Hydrogen – Versatile, flexible yet abundant
Hydrogen has wide ranging applications in various industrial processes. While it has been known and produced since as early as 1600s, its real potential as a key industrial input was recognized in late 1800s with the invention of three key processes – Hydrogenation, Ammonia manufacturing and Hydrocracking. It is a key process input in refineries for Hydro-Desulfurization and Hydrocracking, in metallurgy for reduction of metallic ores, in chemical industries for production of Ammonia, methanol, Hydrogen Peroxide and various acids, in food industry for hydrogenating unsaturated fats to saturated oils and input for various other applications.
Present uses of Hydrogen
Green Hydrogen as a powerful enabler for decarbonization
Hydrogen is abundant, light, energy dense and burns cleanly with zero emissions. Given the climate change debate and the global commitments in place on sustainable future, hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in decarbonizing the energy systems. However, much of the hydrogen produced today is from fossil fuels and if it were to achieve its potential as a green fuel, it must be produced through clean energy. Electrolysis of water through renewable power offers a solution. Hydrogen thus produced is green and can be used for decarbonization of traditionally hard-to-abate sectors, especially applications which cannot be electrified.
There are, however, certain challenges in wide scale adoption of Hydrogen and safe & efficient transportation is among one of them. Ammonia, widely known for its importance in chemicals and fertilizer industries, is also gaining significant attention for its ability as an excellent carrier for Hydrogen making it easier to be transported to long distances.
What opportunities does green hydrogen presents
Green Hydrogen and its Power-To-X (PtX) applications will play an increasingly large role in future energy systems. By 2050, they are expected to assume prominence for sectors which are off-grid or reliant on fossil fuels for on-site energy generation. Sectors which stand to gain the most from Green Hydrogen technologies are:
