Hydrogen Energy
Hydrogen is the most abundant and simplest
element present on the Earth. It has phenomenal
characteristics of being colorless, tasteless and
invisible, and can combine with oxygen to form
water (H2O), and carbon to make compounds
such as coal and methane.
Hydrogen gas is also a dynamic source of zero
emission renewable energy which on combustion
produces no carbon dioxide, particulates, or
sulfur emissions. Hydrogen is considered as the
keystone to the new energy economy.
Hydrogen has the highest energy content of any
fuel on weight basis which is about three times
than gasoline, natural gas, and propane [source:
UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association]. Also, it
produces about 7 times the amount of energy per
unit weight contained in an equal weight of coal.
Hydrogen Production
Despite its characteristics, hydrogen is not
available on Earth naturally as gas, but can be
produced by process which is less environmental
friendly. The biggest challenge towards exploiting
hydrogen is to harvest it in its purest form.
To produce utilizable hydrogen, it has to be
separated from hydrocarbons by various
processes. It can be produced using diverse
organic resources—including fossil fuels, such as
coal and natural gas; nuclear energy; and other
renewable sources, such as wind, biomass, solar,
hydro-electric and geothermal power using a
wide range of processes.
Hydrogen Production Processes
Hydrogen can be produced using a number of
different methods. The two most common
processes are steam reforming and electrolysis.
Steam Reforming: It is currently the most
popular and least expensive method of hydrogen
production. It includes release of hydrogen from
organic resources such as fossil fuels and
biomass with the application of heat and chemical
reactions. Steam reforming is widely used in
industries to separate hydrogen atoms from
carbon in methane. The process results in carbon
dioxide emissions.
Electrolysis: It is a process where electrolyzers
separates hydrogen from water using an electric
current. The technology is well evolved and can
be used on a large or small scale. The electric
current used in electrolysis can come from
renewable sources like solar or wind energy, and
fossil fuels which may include carbon dioxide
emissions. While electrolysis from renewable
resources produces no emissions other than
hydrogen and oxygen, the process can be quite
expensive.
To exploit hydrogen to its full potential as an
energy source, new ways needs to be figured out
to produce it inexpensively from clean and
renewable sources. There are other methods in
research to produce hydrogen which include:
Direct Solar Water Splitting Process or
Photolytic: It use light energy to split water into
hydrogen and oxygen. This can be done by either
using specialized semiconductors called photo
electrochemical materials, or microorganisms or
organic matter called photo biological organisms
which uses sunlight to directly split water
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 Hydrogen Energy
molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. This
process is currently in a very early stage of
research but offers long-term potential for
hydrogen production with low or no greenhouse
gas emissions.

Biological Process: Microbes such as bacteria

and microalgae can consume biomass and
produce hydrogen through biological reactions,
using light energy or organic matter. This process
is also currently in a very early stage of research.

The hydrogen produced by the above methods Basic Schematic Diagram of Hydrogen Fuel Cell

can be condensed and bottled into liquid form for

The fuel cells are solid structures containing
easy transport.
electrolyte and batteries-like two terminals. The
Hydrogen Energy hydrogen and oxygen reactants flow into the
cells, fed by large tanks of liquid hydrogen. They
Hydrogen is a highly efficient, low polluting
combine with the electrolyte fluid to produce
energy carrier that can be used for heating,
electricity and water. The water flows out of
transportation, power generation and various
another port while the electric charge is
industrial applications including petroleum
conducted off the terminals and held in batteries
refining, metal treatment, production of fertilizer,
until needed. The generated electricity can later
and food processing.
be transmitted through the power grid just like any
It can be used as the energy carrier for generating power plant. However, the fuel cell will generate
electric power with the help of hydrogen fuel cells electric power as long as fuel (hydrogen) is
and hydrogen combustion engines. available, never losing its charge.

Hydrogen Fuel Cells: The key to utilizing Hydrogen Energy in Use Today
hydrogen as power energy source is the fuel cell.
The National Aeronautics and Space
It converts the chemical energy of hydrogen into
Administration (NASA) has used liquid hydrogen
electricity, with water and heat as by-products.
since 1950 as rocket fuel. Different kinds of fuel
cells are available for a broad range of
applications. While small fuel cells can power cell
phones, laptops, computers, and military
applications, large cells can provide electric
current in buildings as emergency power and in
remote areas with no power lines.

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 Hydrogen Energy
Hydrogen can be used in vehicles as an
alternative zero-emission transportation fuel.
Around 500 hydrogen-fueled vehicles are in use
in the United States, most of which are
automobiles and transit buses having an electric
motor powered by hydrogen fuel cell. The
production of such vehicles is limited due to the
high cost of fuel cells and the little availability of
hydrogen fueling stations.
Hydrogen-fueled Power Station
The first concept design of a Hydrogen Power
Plant was laid by GE in 2006 with a proposed 350
MW Hydrogen fueled power facility in Peterhead,
Scotland. But the plan was abandoned later due
to government clearances.
The construction of the first commercial-scale
power station in the world which is fueled with
pure hydrogen started in 2008 and came into
operation in 2009. Fusina hydrogen power plant
is located in the Veneto region of Italy and has an
installed capacity of 12 MW (Megawatt). An
additional 4 MW of energy could be generated in
the adjacent Andrea Palladio Coal Fired Power
Station through the reuse of steam that can be
generated by the use of hot air and water vapor
produced as the byproducts of the combustion of
hydrogen fuel.
Another 50 MW hydrogen power plant is
expected to come into operation in 2019 in the
Daesan Industrial Complex located in Seosan
City in Korea.
Pros of Hydrogen Energy
Carbon-neutral: The only byproducts of
hydrogen fuel burning process are hot air and
water vapor, which are not toxic hence releases
no harmful gases in the environment.
Renewable: Hydrogen is plentiful essentially
everywhere, which can be generated on demand
without getting exhausted ever.
Reliability: Since fuel cells have no moving
parts, thus they are more reliable than traditional
engines.
Efficiency: Hydrogen is three times more potent
and dynamic than gasoline and other fossil fuel
sources, which makes it attain more power with
less fuel. Also, fuel cells convert chemical
potential energy directly into electrical energy,
unlike combustion engines which first convert
chemical potential energy into heat, and then to
mechanical work.
Energy Content: Hydrogen has the largest
energy content amongst any fuel which makes it
a good channel for storing and distributing
energy. With its ability to hold 120MJ/kg, a small
amount of hydrogen can store significant amount
of energy.
Cons of Hydrogen Energy
Storage: The storage and support infrastructure
of hydrogen have not been developed to a great
extent yet. Hydrogen is more susceptible to
leakage due to its minute molecules, hence
needs to be stored at high pressure.
Expensive: The process of hydrogen extraction
is extremely expensive, regardless of the fact that
hydrogen is readily available on the Earth.
Emissions: Even though Hydrogen fueled
engines produce zero emissions, the process of
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extraction of hydrogen by steam reforming may
result in in carbon dioxide emissions.

Flammable: In the natural form, hydrogen is

highly volatile and easily flammable, which makes
its transportation a lot harder. Hydrogen is
majorly conveyed through pipelines or in tankers
in a liquefied or compressed state which may lead
to hydrogen leaks.

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