Hydrogen Energy: Your 101 Guide to what it is and what it might mean for our energy future.
WHAT IS HYDROGEN?
Hydrogen is the main component of water - two parts hydrogen, one part oxygen. It is the most common chemical in the universe and can be produced as a gas or liquid. Hydrogen has many uses such as fuel for transport or heating, a way to store electricity, or a raw material in industrial processes.
GREY, BLUE, GREEN? WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT TYPES?
Hydrogen to be used in energy can be produced in a number of ways. Currently, the majority of the world’s hydrogen production is considered ‘grey’ hydrogen meaning is produced using fossil fuels and emits carbon dioxide in the process. ‘Blue’ hydrogen is made using natural gas but as opposed to ‘grey’ hydrogen, the carbon dioxide emissions are captured, making it cleaner than gray hydrogen, but neither are considered carbon neutral.
Carbon-free "green" hydrogen is made using electricity to split the hydrogen molecules from oxygen molecules in water. The most important factor in producing green hydrogen is generating enough electricity to separate the hydrogen from oxygen, using a cheap low-carbon electricity such as wind or solar energy. Two resources that Australia is very good at producing.
HOW IS GREEN HYDROGEN PRODUCED?
Green hydrogen in Australia is produced by first purifying the water input. The water is then split into its separate components, hydrogen and oxygen using a solar or wind-powered electrolyser. The extracted hydrogen is then converted into either ammonia or a synthetic natural gas ready for transport. The compressed hydrogen can then be either used within Australia or exported to other countries.
THE BENEFITS OF GREEN HYDROGEN
Green hydrogen can be produced using greywater, the run-off water from sinks, washing machines and showers, rather than having to rely on our fresh water supply. The other exciting feature of green hydrogen is the byproduct. Following the combustion of green hydrogen, the byproduct is not carbon dioxide, but rather water, which makes green hydrogen a completely regenerative resource.
Once green hydrogen has been produced, it can be stored as a gas and be delivered through existing natural gas pipelines. When converted to a liquid or another suitable material, hydrogen can also be transported on trucks and in ships. This means hydrogen can also be exported overseas, effectively making it a tradable energy commodity.
Hydrogen represents a number of exciting future energy opportunities for Australia. According to a report produced for the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, the estimated global demand for Australian hydrogen is predicted to be over three million tonnes each year by 2040, which could be worth up to $10 billion each year to the economy by that time.
WHERE TO FROM HERE?
National Energy Resources Australia (NERA) is responsible for developing the network that will foster a multi-billion dollar, globally competitive hydrogen industry in Australia. They have recently announced the rollout of 13 Hydrogen clusters across the country. These clusters will operate as a virtual network and aid the development of the hydrogen supply chain, reduce overlaps and identify gaps in the development, deployment, and commercialisation of new hydrogen-focussed technologies.