The trillions of stars in the universe, including our Sun, are made almost entirely of hydrogen and helium. In fact, these are the two most abundant elements in the universe, accounting for approximately 75 percent and 24 percent of its total mass, respectively. As in other stars, the Sun’s core fuses isotopes of hydrogen into helium, which creates massive energy. We can think of it as a spontaneous nuclear fusion reactor surrounded by a liquid power reserve consisting of hydrogen.
Here on Earth, we will probably soon be able to control nuclear fusion to create energy from isotopes of hydrogen, but in addition to its value as industrial feedstock, it is the commercial use of hydrogen as a means of energy storage – as a liquid battery, if you will – that is the main focus of this report.
There is plenty of demand for energy storage, and as such, hydrogen has a lot going for it. First, it is fairly easy to produce or extract through a low-tech process that has been well understood since the early modern age (water electrolysis), though other industrial-scale production methods are more complex (and emit CO2). Second, the storage and transportation of it can build on the experience, and to some extent the infrastructure built up for natural gas.
Will we soon see a Big Bang for green hydrogen?
Most forecasters think we will. Renewables have plummeting costs but operate intermittently and are often best placed far from the energy consumers. Hydrogen can be a way of storing temporary energy surplus. Also, according to a 2018 Global Automotive Executive Survey, 78 percent of the 1,000 executives interviewed felt that fuel cell hydrogen vehicles were the future. Not only that, but a further 62 percent believed that battery-electric cars would fail eventually, due largely to issues related to infrastructure and slow charging time.
What is required for hydrogen to break through and become competitive?
- Repurposing/adapting natural gas infrastructure for H2 (transmission, distribution, storage, turbines, etc.)
- Further reduction of electrolyzer cost
- Advanced transport, conversion, and storage solutions (e.g., Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier)
- Continued support from policymakers
In this report, we examine the technologies, promises, challenges, and timeline projections for the coming hydrogen revolution. I hope you will find it as interesting as I do!
Lars Tvede