Page 32 - Vol 28 Issue 29 2019

energy hydrogen

It’s clean, powerful and available:

Are you ready for hydrogen energy?

By Dr.Yongping Zhai

GMS Nam Theun 2 Hydroelectric
Project in Lao PDR

s the world responds to the natural gas in pipeline networks. buses. It expects hydrogen technologies
challenges of climate change, to provide 18% of the world’s total energy
Aenergy systems are evolving, and needs by that time, with the annual sales
evolving fast. The past 10 years have seen In particular, hydrogen used generated from the hydrogen fuel cell
the rise (and dramatic cost reduction) of with fuel cells (a device that market reaching $2.5 trillion and creating
renewable energy such as wind and solar, 30 million jobs globally. The broader
to the extent that they are no longer converts chemical potential “hydrogen economy” could be much
considered alternative energy. They have energy into electrical energy) larger.
become mainstream energy sources. is most promising for heavy However, before this can happen, energy
Now, what will be the “next big thing” as duty transport applications industries have to answer one crucial
the world shifts to a low carbon future? (like trucks, rail, and ships) question: Where will all this hydrogen be
So far, indications point towards hydrogen and industrial applications coming from?
energy. which require both electricity Currently more than 95% of the world’s
The combustion of hydrogen with oxygen and heat. hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels
produces water as its only byproduct, such as natural gas via the steam methane
a better result than fossil fuels, such as reforming process. Unfortunately, this is a
coal or natural gas, which produce carbon The Hydrogen Council, a global initiative carbon intensive process, with emissions
dioxide (CO2) and other pollutants such of leading energy, transport and industry of seven kilograms (kg) of CO2 on average
as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. companies, envisages that by 2050 when producing one kg of hydrogen. The
Hydrogen can be used directly as fuel hydrogen may power more than 400 steam methane reforming process can be
in power generation and other heat million passenger cars worldwide and coupled with carbon capture and storage
applications, and can be blended with up to 20 million trucks and five million technology to cut CO2 emissions but

32 | AFRICAN POWER Mining & Oil Review Vol 28, Issue 29, 2019 Celebrating 10 years of excellence