Hydrogen Energy Introduction
Hydrogen fuel is considered one of the major future fuels to be used. Commercial fuel cell cars have started to use hydrogen as fuel. This fuel works in a carbon-free manner. This fuel is eco-friendly and has great potential ahead. We shall discuss H2 energy, its history, and its future in this essay. We’ll also go through the benefits and drawbacks of hydrogen energy, as well as its applications.
So what is Hydrogen Energy?
Hydrogen is a clean fuel that, when used in fuel cells, produces only water. The production of hydrogen can be achieved through a variety of sources, including natural gas, nuclear power, biomass, and renewable sources such as solar and wind.
Hydrogen power is being demonstrated in various fields from road transport to industrial level. But as the growing demand for energy is increasing the use of fossil fuels in every sector is also increasing. As a result of this pollution, climatic changes, global warming are becoming serious challenges for humanity.
These growing challenges can be only tackled with alternate sources of energy that produce zero carbon or have minimal impact on the environment. Hence one of many solutions to growing environmental challenges is the use of hydrogen fuel. Hydrogen fuel is used in internal combustion engines and fuel cells.
Therefore it has a great potential to be a future fuel of road transport. But for effective use of Hydrogen energy, it must be harnessed from water or other sources. The hydrogen gas is supplied to fuel cells in order to generate hydrogen power.
History of Hydrogen Energy
Here we are sharing the complete historical information on Hydrogen Energy.
- In 1788 Hydrogen got its name
- In 1838 Swiss scientists devised the fuel cell effect, which involves combining hydrogen and oxygen gases to produce water and an electric current.
- In 1920 the concept of renewable hydrogen is introduced.
- In 1932 fuel cell was invented which used hydrogen and oxygen for producing energy.
- In 1958 NASA was founded which later used liquid nitrogen mostly for its space programs.
- The first fuel-cell car was built by General Motors in 1966.
- The world’s first solar-powered hydrogen synthesis plant went online in 1990.
- 1999 The first hydrogen fueling stations in Europe were opened in Germany.
- The world’s first fuel cell-powered submarine is used deep-sea in the year 2004.
- In the year 2005 United States started Hydrogen initiatives.
Many ongoing projects are taken and will be in operation before 2030.
Pros and Cons of Hydrogen Energy
Advantages of Hydrogen Energy
In contrast to conventional technologies, hydrogen power end-use technologies are still in their early stages. But yet we can recall many advantages of Hydrogen power:
- H2 energy uses Hydrogen as a fuel that emits zero percent of carbon gasses. Hence its usage reduces its carbon footprint on the earth. Hence hydrogen power can be called clean energy.
- One of the eye-catching benefits of Hydrogen power is renewable as hydrogen is abundant and its supply does not get finished.
- It is used in fuel cells which help to run road transport and adds the benefit of reducing pollution by relying more on hydrogen power rather than on fossil fuels. Unlike H2 Energy most of the used energies have by-products that are somehow dangerous to the environment. Hydrogen energy after being utilized releases by-products which is safe
- Using hydrogen is totally non-toxic as it does not deteriorate human health since it does not emit harmful gasses.
- Hydrogen power has shown its potential and is considered more efficient than many other used sources of energy.
- H2 energy drives many space exploration programs.
- Hydrogen has the highest energy content.
Hydrogen power does not cause noise pollution as compared to ICE.
Disadvantages of Hydrogen Energy
While some energies have advantages, they also have disadvantages. Researchers will have a difficult time finding solutions if they do not address the negative consequences.
- Hydrogen power is in its initial stages and not popular enough so it is currently very expensive. H2 power nowadays is mostly used only in the automobile sector but yet average or middle-class citizens cant afford it.
- Hydrogen power cannot replace fuels used in households yet.
- Hydrogen when used in cars as fuel needs to be maintained at a certain temperature in order to be used. Hence hydrogen storage concerns are disadvantages when used in automobiles. Due to the same very reason hydrogen cant be used locally as well.
- Hydrogen power is very combustible and should be handled with care; otherwise, it poses a risk.
- Coal, petroleum, and other fossil fuels are relatively easy to transport, but hydrogen is more challenging.
- Directly using hydrogen power is advantageous but indirectly it causes concerns for the environment. Hydrogen is separated from oxygen in order to be used and it requires energy to do so which is supplied by oil or natural gas.
- The process involved to separate hydrogen and oxygen from water is very expensive and hence is also a drawback.
Uses of Hydrogen Energy
H2 energy is in its infancy and requires great attention to reach a mature level. Still, hydrogen power is used in lots of places.
- Hydrogen power is used in automobiles.
- Hydrogen is used in space exploration like h2 is used as a propellant in rockets.
- Hydrogen is employed in the fertilizer industry and among other places at an industrial level as well.
Future of Hydrogen Energy
H2 energy has numerous benefits from zero pollution to abundant supply. It seems clear that H2 energy is one of the important sources of future energy. Similarly, H2 energy systems for electricity and heat generation are being tested in a variety of locations. Great potential for the future of hydrogen energy lies in, it can be used with sun or wind energy to take hydrogen power to next level.
Besides their added advantage of minimal pollution should boost the value of such systems even more. Furthermore, Hydrogen power technologies are under demonstration processes and will eventually replace traditional technologies used in homes which caused pollution. Hydrogen can be produced from waste and in that way is very helpful for the environment. But this technology for the use of hydrogen production needs further assistance and research in order to be used globally.
Conclusion
Hydrogen energy is projected to play a significant role in the worldwide industry in the near future. But if there is a future regarding hydrogen power, some factors should be considered before moving ahead:
- The cost must be reduced in order for middle-class people to afford such clean energy. Furthermore to bring hydrogen energy into the utility market cost has to be reduced.
- Innovations and improvements in technologies of hydrogen energy systems.
- Hydrogen energy systems must be robust enough to prevent mishaps, as hydrogen is very flammable.
- Hydrogen has the potential to be the best solution for our energy needs in the future, but it will need governments’ wisdom full approach, and timely investments to make it happen.
- To visit the official website of the Indian Ministry of Power- Click Here
- To visit the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy- Click Here
