What are 3 real world uses of hydrogen?
Hydrogen Uses
Three practical applications of hydrogen are listed below, along with information on their potential for expansion, use cases, and supporting data.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles:
Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) powered by hydrogen are a substitute for traditional gasoline or diesel automobiles. Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) use hydrogen to produce electricity, which powers the electric motor in the vehicle. These cars provide zero-emission mobility and can be utilized for commercial fleets, personal transportation, and public transportation.
- Growth Opportunities: One major source of greenhouse gas emissions is the transportation industry. Due to their zero tailpipe emissions, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) present a viable way to reduce carbon emissions. In the upcoming years, a large growth in the global market for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is anticipated.
- Use Cases: Electric motors are powered by hydrogen-fueled fuel cells (FCVs), which use a chemical reaction to produce energy. In comparison to battery-electric vehicles, these cars can travel farther between charges and can be refueled fast. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) that are sold commercially include the Hyundai Nexo and Toyota Mirai.
- Statistics: More than 10,000 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) were in use worldwide as of 2021. In terms of FCV adoption, Japan is leading the way, followed by the US, Korea, and Germany. Governments and automakers are also making significant investments in hydrogen infrastructure and vehicle development, which shows a strong commitment to the expansion of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs).
Hydrogen Industrial Applications:
In many different industrial processes, hydrogen is a common ingredient. Here are a few particular instances:
- Ammonia Production: Ammonia is mostly utilized in fertilizer manufacturing and is produced by the Haber-Bosch process, which uses hydrogen to mix nitrogen and hydrogen.
- Refineries: Refineries use hydrogen to purge petroleum-based products like gasoline and diesel of contaminants.
- Chemical Industry: A vital component in the synthesis of methanol, a feedstock for numerous chemicals and fuels, is hydrogen. Other compounds, such as hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide, are also produced using it.
- Growth Opportunities: With its many industrial uses, hydrogen is predicted to become more and more in demand as a result of decarbonization initiatives. For example, hydrogen is utilized in the chemical industry to produce methanol, ammonia, and other compounds. According to a McKinsey report, the worldwide hydrogen industry is expected to increase at an annual pace of 5-8%, reaching $300 billion by 2030.
- Use Cases: An essential raw material for the synthesis of ammonia, which is mostly utilized to make fertilizers, is hydrogen. Hydrogen is also utilized in the processing of metal, glass, electronics, and food items. It is also employed in oil refining.
- Statistics: The industrial sector supplied over 60% of the world's hydrogen needs as of 2021. Almost half of the hydrogen available worldwide is used in the manufacturing of ammonia alone.
Hydrogen - Renewable Energy Storage:
Overproduction of renewable energy is stored in hydrogen. The procedure entails using electrolysis to transform excess electricity from renewable energy sources, including solar or wind power, into hydrogen. Hydrogen created can be stored and used for a variety of purposes in the future.
- Power Generation:During times when the production of renewable energy is limited, hydrogen can be used in turbines or transformed back into electricity using fuel cells.
- Heating: It is possible to use hydrogen as a fuel for home as well as commercial heating purposes.
- Transportation: Vehicles driven by hydrogen, such as cars, lorries, buses, and even trains, can run on hydrogen as fuel.
- Growth Opportunities: The grid needs effective energy storage options since renewable energy sources like solar and wind power are sporadic. Abundant renewable energy can be stored and utilized through the use of hydrogen as an energy storage medium. In 2021, the global market for green hydrogen is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 30%, as per a report published by Global Market Insights.
- Use Cases: Electrolysis can be used to create hydrogen from surplus electricity produced by renewable sources. When the production of renewable energy is low, the created hydrogen can be stored and used as a fuel for heating, power generating, or transportation. As a result, a more sustainable energy system is created and numerous sectors benefit from decarbonization.
- Statistics: Over 500 MW of power-to-hydrogen projects were installed globally as of 2021, with a large amount of those projects being used for renewable energy storage. Germany, Australia, and the Netherlands are among the nations that have spearheaded the implementation of extensive power-to-hydrogen initiatives.
These illustrations show the variety of applications and growth prospects for hydrogen, from transportation to industry and renewable energy storage. In the upcoming years, the demand for hydrogen is anticipated to be driven by the growing emphasis on decarbonization and the switch to sustainable energy sources.
