01 How It Works
Hydrogen is produced via: (1) Steam Methane Reforming (grey Hโ - most common but emits COโ), (2) SMR + CCS (blue Hโ), or (3) Electrolysis powered by renewables (green Hโ - zero emissions). In fuel cells, hydrogen reacts electrochemically with oxygen to produce electricity, water, and heat - with no combustion. Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) use this process.
02 Pros & Cons
โ Advantages
- Zero emissions at point of use
- Energy storage potential
- High energy by weight
- Decarbonizes hard sectors
โ ๏ธ Disadvantages
- Storage/transport difficult
- Low round-trip efficiency
- Currently mostly "grey"
- Infrastructure investment needed
03 Future Outlook
Green hydrogen is expected to be cost-competitive with fossil fuels by the early 2030s in high-sun/wind regions. Key applications include industrial feedstock (replacing grey hydrogen), steel production, shipping, aviation, and seasonal energy storage. The EU's Hydrogen Strategy and large-scale projects from Australia, Chile, and Morocco are accelerating the transition.
04 Fun Fact
The first hydrogen fuel cell was invented by William Grove in 1839: before the internal combustion engine.