How Green Hydrogen Is Produced Using Renewable Energy

Using Renewable Energy to Produce Green Hydrogen: Wind turbines and solar panels are typically the first things that come to mind when we think of clean energy. Green hydrogen, however, is another important energy source that is gaining popularity. It is clean, safe, and has the potential to replace polluting fuels like coal and petroleum in the future. However, how does green hydrogen get made? What makes it "green?" Let's comprehend everything.

Why do we need Green Hydrogen?

Green hydrogen has the potential to change the future.  Here is why it matters:

1. It is a Clean Fuel

It is not smoky and emits no toxic gases. It is not only beneficial for the planet, but also for our lungs.

2. It is Renewable

The ocean, wind, and sun are all renewable energy sources for ever and ever.  Green hydrogen will be an infinite fuel.

3. It is Helpful to Climate Change

Using clean fuel will reduce carbon dioxide emissions, thus slowing down the advances of global warming.

4. It is Transportable & Storable

Like fuel oil or diesel, you can store green hydrogen in tanks and transport it to the desired location.

What is it: Green hydrogen?

Hydrogen is a gas that is all around us, and is already used in factories, cars, and even in space rockets. Most of the hydrogen we use today is made from fossil fuels, which creates pollution! 

Green Hydrogen is different! Green hydrogen is made from renewable energy, like sunlight, wind, or ocean waves. For that reason, it does not release harmful gases in the process, therefore, we call it "green" hydrogen. Green hydrogen is a clean fuel that can be used to fight climate change and reduce air pollution.

How do We Get Green Hydrogen?

Making green hydrogen is actually not too complicated. The process is based on something called electrolysis, but don’t worry about the big word. Here’s how it works in real life:

1. Start with Water

It all begins with plain water (H₂O) – something we all use every day.

2. Use Renewable Electricity

To separate the hydrogen and oxygen, we need electricity. But not just any electricity. For green hydrogen, the electricity must come from renewable clean sources such as:

• Solar energy (from the sun)

• Wind energy (from wind turbines)

• Wave energy (from ocean energy)

This electricity runs a machine known as an electrolyzer.

3. Split Water into Gases

The electrolyzer takes the electricity and uses it to break the water into two gases:

• Hydrogen (H₂), which we collect and store
  
  

• Oxygen (O₂), which is usually released into the air
  
  

That’s it! You now have green hydrogen.

What Happens to the Hydrogen?

After collection, the hydrogen can then be put in tanks and used in numerous ways:

• Fuel for vehicles, including cars, buses, and trucks.

• Power for factories and industry.

• Energy backup for homes and offices.

• Clean energy to make products like steel, glass, and cement.

The best thing? When you use green hydrogen, the only thing that comes out is water vapor, nothing, no smoke, no exhaust.

Real-World Example: H2 Terminals

A great example of this in action is H2 Terminals. They are working on ways to use wave energy to make green hydrogen. That means they're turning the movement of the ocean into clean fuel. It's an exciting project that shows how nature can power our future.

Some Challenges Ahead

Although green hydrogen is fantastic, there are still a number of items to work through: 

• High cost: Currently, more expensive than regular fuels. 

• Storage: Hydrogen must still be placed in special tanks, and thoughtfulness in its movement. 

• New tech: We still need better machines and systems to drive the cost down and make production faster. 

The good news is that many companies, scientists, and governments are looking to cooperate to develop these technologies better and more affordably. 

Final Thoughts

Because green hydrogen is made only of water and renewable energy, it has no pollution footprint across the entire supply chain to deliver one of the cleanest fuels on the market, and using it to power companies and vehicles is a smart and safe energy choice. Our opportunities to expand knowledge around green hydrogen and as companies like H2 Terminals make investments in it, it will only continue to grow! Green hydrogen is leading the global green and clean energy movement!