Chapter
Hydrogen Production from Floating solar
When used as a fuel, hydrogen produces only water vapor as a byproduct,
making it a zero-emission energy source. Hydrogen can be used in various
forms, including as a gas, liquid, or even in combination with other
elements, making it highly adaptable for different energy needs. Hydrogen
can be used in fuel cells to generate electricity. This is particularly useful
for grid stability and backup power. Hydrogen fuel cells are used in
vehicles like cars, buses, trucks, and trains. They offer a cleaner
alternative to conventional internal combustion engines. Hydrogen is used
in various industrial processes, including refining, ammonia production,
and steelmaking. Green hydrogen, which is produced using renewable
energy sources, is particularly attractive for decarbonizing these
industries, as it does not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
Hydrogen can be stored and later converted back to electricity or used
directly as a fuel, helping to balance supply and demand in the energy
grid. Hydrogen has the potential to play a crucial role in achieving global
climate goals, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors like heavy industry
(e.g., steel and cement production) and long-distance transportation (e.g.,
shipping and aviation). As technology advances and production costs
decrease, hydrogen is expected to become a more prominent part of the
energy mix, complementing other renewable energy sources.
Types of Hydrogen
Type of Production Carbon Key Challenges
Hydrogen Method Footprin Features
t
Green Electrolysis using Zero Cleanest High
Hydrogen renewable carbon form, production
energy (solar, emission sustainable cost, limited
wind, hydro) s infrastructure
Blue Steam methane Lower Transitional Dependence
Hydrogen reforming (SMR) emission solution, on fossil
or auto-thermal s (not uses fossil fuels, CCS
reforming (ATR) zero) fuels with technology
with carbon CCS efficiency
capture and
storage (CCS)
Gray Steam methane High CO? Economicall High carbon
Hydrogen reforming (SMR) emission y viable, emissions,
from natural gas s widely used environment
without CCS ally harmful
Black Coal gasification Extremel Based on High carbon
Hydrogen using bituminous y high abundant footprint,
coal CO? coal environment
emission resources al damage
s
Brown Coal gasification Extremel Historically High carbon
Hydrogen using lignite y high used in footprint,
(brown coal) CO? coal-rich environment
emission regions al concerns
s
Turquoise Methane Low Promising Still in
Hydrogen pyrolysis (solid technology, development
carbon low , scalability
byproduc environmen and
t) tal impact economic
viability
Pink Electrolysis using Low Reliable, Public
Hydrogen nuclear energy (dependi stable perception,
ng on production nuclear
nuclear waste
source) concerns
Yellow Electrolysis using Varies Flexible, Carbon
Hydrogen grid electricity (based depends on intensity
on grid grid energy varies with
energy sources grid mix
mix)
White Naturally Naturally Rare, could Exploration
Hydrogen occurring occurring be and
hydrogen from , no harnessed extraction
underground productio directly challenges
deposits n
emission
s
Brown Biomass Potentiall Utilizes Limited
(Biomass) gasification y carbon- waste, scalability,
Hydrogen neutral sustainable land use
if managed competition
properly
In the early nineteenth century, scientists made significant strides in
understanding and harnessing the power of electricity for chemical
reactions. Here are some key milestones:
Martin van Marum (1785):
Dutch scientist Martin van Marum unknowingly produced
electrolysis using an electrostatic generator.
He used the generator to reduce tin, zinc, and antimony from their
salts, demonstrating the fundamental electrolysis process.
William Nicholson and Anthony Carlisle (1800):
English scientists William Nicholson and Anthony Carlisle furthered
the experiments initiated by Alessandro Volta’s invention of the
voltaic pile.
They attached wires to either side of a voltaic pile and placed the
other ends in water. When the wires were brought together, bubbles
formed.
These bubbles were hydrogen and oxygen, revealing the process of
electrolysis.
The term “electrolysis” was coined by Michael Faraday in 1834, combining
the Greek words “ἤλεκτρον” (associated with electricity) and “λύσις”
(meaning “dissolution”). Faraday’s work laid the foundation for
understanding electrolysis as a tool to study chemical reactions and
obtain pure elements.
