Introduction

Will hydrogen sceptics have to eat their words over the next two years has become a pertinent question in the energy transition discussion. Dr. Victor Nian, an advisor to public and private organizations on strategic energy issues, provides insight into the abundance of water and the challenges in utilizing it as a primary source of hydrogen. The key challenge lies in recovering this hydrogen using carbon-free energy, a requirement for the entire hydrogen value chain.

The urgency and momentum in global research and development efforts are paving the way for greener hydrogen solutions. This article delves into the challenges and prospects of hydrogen in the energy sector, focusing on storage, production, and potential applications.

The Challenge of Hydrogen Storage

While the production costs of hydrogen are significant, the main issue remains storage. Hydrogen is difficult to store due to its low density. Converting it back to electricity requires expensive fuel cells, whereas batteries use relatively cheaper power electronics. This means that while batteries remain the leading solution for power storage, hydrogen storage presents a different set of challenges, both in cost and complexity.

Utilizing Green Hydrogen

Green hydrogen can be produced using renewable energy sources, making it a key player in achieving carbon-neutral targets. In contrast to fossil fuels, green hydrogen has the potential to become cheaper than grey hydrogen (hydrogen produced from natural gas) within the next two years, as predicted by analysts.

One of the potential applications of green hydrogen is in the energy storage sector. In scenarios where there is excess green energy, converting it to hydrogen can be a viable option. This stored hydrogen can then be used during periods of low renewable energy production. However, the challenge lies in the dense storage of hydrogen as it requires more space than other energy storage solutions.

The Future of Hydrogen in Transportation and Beyond

Despite the challenges, hydrogen does hold some promise, particularly in sectors where energy density is paramount, such as rocket propulsion. Hydrogen's exhaust produces steam, which has a lower molecular weight than exhaust gases containing carbon dioxide. This makes hydrogen an excellent candidate for high-thrust rocket engines. Additionally, hydrogen could also find a niche market in emergency energy storage for wind farms, helping to mitigate issues of excess wind energy.

Conclusion

The sceptics are likely to face a changing landscape in the coming years. The growing research and development efforts, combined with the urgent need to achieve global carbon-neutral goals, suggest that hydrogen, especially green hydrogen, will play a significant role in the transition to a low-carbon energy system. The key will be in addressing the storage challenges and ensuring that green hydrogen is economically viable.

Stay tuned for further developments in the hydrogen energy sector. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below.