Hydrogen has been called the energy of the future, helping to power cars, homes, businesses, and even entire cities. In this article, we take a look at what hydrogen is and how it can be used to provide energy.
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Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. In fact, it makes up almost all of the stars and three-quarters of the Sun. On Earth, hydrogen typically occurs naturally in compound form with other elements, like in water (H2O) and natural gas (CH4).
To use it as fuel, we need to separate it from other elements, something that can be done using different methods, like passing electricity through water or using heat and steam to break up methane, a planet-warming greenhouse gas. Today, our primary source of hydrogen comes from fossil fuels, through processes that use steam and oxygen to break them up into gases.
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When used as fuel, hydrogen creates only water – it does not produce carbon dioxide (CO2) or other greenhouse gases. It is therefore a clean fuel that is abundant, renewable, and dense in energy. In fact, burning it yields three times more energy than natural gas.
Hydrogen is used in rockets as fuel, and many think it can also replace oil and gas in our road vehicles. At present, there are a few hydrogen cars on the market, such as the Toyota Mirai, with similar characteristics to an electric vehicle, though there are still a few key differences. Instead of a battery, the car is powered by a fuel cell that turns hydrogen gas into electricity, producing only water vapour as a by-product.
While hydrogen itself is a clean fuel, the process of extracting it is, at present, not climate-friendly and very energy-intensive. Depending on the method and technology used, extracting it may use more energy than it provides as a fuel. Production of hydrogen from coal and natural gas also releases CO2.
To add to the problem, the fossil fuel industry is using hydrogen as an excuse to keep drilling for more fossil fuels while portraying themselves as allies in the fight against climate change.
Maybe! While hydrogen has the potential to be a clean and sustainable fuel, we need to explore more efficient ways of producing it. Many countries like Japan, Germany, and Australia are already looking to scale it up, spending heavily on research and development.
As technology improves, the energy footprint of hydrogen will likely decrease, helping us realize its full potential. Using it alongside other renewable sources can help us build a cleaner and brighter future.
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Jenny is a writer and editor in the field of education. She is an aspiring environmentalist who hopes to inspire young learners to care for the planet – one article at a time!
