Hydrogen could play an important role in reducing emissions by 2030 thanks to the scaling up of low-carbon “green hydrogen” production, the nonprofit Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) explained last week in a statement. blog post.
The carbon emissions of fuel cell vehicles can vary significantly based on how the hydrogen they use is produced. Green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis, with electricity generated from renewable sources, in order to reduce carbon emissions. RMI predicts there will be a lot of electrolytic capacity online by the end of the decade.
The group argues that green hydrogen is poised to scale within this decade as it is based on “commercially mature technologies” and is therefore not waiting for any breakthroughs, the group argues. and adds that commercial demand for decarbonization is creating a market for green hydrogen.
Toyota ‘Project Portal’ of hydrogen fuel cell hot-selling tractors, for the Port of LA
Large shippers like Amazon, Unilever and Ikea are aiming to completely decarbonize their shipments by 2040 through the Zero Emission Shippers (CoZEV) coalition. Fuel cells may be more suitable than batteries for large cargo ships, and Toyota has demonstrated fuel cell vehicles in port handling operations.
Electrolyzer manufacturers are also ramping up production, RMI noted, citing Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) data showing that machines equivalent to 210 gigawatts of generating capacity could be produced globally. in 2027, if all production capacity is used up.
In many cases, existing natural gas pipelines can be used to transport hydrogen, and it can be stored in geological salt caves, according to RMI. Globally, projects to build “hydrogen hubs” around this infrastructure are already underway, with some funding dedicated to them in the 2021 federal infrastructure law.
Toyota ‘Project Portal’ of hydrogen fuel cell hot-selling tractors, for the Port of LA
Illustrating the importance of choosing green hydrogen for any future project, RMI has previously warned that these centers can be as dirty as coal if hydrogen is produced by a high carbon method, such as extracting hydrogen from natural gas. The initial version of the infrastructure bill even discuss coal as a potential source.
So while green hydrogen capacity may be plentiful by the end of the decade, regulators need to make sure it’s in use. Loose rules could also lead to the rise of “green hydrogen”, which is advertised as clean but can still use a lot of carbon. For example, a 2021 study found that a commonly discussed method to reduce emissions by capturing the carbon dioxide emitted during production actually produces 20% more emissions than burning coal.
However, it is produced, now hydrogen seems to be used in commercial trucks more than passenger cars. Automakers have shifted their fuel cell focus stay away from passenger vehicleswith Toyota having a plan make fuel cell module for trucks in the US starting in 2023. General Motors in 2021 announced a program with Navistar to produce 2,000 long-distance hydrogen pickup trucks.
