Green Hydrogen: Potential and Challenges Ahead

Green Hydrogen is the name widely given to hydrogen produced by electrolysis - the process of using electricity to split water into its constituent components of hydrogen and oxygen. If the input electricity is renewable, then the resulting hydrogen has a low carbon footprint.

Electrolyzer Technologies for producing Green Hydrogen

There are various types of electrolyzer, but the key component of all technologies is the ‘stack.’ This device consists of a series of electrochemical cells that use catalysis to split the water and a material that is conductive to ions (but not electrons). The stack is then supplied with ultra-pure water (requiring a water purification module) and DC electricity (requiring a transformer and rectifier), and outputs oxygen, hydrogen and heat.

Heat exchangers and radiators extract heat, while equipment purifies hydrogen (removing water and oxygen) and usually vents oxygen.

Electrolyzer technologies have the following advantages and disadvantages:

With this in mind, the following technology is most suited to the following markets:

Future of Hydrogen as a Transport Fuel

For over a decade, vehicle companies have been developing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and funding has been in place from a variety of public bodies for the rollout of Hydrogen Refuelling Stations (HRS),…