Hydrogen evolution: how the element a part of the big bang is fueling a clean energy future

Hydrogen evolution: how the element a part of the big bang is fueling a clean energy future

April 29, 2019 0 By Tami Hood

Hydrogen once fueled the big bang and now it is being used to power many of our world’s applications.

The hydrogen evolution has been taking place since the Earth, as we know it, began, literally. Hydrogen was a part of the Big Bang and is the chemical element that is made up of one proton and one electron. Interestingly, on Earth, it is rarely found in its elemental state. Instead, it is bonded to other elements and can be released through electrolysis and steam reforming.

There are five specific ways in which hydrogen is most commonly used today.

These five ways include: building heat and power, transportation, energy storage and power generation, industry energy, and industry feedstock. The main reason why hydrogen is able to support all these applications is fuel cell technology.

A fuel cell truly unleashes the power of hydrogen because a fuel cell converts the chemical power of hydrogen into electrical power. The fuel cell was first deployed in the early 1960’s by NASA to power the electrical components of the Gemini and the Apollo space capsules.

Since then, the hydrogen evolution really took off, with hydrogen fuel cell technology being deployed in everything from vehicles to how products are delivered to our doorsteps, reports Visual Capitalist.

The Hydrogen evolution has really taken off in the form of clean energy.

There are many ways in which hydrogen fuel and fuel cell technology delivers green power solutions. Some of these include:

• Functioning as a buffer to boost energy system reliance
• Decarbonizing transportation, industrial energy use, building heat and power
• Delivering clean feedstock for industry
• Distributing power across regions and sectors
• Allowing large-scale renewable energy integration and power generation

Furthermore, a recent McKinsey report states that it’s possible for hydrogen and fuel cell technology to remove six gigatons of carbon dioxide emissions and provide jobs to over 30 million people by 2050, while also making a $2.5 trillion market.

According to an infographic from Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association that depicts the hydrogen Hydrogen Evolution - Green Evolutionevolution from the Big Bang to today, “Hydrogen and fuel cells are the 21st-century energy powerhouse with unlimited potential for a cleaner and self-sustaining future.”

 

 

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