Electrolysis Basics:
Electrolysis (Green Hydrogen)
Process:
Water is split into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity in an electrolysis
process. When the electricity used for this process comes from renewable
energy sources such as wind, solar, or hydroelectric power, the resulting
hydrogen is called "green hydrogen."
Chemical Equation:
2H2O(l)→2 H2(g)+ O2(g)
Steps:
1. Electrolyzer: An electrolyzer is a device used to carry out the
electrolysis process. It contains two electrodes (anode and cathode)
submerged in water.
2. Anode Reaction: At the anode (positive electrode), water
molecules lose electrons (oxidation) to form oxygen gas (O₂) and
hydrogen ions (H⁺):
2H2O→ O2+4H++4e-
3. Cathode Reaction: At the cathode (negative electrode), hydrogen
ions gain electrons (reduction) to form hydrogen gas (H₂):
4H++4e-→2H2(g)
Energy Source:
Renewable electricity (e.g., from solar panels, wind turbines, or
hydroelectric power plants).
Applications:
Energy Storage: Green hydrogen can be stored and later used to
generate electricity or heat, providing a way to store renewable
energy.
Transportation: Hydrogen fuel cells can power vehicles, offering a
clean alternative to fossil fuels.
Industrial Use: Hydrogen is used in various industrial processes,
such as refining, ammonia production, and steelmaking, where
green hydrogen can replace more carbon-intensive hydrogen
sources.
Types of Electrolyzer
1. Alkaline Electrolyzer
Alkaline electrolyzer makes use of an alkaline electrolyte, often a
solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) They operate at relatively
high temperatures (60-80°C) and require a conductive metal
separator between the electrodes. Alkaline electrolyzer has been
widely used for large-scale hydrogen production since the mid-20th
century.
2. Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) Electrolyzer
PEM typically comprises PFSA or perfluoro sulfonic acid materials
such as Nafion. These electrolyzer operate at lower temperatures
(typically 60-80°C) and do not require an alkaline electrolyte. PEM
electrolyzer offers fast response times, high efficiency, and compact
designs, making them suitable for integrating distributed hydrogen
production with renewable energy sources.
Figure 1 Hydrogen production by Polymer Membrane Electrolyzer
3. Solid oxide electrolyzer
They can immediately electrolyze steam to produce hydrogen and
oxygen, offering high efficiency and the potential for co-electrolysis of
water and carbon dioxide (CO2) for syngas production using solid oxide
electrolytes.
4. Anionic Exchange membrane electrolyzer
They use an anionic exchange membrane. They operate at
temperatures around (50-60℃). They operate at a pressure of 1-30
Bar.
Proton Anion
Exchange Solid Oxide Exchange
Characteri Alkaline
Membrane Electrolyzer Membrane
stic Electrolyzer
(PEM) (SOEC) (AEM)
Electrolyzer Electrolyzer
Solid polymer Liquid alkaline Solid polymer
electrolyte solution Solid ceramic electrolyte
Electrolyt
(proton- (potassium electrolyte (anion-
e
conducting hydroxide, (oxide ions) conducting
membrane) KOH) membrane)
Operating
Temperat 50-80°C 60-90°C 700-1,000°C 50-80°C
ure
85-90% (high-
Efficiency 60-70% 65-70% temperature 60-70%
mode)
Operating
Up to 30 bar 1-30 bar 1-10 bar 1-10 bar
Pressure
10,000-20,000
Stack 40,000-60,000 60,000-90,000 10,000-30,000
hours
Lifetime hours hours hours
(currently)
High (due to Lower High, but Potentially
Cost platinum and compared to depends on the lower than PEM
iridium catalysts) PEM materials used
Rapid response Mature High efficiency Combines
to power technology Can utilize advantages of
fluctuations Lower cost waste heat PEM and
Compact design compared to from industrial Alkaline
Key High-purity PEM processes Lower cost
Features hydrogen Long It can operate materials
production operating life in reverse compared to
mode as a fuel PEM Potential
cell for high
efficiency
Expensive Larger -High operating Relatively new
materials (e.g., footprint temperature technology
platinum) Slower Material Durability and
Sensitive to response time degradation at long-term
Challenge
impurities in Lower high stability are
s
water hydrogen temperatures still under
purity Complex research
system
integration
Levelized cost of Hydrogen