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Hydrogen technologies
THE CHALLENGE FOR THE MODERN ENERGY INDUSTRY
One of the greatest challenges the world has faced in recent years is to curb the adverse climate changes that are the result of human activity. The emission of too much greenhouse gas into the atmosphere has led most of the world’s countries to sign the Paris Agreement, which calls for limiting the rise in the average global temperature to below 2°C in the first phase and not exceeding 1.5°C in the next phase.
In this regard, a profound energy transformation has been taking place before our eyes for several years. The changes can be observed both in Poland and Europe and involve a reduction in the share of coal-based power generation in favour of renewable energy sources.
Decarbonisation and the development of new energy carriers, including hydrogen technologies, give hope that the world will be able to rebuild the ecosystem over the next several years with low- and zero-carbon energy sources.
The recent interest in hydrogen is mainly because it is in hydrogen where lies the hope of solving three important problems:
- seeking alternatives to fossil fuels;
- energy storage;
- seeking alternatives to hydrocarbon fuels in maritime, land and air transport.
HYDROGEN: THE FUEL OF THE FUTURE
Hydrogen is the element with the simplest structure found abundantly in nature. It is an odourless, colourless gas. It occurs in the free state. In its pure form, it is very rare. It usually forms compounds with other elements. The most abundant source of hydrogen is water.
As an energy source, hydrogen is very interesting because of its high heat of combustion – it is the gas with the highest thermal conductivity of all gases on Earth. It also has a very high calorific value.
It can be obtained in a variety of ways. Most of the hydrogen today is produced by reforming methane, crude oil and coal. So far, the smallest percentage is formed from water electrolysis. And it is the production of hydrogen from renewable sources and its use in fuel cells that is expected to contribute to independence from global fuel importers.
Hydrogen, however, has one disadvantage that must be taken into account in the development of fuel cells. Namely, it is flammable and explosive when combined with oxygen. However, the possibility of spontaneous ignition of a hydrogen-oxygen mixture depends on its concentration. And it is this aspect that has been given special consideration in the development of hydrogen technology for the use of this element in fuel cells.
However, it is not insignificant that hydrogen is an inexhaustible source of energy, and the energy derived from it is one of the cleanest. For the environment, it is a safe source of energy, as it does not pollute it. Hydrogen fuel alone has the potential to revolutionise transportation in the broadest sense, and perhaps even the entire energy sector in the future.
POLICY RELATED TO THE USE OF HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGIES
In connection with the development directions taken by the European Union and the Ministry of Climate and Environment, Poland has developed a Hydrogen Policy, which assumes that by 2030 the state will provide conditions for the production of hydrogen from zero- and/or low-carbon sources.
The project has 5 objectives:
Implementing hydrogen technologies in the power and heating industries;
- use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel in transportation;
- supporting the decarbonisation of industry;
- hydrogen production in new facilities;
- efficient and safe distribution of hydrogen;
- creating a stable regulatory environment.
The situation makes it increasingly common to hear about the benefits of H2 and how to use it to achieve climate neutrality.
The hydrogen topic is further fuelled by the fact that at the end of January 2023, the European Partnership for Clean Hydrogen announced a call for applications for hydrogen technology projects. Funded topics include Hydrogen Valleys, hydrogen production from renewable sources or heat and energy.
Thus, the support mechanisms developed by the EU as well as national bodies are intended to provide formal support from and encourage investment in hydrogen technologies.
Written by: Jakub BIGOSZEWSKI
Gas Turbines Department Manager
Gas Turbines Expert
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