By: Eng.Rawan Murtada Jawad<br /><br /><br />INTRODUCTION<br />Green hydrogen is emerging as a crucial component in the<br />transition towards a sustainable energy future. Unlike gray<br />or blue hydrogen, which are derived from fossil fuels and<br />produce carbon emissions, green hydrogen is generated<br />through water electrolysis powered by renewable energy<br />sources such as solar and wind. This makes it a zero-emission<br />fuel that can play a pivotal role in decarbonizing various<br />sectors, particularly heavy industries and transportation.<br />As global economies move toward net-zero carbon<br />emissions, governments and industries are investing heavily<br />in green hydrogen as an alternative energy source. Its<br />versatility allows it to be used in industrial processes, power<br />generation, and as a fuel for various transportation modes,<br />making it a key enabler in the clean energy transition.<br />I<br />Methods of Green Hydrogen Production<br />A. Water Electrolysis<br />Water electrolysis involves splitting water molecules (H₂O)<br />into hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂) using an electric<br />current. When powered by renewable energy, this process is<br />entirely carbon-free. There are several types of electrolyzers<br />used in this process:<br />• Alkaline Electrolyzers (AEL): The most widely used and<br />mature technology, but it operates at lower efficiency.<br />• Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Electrolyzers: Offer<br />higher efficiency and flexibility in integrating with variable<br />renewable energy sources.<br />• Solid Oxide Electrolyzers (SOEC): A promising technology<br />that operates at high temperatures, improving efficiency<br />but still in the development phase.<br />• Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) Electrolyzers: A newer<br />technology that combines the advantages of AEL and PEM,<br />offering potential cost reductions in the future.<br />II<br />B. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) Water Splitting<br />• Uses solar energy directly to drive the electrolysis of water<br />without requiring an external power source.<br />• Still in early development but holds promise for direct and<br />highly efficient hydrogen production.<br />C. Biohydrogen Production<br />• Uses microorganisms to produce hydrogen from organic<br />matter through biological processes.<br />• Still in research and development but offers a potential<br />pathway for sustainable hydrogen production using<br />agricultural waste.<br />III<br />Applications of Green Hydrogen in<br />Various Sectors<br />A. Heavy Industries<br />Industries that require high-temperature processes and<br />currently rely on fossil fuels can benefit significantly from<br />green hydrogen:<br />• Steel Production: Green hydrogen can replace coal in the<br />reduction process, cutting carbon emissions by up to 90%.<br />• Chemical Industry: Used in ammonia and methanol<br />production, reducing dependence on fossil-fuel-derived<br />hydrogen.<br />• Cement Manufacturing: Can be used as a clean energy<br />source for kilns, significantly reducing CO₂ emissions.<br />• Refineries: Hydrogen is widely used in refining crude oil,<br />and switching to green hydrogen can decarbonize this sector.<br />IV<br />B. Transportation Sector<br />Green hydrogen is gaining traction as a fuel for various modes<br />of transportation:<br />• Heavy-duty Trucks and Buses: Hydrogen fuel cells provide<br />long driving ranges and fast refueling, making them more<br />viable than batteries for long-haul transport.<br />• Maritime Transport: Several companies are developing<br />hydrogen-powered ships to decarbonize the shipping<br />industry.<br />• Aviation: Research is underway to develop hydrogen-<br />powered aircraft, with Airbus aiming to launch commercial<br />zero-emission hydrogen aircraft by 2035.<br />• Rail Transport: Hydrogen-powered trains are being<br />deployed as an alternative to diesel trains in regions without<br />extensive electrification.<br />C. Power Generation and Energy Storage<br />• Green hydrogen can be used in gas turbines for electricity<br />generation, providing a clean alternative to natural gas.<br />V<br />• Acts as an energy storage medium, storing excess<br />renewable energy for later use.<br />Challenges Facing Green Hydrogen<br />Development<br />A. High Production Costs<br />• Green hydrogen is currently more expensive than gray<br />hydrogen due to the high costs of electrolysis equipment and<br />renewable electricity.<br />• Advancements in electrolyzer efficiency and decreasing<br />renewable energy costs are expected to lower prices in the<br />coming years.<br />B. Infrastructure Limitations<br />• Lack of an extensive hydrogen transportation and<br />distribution network, such as pipelines and refueling stations.<br />VI<br />• Challenges in hydrogen storage, as it requires either high-<br />pressure tanks or cryogenic cooling to remain in liquid form.<br />• Need for retrofitting existing natural gas pipelines to<br />accommodate hydrogen blending.<br />C. Energy Conversion Efficiency<br />• The efficiency of converting electricity into hydrogen and<br />then back into energy for industrial use or transportation is<br />lower than direct electrification.<br />• Further research is needed to enhance fuel cell efficiency<br />and hydrogen storage solutions.<br />D. Public Perception and Market Adoption<br />• Concerns about hydrogen safety due to its flammability.<br />• Need for greater awareness and policy support to<br />encourage widespread adoption.<br />VII<br />Global Policies and Investments in<br />Green Hydrogen<br />A. Government Initiatives<br />• European Union: Investing heavily in green hydrogen<br />through the “EU Hydrogen Strategy” to scale up production<br />and infrastructure.<br />• China: Plans to integrate hydrogen into its carbon<br />neutrality goals by 2060, focusing on transportation and<br />industrial applications.<br />• United States: Funding projects for hydrogen infrastructure<br />development and technological advancements.<br />• Japan and South Korea: Leading in hydrogen fuel cell<br />technology and investing in hydrogen supply chains.<br />B. Private Sector Investments<br />• Major energy companies like BP, Shell, and TotalEnergies<br />are investing in large-scale green hydrogen projects.<br />VIII<br />• Industrial partnerships are emerging to develop cost-<br />effective solutions for hydrogen production and utilization.<br />• Automotive giants such as Toyota, Hyundai, and BMW are<br />developing hydrogen-powered vehicles.<br />Future Outlook<br />• The cost of green hydrogen is expected to drop by up to<br />50% by 2030, making it competitive with fossil fuels.<br />• Expansion of hydrogen infrastructure and advancements<br />in storage technologies will facilitate its widespread<br />adoption.<br />• Policy support and technological innovation will<br />determine how fast green hydrogen becomes a mainstream<br />energy source.<br />• Large-scale hydrogen hubs and international trade<br />agreements may accelerate global adoption.<br />IX<br />Conclusion<br />Green hydrogen is a key solution for achieving a carbon-<br />neutral economy, especially in industries and transportation<br />that are difficult to electrify. As technology advances and<br />costs decline, green hydrogen will play an increasingly<br />important role in global energy systems, reducing reliance on<br />fossil fuels and mitigating climate change.<br /><br /><br /><br />