Don’t forget about Fuel Cells
The following article has been reproduced in part. fuel cells for propulsion is a proven technology and there are four auto manufacturers in that game (Unfortunately none of them USA). The main barrier has been the cost of producing hydrogen. We have an unlimited supply and eventually, the cost issue will be resolved. Unfortunately, about 90% of the research is going into Evs. Fuel cells are significantly more environmentally friendly and do not draw power from the grid.
Why Hydrogen May Still Be the Fuel of the Future
Updated on August 3, 2023
Hydrogen has long been noted as a potential fuel for the future. One that will eliminate the need for fossil fuels to power internal combustion engines (ICE) by offering a clean burning alternative that is easily accessible. Interestingly, this future is becoming more likely as scientists are now discovering new sources of hydrogen around the world. Some through natural excretions from the Earth and some through the introduction of enzymes into capped wells.
What is Hydrogen?
Hydrogen is the simplest and most abundant element in the universe. It is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas under standard conditions. Hydrogen has a single electron and proton, making it the lightest element.
Hydrogen is highly reactive due to the configuration of its electrons. It has one electron in its outermost shell, while it needs two to achieve a stable configuration similar to the noble gas helium. This makes hydrogen eager to form bonds with other elements to fill its outer shell. It readily forms a bond with elements that need an electron to complete their own outer shells, such as oxygen in the formation of water (H2O), or with another hydrogen atom to form a hydrogen molecule (H2). This propensity to form bonds with other elements to achieve a stable electron configuration is what makes hydrogen so reactive.
Hydrogen is commonly used in various industries, including the energy sector, where it’s seen as a potential clean fuel source because when it’s used to produce energy in a fuel cell, it emits only water as a byproduct.
How is it Used as Fuel?
Hydrogen can be used as a fuel in several ways:
- Fuel Cells: In a fuel cell, hydrogen and oxygen are combined to produce electricity, with water and heat as the only byproducts. This process is clean and efficient. Fuel cells can be used in a range of applications, from powering buildings to electric vehicles.
- Internal Combustion Engines: Hydrogen can be used in an internal combustion engine in much the same way as gasoline or diesel. However, this is less common and typically less efficient than using hydrogen in fuel cells.
- Power Generation: Hydrogen can be burned in a turbine to generate electricity, similar to natural gas turbines.
- Energy Storage: Hydrogen can act as an energy storage medium. Excess renewable energy (like wind or solar power) can be used to produce hydrogen through electrolysis. This hydrogen can then be stored and used later when energy demand is high or renewable energy production is low.
The main advantage of using hydrogen as a fuel is that it only produces water when burned or used in a fuel cell, making it a clean energy source that doesn’t contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
Why is Hydrogen as a Fuel Important?
The shift to using hydrogen as a fuel is important for several reasons:
- Environmental Impact: Hydrogen, when used as a fuel in fuel cells, produces only water as a byproduct, making it a clean energy source. This can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help mitigate climate change.
- Energy Security: Hydrogen can be produced from a variety of resources, including water, natural gas, and biomass. This diversification of energy sources can increase energy security and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
- Versatility: Hydrogen can be used in a wide range of applications, from powering vehicles to heating homes and generating electricity. This versatility makes it a potentially important part of a sustainable energy future.
However, there are also challenges associated with using hydrogen as a fuel, including production processes that are traditionally quite energy-intensive. Things that must also be considered include storage and transportation difficulties, and the need for significant infrastructure development. Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of hydrogen make it an important area of focus in the transition to a more sustainable energy system.
Hydrogen Sources
As we have already established, hydrogen’s atomic structure makes it particularly reactive. This characteristic has long led us to believe that pure hydrogen is hard to find in nature, resulting in a reliance on techniques like electrolysis to generate a supply. However, there have been various developments over the past couple of years that indicate this line of thinking may be wrong.
Oil Well Enzymes
Humans have been drilling for oil since the mid-19th century. As a result of this activity, there are countless abandoned and depleted wells around the world. Interestingly, scientists have discovered that, while the wells may be depleted of their oil, there remains an opportunity now to withdraw a more sustainable fuel from their depths – Hydrogen.
This is being made possible by companies like Cemvita Factor, which are developing specialized enzymes that, when introduced to depleted wells, work to break down lingering hydrocarbons into various components, with hydrogen being one of them. The company refers to hydrogen generated from this process as ‘Gold Hydrogen‘.
Natural Hydrogen Reserves
While introducing enzymes to depleted wells is a fantastic approach to revitalizing an existing resource, is it the only means of generating a supply? Interestingly, there have been multiple discoveries in recent years of massive, naturally forming, pockets of hydrogen gas. A few countries in which such examples have been found include,
- Australia
- Canada
- France
- Germany
- Japan
- Russia
- New Zealand
Despite these occurrences, scientists are still learning about the process of where the hydrogen is coming from, the vastness of reserves, and the potential effect on surrounding environments if withdrawn. Regardless, the potential for these deposits to accelerate the widespread adoption of hydrogen as a fuel source is huge.
Final Word
Overall, hydrogen remains a tantalizing alternative/replacement for our continued reliance on fossil fuels. Thankfully, due to the ingenuity on offer by scientists around the world, we may soon have access to more affordable and plentiful supplies of hydrogen through both natural and treated wells. With this being the case, there will be a subsequent decrease in the cost of production for hydrogen, making it an even more appealing fuel for companies like Cummins and Plug Power to develop solutions around.