Hydrogen is the oldest and most common element in our universe & the first element on the periodic table. However, pure hydrogen is not a natural resource. It is stored in a compound with other molecules. Water consists of 66% hydrogen, hence the well-known symbol H2O. The hydrogen molecules can be extracted using an electrolysis process to produce electrical energy leaving the only by-product in the whole process, i.e. Water.
We can store hydrogen as renewable energy for a long time effectively as a 100% green energy supply. The stored hydrogen can also be used to run heavy duty mobility and everyday fuel cell vehicles. By recombining hydrogen and oxygen, a flow of electrons is created that results in electricity that can be used to run electric engines.
We can convert Electricity into hydrogen by the process of electrolysis. The hydrogen can be then stored in the Form of Energy Storage Solutions and eventually re-electrify for Mobility or back to the grid. Over the years the hindrance has been the lack of storage solutions & transportation difficulties which has curbed the influence of Hydrogen as a major player. Today we have started to reap the benefits with years of persistence in developing Hydrogen as a key resource with a diversified product portfolio.
Alkaline electrolysis is a more mature technology for larger systems, whereas PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolysers are more flexible and can be used for small decentralized solutions. The conversion efficiency for both technologies is about 65%-70%. The High temperature electrolysers are currently under development and could represent a very efficient alternative to PEM and alkaline systems, with efficiencies up to 90%.
Small amounts of hydrogen (up to a few MWh) can be stored in pressurized vessels or solid metal hydrides. The nanotubes can store hydrogen with a very high density. The much larger amounts of hydrogen can be stored in constructed underground salt caverns of up to 500,000 cubic meters at 2,900 psi, which would mean about 100 GWh of stored electricity. This will help balance the grid during peak/off peak hours & further enable access to electricity during downtime or for mobility solutions.
We have successfully removed the hindrance largely associated with Hydrogen Storage & this can now benefit a large fuelling opportunity. With the ever increasing market share for fuel cell vehicles especially in the Heavy Duty Segment, a presence of Fuelling stations is equally important. We wish to spearhead in this segment as one of the early movers to prepare the ecosystem for the New Energy Revolution.
Hydrogen can be re-electrified in fuel cells with efficiencies up to 50%, or alternatively burned in combined cycle gas power plants (efficiencies as high as 60%). This opportunity can help provide storage centres as an opportunity to replace conventional Diesel/Gasoline generators.
Because of the limited round trip efficiency, direct uses of green hydrogen are under development, e.g. as feedstock for the chemical and the petrochemical industry, as fuel for fuel cell cars or blending with natural gas of up to 5 to 15% in natural gas pipelines.
Several companies globally offer integrated hydrogen solutions for the supply of electric power to small isolated sites or islands. Demonstration projects have been performed since 2000 in Europe and the USA and commercial products are available.
Hydrogen Fuel cells generate electricity quietly, efficiently, reliably, and with zero harmful emissions, for various applications. They are the cleanest and the most versatile power generating devices on the market. A Hydrogen fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts the chemical energy of a fuel directly to usable electrical energy and some heat. The electricity is created electrochemically with hydrogen and an oxidizing agent, generally oxygen. When hydrogen is used as fuel, for example in a fuel cell electric vehicle, the only by-product is water.