The Significance of Green Hydrogen as a Clean Energy Alternative

66

Green hydrogen is increasingly recognized globally as a viable clean energy resource capable of decarbonizing high-emission sectors like transportation and industrial manufacturing.

Earlier this year, the International Solar Alliance, led by India, inaugurated the Green Hydrogen Innovation Centre. India has also allocated $2.3 billion to encourage the production, utilization, and exportation of green hydrogen. The topic of global collaboration on green hydrogen production and distribution is set to be a central discussion point among G-20 leaders during their summit in New Delhi this week.

Understanding Green Hydrogen

Hydrogen is extracted by isolating it from other elements in molecules that contain hydrogen. A classic example is water, chemically represented as H2O, which comprises two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Electrolysis can be employed to separate these components.

Hydrogen has been produced at a commercial scale for over a hundred years, primarily for creating fertilizers, plastics, and for oil refining. Traditionally, its production has heavily relied on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas. However, when renewable energy sources power this production, the hydrogen obtained is termed as ‘green hydrogen.’

Applications of Green Hydrogen

Green hydrogen has a diverse range of applications across various industries. It can be utilized in steel production, concrete manufacturing, and the chemical and fertilizer industries. Besides, it offers potential for electricity generation, fuel for transport, and residential and commercial heating. Currently, hydrogen is predominantly used in oil refining and fertilizer production. While the need for petroleum refining will diminish in a fossil-free world, the emissions from fertilizer production can be mitigated through the use of green hydrogen.

Francisco Boshell, an energy analyst at the International Renewable Energy Agency, is optimistic about green hydrogen filling the gaps in the clean energy transition. It is particularly useful in sectors where battery storage of renewable energy, like solar and wind, is not practical—such as aviation and shipping.

Concerns and Limitations

While green hydrogen offers a wide range of applications, there are challenges. According to a report by the Energy Transitions Commission, hydrogen’s highly flammable nature and transportation challenges limit its use in decentralized applications like residential heating. The report also highlights that converting renewables to hydrogen and then back to power is less efficient than direct electrification.

Other concerns include the high production cost, investment risks, the increased demand for water, and the absence of international standards that hinder the formation of a global market.

Future Prospects

Analysts project that the global market for green hydrogen will swell to $410 billion by 2030, more than doubling its current size. However, its sustainability and scalability remain subjects of debate. Critics argue that its ‘green’ label is conditional upon the source of energy used for its production.

Francisco Boshell counters this skepticism. According to his organization, hydrogen demand will skyrocket to 550 million tons by 2050, up from the current 100 million tons. Replacing the existing gray hydrogen—hydrogen produced using fossil fuels—will guarantee a sustainable market for green hydrogen in the long run.

In summary, while green hydrogen presents a compelling alternative for a cleaner future, its practical applications and limitations still require considerable investigation and debate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Green Hydrogen

More about Green Hydrogen

• International Solar Alliance’s Green Hydrogen Innovation Centre
• Energy Transitions Commission Report on Green Hydrogen
• International Renewable Energy Agency’s Outlook on Hydrogen
• G-20 Summit Topics on Clean Energy
• Analyst Projections on Green Hydrogen Market
• Comparison between Green and Gray Hydrogen
• Challenges in Green Hydrogen Production
• Sustainability of Green Hydrogen