Hydrogen

Why is everyone talking about hydrogen?

Hydrogen will play a critical role in our energy infrastructure as communities shift away from carbon combustibles to reduce global GHG emissions.

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What is hydrogen?

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. It also has several attributes that make it a great energy carrier. It is non-toxic, light, reactive, and does not emit any carbon dioxide upon combustion. All of these attributes make it an important tool in fueling a greener energy future.

How does hydrogen stack up against other energy sources?

Throughout history, we have burned fuel sources for energy. Of all the sources—from coal to petroleum to natural gas—hydrogen is the cleanest option because it releases no greenhouse gases during combustion.

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There are three types of hydrogen being used in the energy transition: grey, blue, and green hydrogen. Understanding the difference between the three is important.

The 3 types of hydrogen

Hydrogen can be used to reduce emissions related to industrial processes, such as crude refining or the production of ammonia, petrochemicals, and steel

Industry

Hydrogen can be blended with fuel sources to drive down emissions related to transportation, from personal vehicles to heavy duty trucking, trains, and ferries

Transport

Hydrogen can be blended with natural gas to power, heat, and cool our buildings, reducing carbon dioxide emissions from residential and commercial buildings

Home & Commercial

Where will hydrogen be in our communities?

As the industry grows, hydrogen pipelines, or hydrogen enriched natural gas pipelines, will be the chosen mode for hydrogen distribution.

Distribution trailers/pipelines

A storage system is required to buffer the production system with the end-user demands. Operational steadiness is necessary to help the industry grow.

Storage

A compressor system is required to enable the storage of the produced hydrogen. This can be either above ground or below ground, though below ground is safer.

Compression

This unit produces clean hydrogen by splitting the water molecule into its component parts, hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is exceptionally pure.

Electrolyzer

Power is sourced from renewable production technologies and distributed to the hydrogen production site. The water needs to be conditioned for the electrolyzer to operate correctly and efficiently.

Power delivery and water treatment

Hydrogen can be added to existing renewable sources like windmills and solar farms. But hydropower facilities are in a prime position to gain from hydrogen. There are five key components to each hydrogen facility.

Hydrogen facility proponents for a hydropower plant retrofit

RELATIVE GHG EMISSIONS PER ENERGY SOUCRE

coal

petroleum

natural gas

blue hydrogen

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Grey hydrogen is primarily produced using natural gas and releases significant carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere

Blue hydrogen is produced using natural gas or other fossil fuels, but carbon dioxide emissions are captured and then stored or utilized, rather than being released into the atmosphere

Green hydrogen is produced using renewable energy such as wind, solar, or hydropower-based electricity, and does not release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere

green hydrogen

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