and development, aiming for 20 million tonnes of production by 2030.
- Germany: Leading the EU in green hydrogen development, with ambitious targets and significant funding allocated.
- Japan: Actively pursuing green hydrogen for energy security and emissions reduction, with several demonstration projects underway.
Other Organizations:
- Hydrogen Council: A global industry association promoting hydrogen solutions, with major companies like Shell, Toyota, and Hyundai as members.
- Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU): A public-private partnership supporting hydrogen research and development in Europe.
- Electrolyzer manufacturers: Companies like Siemens Energy, ThyssenKrupp, and ITM Power are developing and scaling up electrolyzer technology, crucial for green hydrogen production.
Stage of Development:
Overall, green hydrogen is still in its early stages of development, but progress is accelerating. Many projects are in pilot or demonstration phases, with some reaching commercial scale. Key challenges remain in cost reduction, infrastructure development, and technological advancements for broader adoption.
Additional Resources:
- Global Hydrogen Review 2023: https://www.iea.org/reports/global-hydrogen-review-2023
- Hydrogen Council: https://hydrogencouncil.com/en/
- Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking: http://www.fch.europa.eu/
References
12 Responses
Thanks Campbell.
It looks like it could be the future for long-haul big trucks and maybe buses in Australia.
Do you think it could power trains and ships to replace diesel?
Thanks David
Yes it is better than batteries for long haul big trucks and the only emission free alternative for ships, aircraft, etc. but there are problems – see my answer below (on the blog site) to Kris Romuld. Obviously because of the huge funds being poured into hydrogen development, problems will probably be overcome.
Sounds like a long way to go.
Really enjoy your blogs
Kim
Kim, always good to hear from you.
There is a long way to go, but hundreds of billions are being poured into hydrogen development. It is borne out of necessity. There is no alternative.
Campbell
My reaction is coloured by a high school chemistry class. When ignited petrol burns, hydrogen explodes. A leaking hydrogen fuel system would be very dangerous.
Electric planes have been flying for years, commercial use is planned and refueling in flight is being tackled.
The airline industry realizes current polluting technology needs to be replaced with hydrogen and electric the leading contenders.
Kris you are so right about the dangers of hydrogen exploding, particularly in aircraft. I asked Gemini, Google’s chatbot the question and their answer is shown below.
“Hydrogen can be explosive. How is this danger being minimised or negated in hydrogen use as a fuel?
You’re right, hydrogen’s flammability is a key safety concern. Here’s how engineers are minimizing this danger in hydrogen fuel applications:
Leak Minimization:
Material Selection: Pipelines and storage tanks are built with materials that resist hydrogen embrittlement, a phenomenon where hydrogen weakens some metals.
Stronger welds and joints: Meticulous design and welding techniques ensure leak-proof connections in hydrogen systems.
Leak detection systems: Sensors are constantly monitoring for hydrogen leaks, allowing for quick response and isolation.
Explosion Prevention:
Ventilation: Proper ventilation systems prevent hydrogen buildup in enclosed spaces, mitigating the risk of explosive concentrations.
Ignition Source Control: Open flames and sparking equipment are strictly prohibited near hydrogen. Special electrical equipment with minimal spark risk is used.
Flame Arrestors: These devices can be installed in pipelines to prevent flames from traveling backwards in the event of a leak ignition.
Rapid Dispersal:
Hydrogen’s advantage: Unlike natural gas, hydrogen is lighter than air. Leaks tend to rise and disperse quickly, reducing the chance of a dangerous build-up.
Training and Emergency Response:
Personnel training: Those working with hydrogen undergo comprehensive training on safe handling procedures and emergency response protocols.
Emergency plans: Facilities have clear plans for responding to leaks, fires, and other potential incidents.
By implementing these safeguards, hydrogen use can be significantly safer. It’s important to remember that even with these measures, complete risk negation is not possible. However, ongoing research and development continue to improve hydrogen safety protocols.”
Excellent post and overview. Thanks Campbell I have a much clearer understanding of a key technology and its potential
Thanks Ian
Thanks Campbell. Informative as always . It seems to me that hydrogen could, in the short term, best be used as a static fuel ;ie stored and used in the one place and not transported because of the possibility of leakage and subsequent high risk of explosion.
Its use in motor vehicles is also limited by the fact that you alluded to in that electric vehicle motors are simple, light and efficient.
One other individual vitally interested in hydrogen development you did not mention is Andrew Forrest who has and will continue to invest millions in the development of this product as a viable alternative to generate electricity for manufacturing processes.
Thanks Michael
Yes Twiggy has committed about $US6.5Bn so far and this article provides the detail:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2022/11/24/twiggy-forrest-green-hydrogen/
Also this article shows the necessity to develop hydrogen because of its portability and it downplays the explosive problem as hydrogen has been used for a long time without a problem.
https://impact.economist.com/sustainability/projects/the-future-of-hydrogen/hydrogen-why-this-time-is-different.html?utm_medium=cpc.adword.pd&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=a.io_apac_freetrial&utm_content=conversion.non-brand.anonymous.apac_au_en_free-trial_na_non-brand_google_subs_pmax_other_na_na&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2PSvBhDjARIsAKc2cgMfM1AfZcWK0g2gB-KDvouT73qJD_3etfIvy3r4HRiqR1xCVGyRQ78aAgRUEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Hi Campbell,
Yet another clear introduction of the current hydrogen industry. An associate of mine (former classmate and Kiwi army officer) has been working on hydrogen power for the past six years with his pilot plant established in his Bio Base in Cairns. His company is known as NFT Group (Natural Fiber Technologies).
We had dinner together just three weeks ago and he is confident that his pilot plant in Cairns is working well and is currently powering small electricity generators. He is of the view that it will be commercially available within two years. Your summary to Chirs is right on the ball with the difficulties that have had to be addressed. His primary issue at present is scaling up his trials.
Best regards as always.
Thanks Peter
I think cost is the major impediment but the answers I have given to Michael Wilkinson explain the necessity of developing a portable emission free fuel.