Green Hydrogen, a clean energy to look forward to in 2023

Hydrogen is lightweight, can be stored and does not generate polluting emissions by itself. However, Hydrogen is not a primary energy source but an energy vector, which means that it requires a chemical process for its production to be called Green Hydrogen.

Is hydrogen as renewable as we think?

You've probably heard that hydrogen is a renewable fuel, but this isn't always true. Hydrogen is only renewable if the process used in its extraction is also renewable. According to the Hydrogen Production Criteria, developed by Climate Bonds initiative, Hydrogen production requires high amounts of energy. Most of its production today is based on the cheapest alternatives: natural gas steam reforming and coal gasification making these production pathways have a high carbon footprint. The greenhouse gas emissions threshold (under ­substantial contribution criteria for climate change mitigation) for hydrogen production has been set in CBI and in most taxonomies globally at 3tCO2/tH2 (total carbon dioxide per total hydrogen) on a lifecycle basis which most ensures that hydrogen is produced from clean energy sources. 

The criteria involve two main components: mitigation and adaptation criteria and do not use a colour spectrum.

They include most of the available technologies and feedstock that can reduce GHG emissions from hydrogen production and are aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

“Regardless of the production pathway, an emissions intensity benchmark that decreases over time, aiming to reach net zero by 2050, must be met”

Green hydrogen it's a promising technology that can play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and in the transition to a more sustainable energy system.

Production

Green hydrogen is produced through a process called electrolysis, which uses electricity from renewable sources such as solar or wind power to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.

The hydrogen produced in this way is considered "green" because it is generated without the use of fossil fuels, making it a clean and sustainable energy source.

To produce green hydrogen at scale, large-scale renewable energy projects, such as wind or solar farms, must be developed and integrated with electrolysis technology. Additionally, governments and private companies should also invest in research and development of advanced electrolysis technologies to make the process more efficient and cost-effective.

To convert it into energy, hydrogen stored in specific tanks is channelled into a fuel cell. There, it binds again with oxygen from the air and the electrical energy is obtained. The only waste left by the process is water, a clean, sustainable system in which not an iota of CO₂ is emitted to produce energy.

Expectations for 2023

As renewable energy prices continue to decline, the production of green hydrogen is likely to become more cost-effective. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the cost of producing green hydrogen has dropped significantly in recent years and is projected to continue to decline in the future, making it more competitive with hydrogen produced from fossil fuels. As of 2021, the cost of producing green hydrogen through electrolysis of water is around $4 to $6 per kilogram, or $4,000 to $6,000 per ton. Nevertheless, it's still in the early stage of development and more research and investment is needed to make it more accessible and affordable for the wider use.

The IEA also estimates that by 2050, the production of green hydrogen could reach up to 6,000 TWh per year, which is equivalent to nearly 20% of the world's total electricity demand.

The good and the bad

This source of energy has pros and cons that we must know. Let's review some of its most relevant positive aspects:

·       100% sustainable: green hydrogen does not emit polluting gases either during combustion or during the production process.

·       Storable: it can be storage as a gas in high-pressure tanks, as a liquid in cryogenic tanks, or by converting it into a solid form through a process called metal hydride storage. However, and efficiency of the storage methods are still being improved.

·       Versatile: hydrogen can be transformed into electricity or synthetic fuels and used for commercial, industrial or mobility purposes.

Despite everything, green hydrogen also has negative aspects:

·       Higher cost: energy from renewable sources, key to generating green hydrogen through electrolysis, is more expensive to generate, which in turn makes it more expensive to obtain hydrogen.

·       Higher energy expenditure: the production of hydrogen in general and green hydrogen requires more energy than other fuels.

·       Attention to safety: hydrogen is a highly volatile and flammable element, requiring high safety requirements to prevent leaks and explosions.

Finally, as the demand for green hydrogen is expected to grow, countries that have abundant renewable energy resources and well-developed infrastructure could also become major exporters of green hydrogen to other countries.

Green hydrogen is expected to have a significant role in the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy system and in the decarbonization of various sectors.Final del formulario

About Ambire Global

Ambire is an innovative venture founded in 2020, providing consulting and digital solutions in sustainable finance, circular economy, and environmental engineering in more than 14 countries. It is headquartered in India and Colombia and is expanding its services globally to support the transition to a fair, equitable, carbon neutral world through efficient and customised solutions.