Is green hydrogen the fuel of the future?

Posted: March 29, 2024

A fuel that we can manufacture on demand using water, wind or sunlight that only produces water vapor as a byproduct sounds like a pipe dream. But it exists. That fuel is hydrogen.

Powering the energy transition

We can make hydrogen using sustainably generated electricity and use it to power anything from vehicles to industrial processes. Unlike burning fossil fuels, which releases carbon dioxide as a byproduct, the only byproduct of hydrogen fuel use is water. Just steam. 

When we manufacture hydrogen using sustainable electricity sources—such as hydro, wind and solar—its environmental footprint is extremely limited. That’s why hydrogen created with sustainable power is called green hydrogen. It’s a crucial tool in combating climate change and fostering a more sustainable future for generations to come.

The process of electrolysis

Hydrogen manufacturers produce green hydrogen by using sustainably generated electricity to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen—a process called electrolysis. The more efficient we can make this process, the more viable—and profitable—green hydrogen becomes as an alternative to fossil fuels. Efficient electrolysis can make green hydrogen a formidable player in the global energy arena. Simulation software, like AVEVA™ Process Simulation, is perfect for optimizing processes like electrolysis.

Watch a presentation on how AVEVA Process Simulation supports sustainable process design for the complete hydrogen value chain.

How green hydrogen can be used

We can put green hydrogen to work everywhere from transportation to power generation and industrial processes. We already have emissions-free vehicles that run on fuel cells powered by green hydrogen.

Green hydrogen can even make renewable power generation itself more reliable. When renewable power sources like wind or solar make more energy than there’s demand for on the grid, the excess energy can go into hydrogen production. Then, the next time power demand exceeds what the wind or sun can produce, power utilities can use that hydrogen to generate electricity and make up the difference.

Other industries that use hydrogen as a raw material can also use green hydrogen to decarbonize. For example, fertilizer companies that use hydrogen to create ammonia fertilizer can drastically decrease their carbon footprints by using green hydrogen instead of hydrogen that’s generated using fossil fuels.

Unlocking the full potential of green hydrogen will require governments, organizations and industry stakeholders to collaborate. They need to establish a robust infrastructure for green hydrogen production, storage, and distribution to ensure industry can widely adopt these technologies. Through collaborative initiatives like technology exchange and partnership formation, the global community can expedite the transition to a green hydrogen-powered future.

Learn how Topsoe is removing bottlenecks and speeding up the development of their solid oxide electrolyzer cells (SOECs) with a view to optimizing their design and developing their control strategy.