Hydrogen as an Energy Source

• A combination of renewable energy with energy-efficient

technologies should allow decreasing greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions and local air pollution
• Hydrogen (H2) is an energy vector, which can be used to
convert, store and release energy; and becoming an interest
as a long-term storage option for surplus electricity
• Hydrogen is mostly used in various industrial applications,
such as refining, steel-, ammonia- and methanol production
• In 2020 the overall demand was ~ 90 Mt; from which over 70
Mt were utilized as pure H2 and 20 Mt were combined with
other gases for methanol and steel production
Hydrogen is the smallest and lightest atom. Hydrogen was used
• Until now, hydrogen was mostly produced using the cheapest as energy source for the
production processes without consideration of the impact on Space Shuttle. Graphic/Photo: NASA.
the environment
• Overall, around 900 Mt of CO2 emissions per year are
released into the atmosphere by worldwide H2 production
• To differ various ways of hydrogen production depending on
the primary energy sources, different colors are used 1
Hydrogen production approaches

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Principle of alkaline electrolysis

• Process of using electricity to split water into hydrogen

and oxygen
• Water electrolysis requires potential difference is 1.5 volts
along with external heat
• Hydrogen: Cathode (reduction)
• Oxygen: Anode (oxidation)

Half-reactions:

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 Methanation
Methanation of Hydrogen
The Sabatier process, named after the French chemist Paul Sabatier, converts hydrogen, and carbon dioxide
into methane:
4H2 (hydrogen) + CO2 (carbon dioxide) → CH4 (methane) + 2H2O (water)

A catalyst based on nickel or ruthenium is required. During the reaction, heat is released,which can be utilized.

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Generation, storage, and re-conversion to electricity of renewable methane
Transport and Storage of Hydrogen

Experience from the natural gas sector can be used for storing and
transporting hydrogen.
Left: LNG tanker. Right: Pipeline. Source: BP, www.bp.com.

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 Colors of hydrogen
Grey hydrogen

Blue hydrogen

Turquoise hydrogen

Green hydrogen

Pink hydrogen

Yellow hydrogen

Black hydrogen – Coal derived

Brown hydrogen – Lignite derived
White hydrogen - naturally occurring form of hydrogen found in the Earth's crust 6
Summary of H2 production pathways and colors

SMR – Steam Methane Reforming

CCS – Carbon capture and storage
CCU – Carbon capture and utilization
CCUS – Carbon capture, utilization and storage 7