Currently, the world is thirsty for clean and renewable energy solutions. But is there an option that promises to mitigate climate change, decarbonize transportation, and pave the way for a greener future? Yes. Green hydrogen is emerging as a beacon of hope that has the potential to revolutionize industries.
So buckle up and prepare to be amazed as we dive deep into the transformative potential, the innovative applications, and the immense impact this hydrogen might have on the generations to come.
What is Green Hydrogen? How is It Made?
Green hydrogen is the cleanest form of hydrogen and is produced by an electrolysis process using renewable energy sources such as solar or wind. An electrical current is employed to break down the water molecule into oxygen and hydrogen by utilizing electrodes, a process called electrolysis. This method of generating power produces energy with no CO2 emissions.
Grey vs. Blue Vs. Green Hydrogen
Steam reforming, a process for producing hydrogen, is the least environmentally friendly and carbon-intensive process that is known as “grey” hydrogen.
New technologies, like carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS), capture CO2 from steam reforming, resulting in “blue” hydrogen, which is eco-friendlier.
Lastly, ‘green’ hydrogen, produced through electrolysis powered by renewable energy, is the cleanest of them and emits no CO2 during production.
The high cost is a major drawback for green hydrogen. However, research by the International Energy Agency (IEA) has seen that the cost of making this hydrogen using renewable electricity could drop 30% by the year 2030, as the price of renewables decreases and the generation of this gas increases in scale and efficiency.
The Hydrogen Council, a global initiative known for its work in growing the hydrogen economy, expects the prices of hydrogen solutions to decrease by almost 50% in the following ten years, making hydrogen a feasible competitor to both other low-carbon fuels and traditional alternatives.
What Are the Economic and Environmental Benefits of Transitioning to Green Hydrogen?
Various companies are leveraging the potential of green hydrogen to advance their businesses. This clean fuel has tremendously revolutionized the transportation and vehicle manufacturing industry. Here are the top 5 companies with their eco-friendly novel innovations:
1. KEYOU: H2 Combustion Engine
KEYOU is a green hydrogen startup and has developed the H2 combustion engine, which converts standard diesel engines into hydrogen engines that have zero emissions by combining efficient injection, turbocharging, exhaust gas recirculation, and a unique hydrogen catalytic converter. And this was achieved with just a few changes to the existing engine.
This unique H2 combustion engine features an H2 ignition system and an H2 fuel system that is optimized with exhaust gas recirculation and a turbocharging system to deliver an engine output of >200 kW across a range of more than 500 km. The engine incorporates KEYOU-inside technology and can be employed in new commercial vehicles by reengineering the existing vehicle engine to run on hydrogen using hydrogen combustion.
KEYOU succeeds where other factories have so far failed by raising the relationship between efficiency and energy density to a completely new level.
2. Hydra Energy: Hydrogen-as-a-Service (HaaS™)
Hydra is the first green hydrogen startup that provides commercial hydrogen-diesel co-combustion trucks. Hydra provides HaaS™ technology by retrofitting existing semi-trucks and combining existing low-carbon hydrogen supply and demand. A hydrogen injection manifold is put next to the air intake to blend hydrogen and air, and a secondary controller is built beneath the dashboard to manage hydrogen flow.
Even with the heaviest workloads and temperatures, Hydra Energy’s hydrogen-converted heavy-duty vehicles can go up to 1,000 km/day while consuming only 24 kg of hydrogen, with 40% diesel displacement by energy.
Hydra has built the Hydrogen ECU (Engine Control Unit), and the tank rack is custom-made for each vehicle model. Fleet operators can simply convert semi-trucks using Hydra’s breakthrough hydrogen-diesel co-combustion injection technology in exchange for long-term fuel contracts to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy and vehicle performance irrespective of payload or weather.
3. HyPoint: Turbo-Air Cooled HTPEM Hydrogen Fuel Cell System
Another forerunner in green hydrogen manufacturing, Hypoint, has launched next-gen hydrogen fuel cell technology with a high energy density of >1,500 Wh/kg and high specific power of >2,000 W/kg for diverse air mobility applications, such as drones, airplanes, and air taxis. Its unique ‘Turbo-Air Cooled Technology’ replaces a low-temperature membrane (LTPEM) with a next-generation high-temperature membrane (HTPEM), enhancing cooling system efficiency by at least 300%. The unique method of cooling hydrogen fuel cells used by HyPoint provides 7.5 times more energy density and six times faster refilling than previous hydrogen fuel cell systems. When these steps are paired with turbo compressors, the system’s available power is increased by 70%.
Its clever catalyst system and lightweight bipolar plate facilitate power output while reducing weight, making it superior for manifold air taxis, eVTOLs, drones, and fixed-wing planes.
4. PowerUP Energy Technologies: Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Technology
PowerUP’s PEM technology is heavily reliant on fuel cells. It runs on pure hydrogen gas and has its own extremely active bio-based and CO2-derived nanocatalyst.
PowerUP creates a large surface area and exceptionally porous nanocarbon supports from industrial biowaste and CO2, which are then enhanced with metal nanoparticles. It is spill-resistant and shockproof due to the inner box structure. Moreover, on account of its one-of-a-kind electronic block, the generator can be converted into a smart grid system.
Powerup offers hydrogen fuel cells powered smart generators with charging capacities and variable power outputs. UP200, UP400, UP1K, UP6K, and Pressure regulators are some innovative products expanding the company’s portfolio.
5. HiiROC: Thermal Plasma Electrolysis
Presently, green hydrogen is widely produced using water electrolysis and steam methane reforming (SMR). HiiROC utilizes its innovative plasma torch technology for the thermal plasma electrolysis production of hydrogen using flare gas, biomethane, and natural gas.
HiiROC’s unique technology converts a molecule into carbon and hydrogen ions, resulting in plasma. This novel technology allows for low-cost, zero-emission hydrogen synthesis. The electrolysis process separates hydrogen from carbon in hydrocarbons. It is cost-efficient, compact, flexible, and scalable. Additionally, it produces more hydrogen per kWh of electricity than traditional methods, and its modular design allows for the combination of several units to support both local and industrial production.
Is Green Hydrogen the Future of Fuel?
The future of green hydrogen holds tremendous potential for revolutionizing our energy systems and reducing carbon emissions. With its ability to provide sustainable and clean energy, this hydrogen is poised to play a crucial role in the transition to a carbon-neutral future.
Investments in research and development are continuously increasing, and ongoing advancements in technologies and infrastructure will enable its widespread adoption across different sectors, including transportation, industry, and power generation. The future of this clean fuel is bright, and it offers a promising pathway towards a more sustainable and resilient global energy landscape.
