In the clean energy industry, hydrogen (a colorless gas) has been given colorful names, such as green, blue, grey, brown, yellow, purple, and turquoise. Hydrogen is now being discussed in climate change debates for difficult-to-decarbonize industries such as transportation, aircraft, and as an electricity storage medium. Countries all across the globe are desperate to decarbonize the earth by 2050, and green hydrogen systems can play a significant role in achieving this target.

Present Scenario

The manufacturing of hydrogen now accounts for more than 2% of total world carbon dioxide emissions. Thus, green hydrogen has lately received much attention as a clean energy source to realize the hydrogen’s long-standing promise. Green H2 is gaining popularity among large oil and gas companies. Before we read further, let us first explore what hydrogen is.

Source

Green H2 or greenish-colored hydrogen is nothing but a form of hydrogen element, which is more clean and sustainable. Hydrogen is the most abundant chemical element on the earth. It makes up almost 75% of all matter. Hydrogen has long been employed in the chemical industry, metallurgy, and as a fuel. This most prevalent element cannot be obtained directly from nature and must be synthesized. This manufacturing procedure determines the colors of the hydrogen and regulates whether the hydrogen is environmentally friendly or not. And that’s how green H2 also gains its color. Let’s now understand the advantages and disadvantages of green hydrogen.

Advantages of Green H2

Green hydrogen is adaptable since it may be converted into a synthetic gas or energy. It has commercial, household, mobility, and industrial applications. Because hydrogen is so light, it is also incredibly easy to store. Green H2 also has the benefit of being able to be stored in liquid or gaseous form utilizing fuel cell technology. As opposed to conventional hydrogen generation, green H2 reduces carbon dioxide emissions.

Disadvantages of Green H2

Green hydrogen is costly to manufacture. It takes more energy to make hydrogen, especially green hydrogen, than any other fuel produced by electrolysis. Furthermore, rigorous safety procedures must be adopted to avoid explosions or leaking because hydrogen is exceedingly volatile and explosive. As a result, hydrogen is difficult to store and move. The low density of hydrogen, whether liquid or gaseous, leads to a low energy density. Evidence says that hydrogen, in its pure state, is not a suitable energy carrier. Critics argue that green H2 as a fuel source is not ideal for combating climate change because it is inefficient and frequently produced with carbon-emitting processes.

Future of Green H2 Systems

Green hydrogen systems can be a crucial facilitator of the worldwide transition to sustainable energy and zero-emission economies. With an EU-wide green H2 strategy, Europe intends to make hydrogen a major component of its trillion-dollar Green Deal package. The enormous reserves of hydrogen make it an appealing choice despite the rising need for renewables to fulfill declared decarbonization objectives. Green H2 may become more significant in crafting a greener future as technology advances and manufacturing prices fall.

Also Read: Hydrogen Energy: Advantages And Disadvantages