Clean Hydrogen
The Hydrogen Solution
Hydrogen, a molecule that is incredibly abundant and limitless throughout the planet, has the potential to be the solution to the climate change problem; it can generate renewable energy without emitting emissions and finally wean society off the endless burning of coal and natural gas. Hand-in-hand with carbon capture efforts, utilizing hydrogen as an alternative energy source can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Hydrogen burns cleanly, a major consideration for the increased investment for hydrogen as the future’s fuel. Energy grids and other manufacturing industries propose using hydrogen as a clean fuel for their processes. Together with carbon capture technology, hydrogen can instead be harnessed as “blue” hydrogen, which is currently much less expensive to produce than “green” hydrogen.
Circularity is engaging in further research on the application of hydrogen as a renewable energy source. Present studies imply that there are dangers to hydrogen leaking into the stratosphere and reacting to form methane (a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide), further perpetuating climate change.
Nonetheless, sufficient research, support for technological innovations, and exploration of hydrogen leakage and measure protocol can propel the hydrogen solution for mainstream application. The green hydrogen industry is predicted to sit at a market value of a multitrillion-dollar industry by the year 2050, giving investors many more reasons to get involved now.
Direct Air Capture and Blue Hydrogen
Whilst a colorless gas, hydrogen began to earn colored labels based on how it was produced. Carbon capture advocates are looking toward utilizing hydrogen as a fuel. The hydrogen derived from natural gas and produced with the use of carbon capture technology is named “blue hydrogen”.
Blue hydrogen is far from carbon-negative. However, it does make better use of the leftover carbon gases than gray, brown and other variations of hydrogen. Experts believe that blue hydrogen shall act as the bridge that will allow the energy industry to eventually reach the point of mass green hydrogen production. With green hydrogen, zero carbon emissions are emitted into the atmosphere.
Decarbonization and Green Hydrogen
Wind and solar power are effective and 100% carbon-free energy sources that can power up an entire city or province. Some experts claim that these are the only true sources of green energy. The hydrogen industry, however, begs to differ. While windmills and solar panels are absent from carbon dioxide emissions, they do not address the looming problem of greenhouse gases trapped within the atmosphere.
Green hydrogen is a hydrogen molecule obtained cleanly and without emissions, often with the use of clean electricity generated by wind or solar power. There are various methods to produce green hydrogen and the most usual is through electrolysis. Under an electric current, water is separated into hydrogen and oxygen molecules.
The proactive use of carbon capture technology, together with the growing investment in clean hydrogen, holds immense potential in presenting the future generation with a clean and guilt-free fuel resource. Blue hydrogen produced in synergy with carbon capture technology will be a foundation for the eventual adoption and application of green hydrogen in everyday use.
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