Hydrogen Energy

In the race for sustainable and eco-friendly transportation vehicles, there are many proposals, including those solely based on electric power and those using hydrogen instead of fossil fuels. While the electric proposal is the most popular suggestion (largely due to the ease of adapting many countries' automotive infrastructures to electric refueling stations instead of hydrogen tanks), this structural issue can be solved with a long-term investment that will pay off in the future.

Hydrogen fuel cells use hydrogen as fuel in an electrochemical process that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity and water. The reverse electrolysis process that produces "green" hydrogen and oxygen from water can utilize a variety of renewable energy sources (such as wind, wave, solar) to produce hydrogen for renewable energy production. Interest in hydrogen energy is also increasing as a unique clean energy source that can produce heat and has only water as a byproduct.

Electrolysis (a high-energy process) and green hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources constitute a costly option, accounting for only about 5% of total H2 production. Currently, the vast majority of global hydrogen production comes from fossil fuel sources (methane gas reforming) and will continue to do so for several decades. However, as the production capacity of more efficient and cost-effective electrolyzers increases, it is expected that production costs will significantly decrease with the maturation and widespread adoption of renewable energy production technologies and capacities.

Debates continue regarding the advantages and disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells, but despite current limitations, hydrogen remains an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. With hydrogen fuel cell technology, it is possible to provide flexible and high-density power and propulsion for a wide range of industrial facilities and transportation modes.

What Are the Advantages of Hydrogen Fuel Cells?

• Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and, despite challenges associated with its extraction from water, it is renewable and easily utilizable.

• It is a clean and versatile energy source that supports zero-carbon energy strategies. It has no negative impact on the environment during operation, and unlike biofuels or hydroelectric energy, it does not require vast areas for hydrogen production.

• It is more powerful and energy-efficient than fossil fuels.

• It has high efficiency compared to other energy sources, including many green energy solutions.

• It causes almost zero emissions, thus reducing the carbon footprint.

• Hydrogen fuel cell power unit charging times are extremely fast, comparable to those of traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, and as such, they allow for significantly shorter charging times compared to battery-powered electric vehicles. While electric vehicles require 30 minutes to several hours to charge, hydrogen fuel cells can be charged in less than 5 minutes. This rapid charging time means that hydrogen-powered vehicles provide the same flexibility as traditional cars.

• Hydrogen fuel cells offer higher efficiency in terms of usage duration. A hydrogen vehicle has the same range as fossil fuel-powered vehicles. This is superior to what is currently offered by battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs), which are increasingly being developed with fuel cell power units as "range extenders" Hydrogen fuel cells are also significantly less affected by external temperatures and do not deteriorate in cold weather, unlike EVs.

• Where local conditions permit, the availability of hydrogen through local production and storage can serve as an alternative to diesel-based power and heating in remote areas. This will not only reduce the need for fuel transportation but also improve the lives of people in remote areas by providing a non-polluting fuel obtained from a readily available natural source.

• As technology advances, hydrogen fuel cells will be able to provide energy for a variety of stationary and mobile applications, equipment, and tools.

• Hydrogen fuel cells have the potential to reduce a nation's dependence on fossil fuels, thereby contributing to the democratization of energy and power sources worldwide. This will also help prevent the problem of increasing fossil fuel prices as stocks decline.

What Are the Disadvantages of Hydrogen Fuel Cells?

Despite all the advantages of hydrogen fuel cells, there are still several disadvantages and challenges that need to be addressed:

• Since hydrogen does not exist in its pure form in the universe, it needs to be extracted from water through electrolysis or separated from carbon fossil fuels. Both of these processes require significant amounts of energy, which can be more than the energy obtained from hydrogen itself, making it costly.

• It requires investment, technological development, and political will to develop and mature hydrogen fuel cell technology to the point where it becomes a truly viable energy source.

• Valuable metals such as platinum and iridium are typically required as catalysts in fuel cells and some water electrolyzers, which means that the initial cost of fuel cells (and electrolyzers) can be high.

• The cost of one unit of power obtained from hydrogen fuel cells is currently higher than from other energy sources, including solar panels. This cost may change as technology advances, but currently, it is a barrier to the widespread use of hydrogen despite its higher efficiency after production.

• Storage and transportation of hydrogen are more complex than for fossil fuels, which also entails additional costs.

• The widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell technology for automotive applications will require new fueling infrastructure to support it.

• Hydrogen is a highly flammable fuel source, which raises understandable safety concerns.

Current Status of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles

Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) market is experiencing significant growth. According to the International Energy Agency's (IEA) Global EV Outlook 2023 report, the total number of FCEVs increased by over 40% in 2022 compared to the previous year, reaching more than 72,000 vehicles.

Leading the way in this trend, South Korea, which hosted over two-thirds of the more than 15,000 fuel cell cars and more than half of the world's hydrogen-powered passenger vehicles, primarily consists of cars. The United States is the second-largest market for FCEVs, with over 15,000 vehicles, mostly cars, and just over 200 fuel cell buses. While the number of FCEVs in the US grew by over 20% in 2022, the growth rate in China saw a significant increase of around 60%, making China the third-largest country in terms of FCEV numbers.

China hosts over 95% of hydrogen-powered trucks worldwide and approximately 85% of the global fuel cell bus fleet. After focusing primarily on buses and trucks for several years, the country added its first 200 hydrogen-powered cars to the FCEV fleet in 2022. The Chinese government aims to reach 1 million hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2025, while Japan has set a target of 800,000 by 2030. The global market for hydrogen-powered vehicles is expected to reach $62.88 billion by 2032.

These trends demonstrate the increasing demand for hydrogen-powered vehicles and a strong momentum towards their widespread adoption in various countries. As governments and industries continue to invest in hydrogen infrastructure and technological advancements, the market for hydrogen-powered vehicles is poised for further expansion, offering promising opportunities for sustainable and zero-emission transportation in the future.

In conclusion, the advantages of hydrogen fuel cells as one of the best renewable energy sources are evident, but there are challenges to overcome to realize its full potential as a key resource for a decarbonized energy system in the future. Hydrogen fuel cells can provide a completely renewable and clean power source for both stationary and mobile applications in the near future. To achieve this, efforts are needed to scale up decarbonized hydrogen production and fuel cell manufacturing, develop the necessary regulatory framework to clearly define commercial distribution models, make further technological advancements to reduce storage and transportation costs, and invest more in supporting infrastructure.