Hydrogen is the most abundant chemical element in nature. As noted by the IEA, the global demand for hydrogen for use as a fuel has tripled since 1975 and reached 70 million tonnes a year in 2018. In addition, it is a clean energy source that only emits water vapour and leaves no residue in the air, unlike coal and oil.
Hydrogen has therefore been used to fuel cars, airships and spaceships since the beginning of the 19th century.
Decarbonization is the most important goal to reach nowadays and Green Hydrogen will become the fuel of the future if, as the World Hydrogen Council predicted, its costs will fall by 50% by 2030.
How can Green Hydrogen be used? Here are some of the most important functions of this ecological fuel:
Electricity and drinking water generator
These two elements are obtained by reacting hydrogen and oxygen together in a fuel cell. This process has proved very useful on space missions, for example, by providing crews with water and electricity in a sustainable manner.
Energy storage
Compressed hydrogen tanks are capable of storing energy for long periods of time and are also easier to handle than lithium-ion batteries because they are lighter.
Transport and mobility
Hydrogen's great versatility allows it to be used in those consumption niches that are very difficult to decarbonize, such as heavy transport, aviation and maritime transport. There are already several projects under way in this area, such as Hycarus and Cryoplane, which are promoted by the European Union (EU) and aim to introduce it in passenger aircraft.