What Is Green Hydrogen Energy?
Green hydrogen energy has been on the rise in recent years. Although its production remains on a small scale, more countries are embracing the idea of producing it.
Green hydrogen energy is energy generated by renewable energy. It is also the energy generated from low-carbon power. Even though they are both made from hydrogen, green hydrogen energy differs from gray hydrogen energy.
While gray energy needs an asbestos abatement contractor to manufacture, green hydrogen energy is mostly extracted in a lab process. Besides, the carbon emissions of green energy are significantly lower compared to gray hydrogen energy. The hydrogen market is largely made up of steam reforming of natural gas.
Green Hydrogen Energy Uses
Given that green hydrogen energy is generally cleaner than its counterparts, it has many uses. Many companies use this gas in production and for several other purposes. Some of the common uses of green hydrogen energy include;
Heating
Green hydrogen energy can be used for heating and cooking within homes. Given the clean components of green hydrogen, it can be used to heat up surfaces, whether at home or in production plants. Besides, many asbestos abatement firms rely on this product to power their operations.
Hydrogen heating is on course to power most homes in the country by 2050. The efficiency provided by green hydrogen energy is another reason people are considering using it in homes. It is also durable because it lasts longer than standard cooking gas.
Transportation
Green hydrogen energy is also used in transportation since it powers fuel cells. The product is also widely used in internal combustion engines. Motor companies are now producing hydrogen vehicles that run on green hydrogen energy.
Besides, trucks are also being designed to run on green hydrogen energy. This is a game changer because green energy is more durable and reliable than standard gas.
Natural Gas Industry
Green hydrogen energy is also used in the natural gas industry. While natural gas pipelines are sometimes used to transport hydrogen, they are prone to various challenges. For instance, most of these pipes require upgrading to transport green hydrogen.
For that reason, gas companies opt for green hydrogen as a carbon-neutral alternative. Green hydrogen does not cause damage to the environment, making it a reliable option.
Besides, natural gas-powered plants can be converted to aid in producing hydrogen energy. This provides backup power in times of high demand.
Despite the growing importance of green hydrogen energy, its production is still expensive. According to research by the International Energy Agency, the cost of producing green hydrogen is around $6 per kilo. This is way higher than the $2.50 used in the production of steam methane reformation.
While the cost of production remains high, several things can be done to reduce it. For instance, cutting the cost of electrolyzers will go a long way in reducing the price of green hydrogen energy.
The Future Is Green Hydrogen Energy
Green hydrogen energy remains a critical product in the gas industry. Even though it has a high cost of production, it has several uses that make it worthy. For instance, it can be used for heating, transportation, and many other purposes.