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Green Hydrogen
Green Hydrogen
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GREEN HYDROGEN.
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Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 3
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
This paper talks about hydrogen in general, the production, storage, distribution, and utilization
of hydrogen, its potential to decarbonize economies and speed up the transition to Net Zero while
generating thousands of green jobs, hydrogen’s sustainability as a reliable fuel, and how green
hydrogen will be if utilized globally.
This paper’s only focus will be on green hydrogen, how it will help speed up the transition to Net
Zero while generating up to 100,000 green jobs, and its great potential in global energy sectors.
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earth’s climate, there needs to be modifications in the utilization of the various energy sources.
This can be accomplished by implementing one of the subsequent techniques: increasing
efficiency while reducing the consumption of fossil fuels, using carbon-free or low-carbon
energy sources such as renewable energy sources, and separating and sequestering carbon
dioxide produced from fossil fuels (Brandon & Kurban, 2017). But in order to reach a
decarbonized economy by the year 2030, a fossil fuel replacement is needed. As concerns about
the rising GHGs emissions and air pollution from the utilization of fossil fuels keep rising,
interest in using hydrogen as a fossil fuel replacement keeps growing because of its
environmentally friendly nature. Decreasing the dependency on fossil fuels and potentially
reducing GHG emissions and pollutants can be achieved by using hydrogen as the main fuel.
Hydrogen, being a clean energy carrier, concurrently decarbonizes the commercial, residential,
industrial, and transportation sectors. Although, at present hydrogen is being considered as the
main alternative to and replacement for fossil fuels, it is not a naturally occurring substance.
Instead, it is found in chemical substances such as hydrocarbons and water that must undergo
chemical transformation to produce hydrogen gas. The most widely utilized technique for large-
scale hydrogen generation is the steam reforming of natural gas. Producing hydrogen by steam
reforming natural gas involves the utilization of fossil fuels at the production stage, where
greenhouse gases are emitted. However, the hydrogen economy can't achieve its goal of
decarbonizing economies by 2030 if hydrogen continues to be generated by the steam reforming
of natural gas technique. In order to speed up the transition to Net Zero, hydrogen must be
obtained from a process like water electrolysis (green hydrogen), which does not involve using
fossil fuels. In spite of the fact that many industries in the UK and all over the world have
already implemented hydrogen fuel systems in its infancy, the production, storage,
transportation, and utilization of hydrogen present issues that need to be addressed. To fully
harness hydrogen’s potential across all economies, government support and collaboration with
academia and industry are needed.
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energy carrier along with electricity. Hydrogen has great technical, economical, and societal
appeal as a viable solution to decarbonize economies by the year 2030. The eventual successful
outcome of a hydrogen economy is contingent on the general public. The hydrogen economy
being accepted by the world market is not only dependent on its commercial and practical
viability but also on the safety in widespread usage. The realization and development of
hydrogen-based economies have been difficult and challenging tasks due to the substantial
investments needed. Hydrogen has always had the potential to be significant, but the challenges
of establishing hydrogen economies all over the world have hindered progress. This is mainly
because the production, storage, transportation, distribution, and utilization sectors in the
hydrogen economy all have challenges that need to be addressed while maintaining strategic
policy support. In the transportation sector, for example, the debate over whether hydrogen fuel
cell vehicles or hydrogen refueling infrastructure should come first has stymied progress toward
using hydrogen as a transportation fuel. The transition to using hydrogen as the primary fuel in
global economies will fundamentally change energy systems all over the world while reducing
atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions. Hydrogen’s sustainability, cleanliness, and versatility
support a smooth transition to the hydrogen economy from the current global economy
dominated by fossil fuels (Dixon et al., 2016).
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an anode, cathode, and an electrolyte based on a solution of caustic salts. Energy is needed to
break water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen, but this energy is eventually recovered during
the oxidation process to produce water. The energy needed to split the water to release hydrogen
must be obtained from a non-fossil source such as hole-electron pair excitement in a robust
semiconductor by solar radiation. A sturdy semiconductor material that can satisfy and withstand
nature’s competing requirements is to be used. Photons from the sun fall inside the visible
spectrum, requiring semiconductors with a bandgap lower than 1.7 eV for an efficient and
effective absorption (Bockris, 1999). In order to closely match the spectrum of the sun, oxide
semiconductors such as titanium dioxide can be doped with impurities that lower their bandgap
energies. Existing challenges for water electrolysis presently include low conversion efficiency,
high electric power costs, and high production costs. The ways of alleviating water electrolysis
costs are by reducing the cost of electricity, reducing the cost of the electrolyte, or removing the
membrane (separator) to reduce ohmic losses. For the reduction of the cost of electricity,
intermittent electricity generated from renewable sources such as hydropower and wind can be
used. However, it is anticipated that the price of electricity would eventually go down as
renewable energy technology develops further (Connell et al., 2022).
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While hydrogen production from fossil fuels is presently more cost-competitive, hydrogen
produced from renewable sources is expected to be the lowest-cost option in the near future.
Thorough studies, research and assessments are being carried out to determine the most practical
and economic viability of the various hydrogen production techniques but at present, water
splitting seems to be the most viable technique for producing hydrogen on a large scale.
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compressed at ambient pressure. The compressed hydrogen gas is then cooled in a heat
exchanger before passing through a throttle valve, where it goes through an iso-enthalpic Joule–
Thompson expansion, producing liquid hydrogen. The liquid hydrogen is then removed, and the
cooled gas is sent back to the compressor via a heat exchanger. A dewar-type vessel will then be
utilized to keep liquid hydrogen at a final temperature of -253.15 degrees Celsius (Conte et al.,
2001). Because a significant portion of the hydrogen's energy content may be lost during
liquefaction, storing hydrogen in liquid form entails high energy expenses.
Choosing the state or form for storing hydrogen strongly depends on the end-use energy
conversion applications, with each storage option having its own pros and cons. The storage of
hydrogen in gaseous form is preferred due to the lower costs involved. It is also preferred to store
hydrogen in the liquid form due to its high volumetric energy density. Hydrogen being stored in
the solid state on the other hand, is considered more efficient and safer than liquefaction and
compression due to lower self-discharge, leak proof status, and higher charging efficiency cons
(Mazloomi & Gomes, 2012). More and more studies, researching and assessments are being
carried out to determine the most practical and economic viability of the different hydrogen
storage options.
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however that, pipeline materials constantly in contact with hydrogen easily get embrittled by
hydrogen. This mechanism is referred to as hydrogen embrittlement and can damage a wide
range of materials, even the high-strength steel pipelines currently being used for transporting
and distributing hydrogen. In hydrogen embrittlement, lone hydrogen atoms first diffuse through
the metal. Small quantities of hydrogen diffuse into the metal at higher temperatures, while
diffusion is aided by a concentration gradient at lower temperatures. While recombining in
minuscule voids of the metal to form hydrogen molecules, hydrogen atoms create pressure in the
cavity they are trapped in (Tashie-Lewis & Nnabuife, 2021). The pressure will build-up will and
eventually cause the metal to crack open. By adhering to the recommended maintenance
procedures and safety measures, unwanted losses and damages can be easily avoided. Other
transportation and distribution system components, including pressure reduction stations, pipe
seals, and end-use components, must also be evaluated for suitability. Without a change in
infrastructure, the power-to-gas model is leaning towards blending small amounts of hydrogen
with natural gas. Blending natural gas with hydrogen could be a transition step towards
converting the gas grid system to solely transport hydrogen. The main issue with the power-to-
gas model at the moment is how much hydrogen can be properly blended with natural gas. The
properties of the natural gas being utilized and the design of the appliances that are already in
place both play a role in determining how much hydrogen can be safely blended with natural gas
without jeopardizing public safety.
According to a study conducted by the EU, natural gas can be blended with about 30% hydrogen
without putting the general public’s safety in jeopardy. Another study in the United Kingdom
also suggests that early levels of hydrogen should be limited to about three percent within the
United Kingdom’s natural gas pipeline. The gas grid in the United States of America (USA) is
already delivering natural gas mixed with 10% hydrogen (Dodds & McDowall, 2013).
Transitioning to gas-to-gas pathways will take a very long time, and decisions must be made if
governments are to fulfil the CO2 reduction target in the coming years. Future hydrogen
transportation and distribution systems may resemble the natural gas pipelines that are currently
in use, but with new modifications like better duct materials to prevent hydrogen leakage,
alternative working pressures, and higher flow rates to overcome gaseous hydrogen's lower
energy content. It is envisaged in the hydrogen economy that from the production plants and
storage units, liquid hydrogen will be transported and distributed to consumers by means of
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supertankers, while gaseous hydrogen will be transported and distributed through underground
pipelines (Sherif et al., 2005).
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The transition to widespread hydrogen use is occurring gradually and will eventually be a
successful concept.
Based on the goal of hydrogen economies, the benefits of hydrogen far outweigh the cons.
Hydrogen has a great potential to become the ideal solution for the future of our energy
requirements, but this will require massive investments and political decisions. However, as
fossil fuels become scarce, hydrogen could be the best solution for our global energy needs.
8.0 CONCLUSION
Hydrogen offers a major potential to solve the energy landscape’s biggest challenge, which is to
decarbonize heat. Ongoing research shows that hydrogen is the leading choice for decarbonizing
heat without jeopardizing the safety of the general public. However, in order to produce
hydrogen on a large scale, government policy measures and targets will be required. At the
energy system level, hydrogen can facilitate a wider incorporation of renewable energy sources
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into the grid while transporting energy to all sectors without requiring the need for the creation of
costly extra grid capacity. Geological storage alternatives and the suitability of gas pipes for
transmitting hydrogen must be well evaluated for each region in order for hydrogen to be utilized
in the gas network. Such assessments would show the most economical methods of utilizing
hydrogen and what changes need to be made to the infrastructure. The buoyancy, permeability,
and flammability of hydrogen pose issues for its safe usage that are different from but not
invariably more difficult than the conventional energy sources. Hydrogen as a fuel merits more
attention from governments, academia, and industries in order to mutually appraise its place
within the future energy system and continue taking the necessary steps to demonstrate its
overall benefits. Decarbonization of global economies is crucially needed to reduce climate
change. A massive and concerted effort is required to drive such a significant transformation
across the energy systems. Government stakeholders have to ensure that the decisions made
today do not inflict the energy systems with sub-optimal technologies in the future. Hydrogen's
synergies with other low-carbon alternatives have the potential to minimize long-term costs
while generating thousands of green jobs. Being able to produce hydrogen on a large scale from
readily available renewable energy sources such as water shows that hydrogen will indeed be
very sustainable as a reliable fuel. The absence of pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions from
the production, storage, transportation, and end use or utilization of hydrogen proves how green
hydrogen will be if employed globally.
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