Why Green Hydrogen Matters in the Energy Transition?

The world is in a critical fight against climate change, and the transition to clean energy has never been more urgent. Green hydrogen stands out as a transformative force among the many solutions being explored. But what is green hydrogen, and why does it matter so much in the energy transition?

Come let's dive into the topic,

Hydrogen is not a natural fuel source—it doesn’t exist freely in the earth’s crust. Instead, it must be produced using energy. One of the cleanest ways to produce hydrogen is through electrolysis, where water is split into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity. This process produces what we call "green hydrogen," a fuel source with no direct carbon emissions.

The most common renewable energy that is practically implemented in the market is Electric Vehicles (Source is solar). Researchers compare the efficiency between EVs and Green Hydrogen.

Practical Comparision

1. Electric Vehicle: When you charge an EV, some energy is lost during transportation and storage, but the overall efficiency is still around 80%. Charging infrastructure for EVs, such as charging stations, is rapidly expanding and becoming increasingly cost-effective.

   
   

2. Green Hydrogen: Renewable electricity is used to produce hydrogen through electrolysis, resulting in energy losses of 30 to 40%. The hydrogen must then be compressed, stored, and transported, which adds to the inefficiencies. Finally, hydrogen is converted back into electricity in a fuel cell to power the vehicle, with an additional energy loss of about 40%.

   
   

The cumulative losses make hydrogen-powered vehicles less efficient overall compared to EVs. However, they remain critical for sectors where batteries are impractical, such as long-haul trucking, shipping, and aviation.

Despite this less efficiency do you know why green hydrogen is important?

The answer lies in unique applications. While electricity is ideal for personal vehicles and household energy use, green hydrogen can tackle challenges in hard-to-electrify sectors, such as

• Steel and Cement Manufacturing: High-temperature industrial processes require energy-dense fuels like hydrogen to replace coal.

• Long-Distance Transport: In aviation, shipping, and heavy trucking, the weight and size of batteries make hydrogen an attractive alternative.

• Energy Storage: Hydrogen offers a solution for storing surplus renewable energy for use during periods of low sunlight or wind.

  
  

Where do we stand now?

The journey toward widespread adoption of green hydrogen has only just begun. In 2023, global production of green hydrogen was less than 100,000 tonnes, with the majority concentrated in China. Most hydrogen today is still produced using fossil fuels, which emit carbon in the process.

Looking forward, the world needs to scale up hydrogen production dramatically to meet climate goals. By 2050, experts project a requirement of 500 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually to support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Overcoming the Roadblocks?

The road to green hydrogen dominance is not without challenges:

1. High Production Costs: Electrolysis demands vast amounts of renewable electricity, which currently makes green hydrogen more expensive than hydrogen derived from fossil fuels.

   
   

2. Infrastructure Gaps: Transporting and storing hydrogen requires specialized pipelines, pressurized tanks, and other infrastructure that is underdeveloped and costly to implement.

   
   

3. Energy Losses: With every energy conversion step, losses accumulate. This reality underscores the importance of minimizing waste in hydrogen production and usage.

   
   

Why does Green Hydrogen Still Matter?

Despite these obstacles, green hydrogen is a cornerstone of the energy transition. It’s not about replacing electricity but complementing it. Green hydrogen’s ability to decarbonize heavy industry, store renewable energy, and power long-haul transport makes it indispensable.

Governments, businesses, and researchers around the globe are already investing in scaling up hydrogen technology. From renewable-powered electrolysis plants to innovative hydrogen storage solutions, these efforts are paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Green hydrogen may not yet be as efficient as direct electrification, but its ability to address the toughest decarbonization challenges—from heavy industry to long-haul transport—makes it indispensable. By investing in green hydrogen today, we are building the foundation for a sustainable and resilient energy future. Together, we can transform ambition into action and secure a greener tomorrow.