Green hydrogen

Green hydrogen (GH2 or GH2) is hydrogen produced by the electrolysis of water, using renewable electricity.[1][2] Production of green hydrogen causes significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions than production of grey hydrogen, which is derived from fossil fuels without carbon capture.[3]

Green hydrogen's principal purpose is to help limit global warming to 1.5 °C, reduce fossil fuel dependence by replacing grey hydrogen, and provide for an expanded set of end-uses in specific economic sectors, sub-sectors and activities. These end-uses may be technically difficult to decarbonize through other means such as electrification with renewable power. Its main applications are likely to be in heavy industry (e.g. high temperature processes alongside electricity, feedstock for production of green ammonia and organic chemicals, as direct reduction steelmaking), long-haul transport (e.g. shipping, aviation and to a lesser extent heavy goods vehicles), and long-term energy storage.[4]

As of 2021, green hydrogen accounted for less than 0.04% of total hydrogen production.[5] Its cost relative to hydrogen derived from fossil fuels is the main reason green hydrogen is in less demand.[6] For example, hydrogen produced by electrolysis powered by solar power was about 25 times more expensive than that derived from hydrocarbons in 2018.[7] By 2024, this cost disadvantage had decreased to approximately 3x more expensive. [8]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "What is Green Hydrogen? Benefits, role, state, and challenges". 8 October 2023.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference :12 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Global Hydrogen Review 2022 – Analysis. International Energy Agency. p. 71. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  6. ^ Murtaugh, Dan (21 September 2022). "China Leading Race to Make Technology Vital for Green Hydrogen". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  7. ^ Dutta, Suman (2018). "Hydrogen as Sustainable and Green Energy Resource". Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. Wiley. pp. 1–23. doi:10.1002/0471238961.0825041802091212.a01.pub3. ISBN 9780471484943. S2CID 139161918.
  8. ^ Abdelsalam, Rawan (November 2024). "Green hydrogen production plants: A techno-economic review". Energy Conversion and Management. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2024.118907.