What exactly is hydrogen?
Hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant chemical element in the universe. To be precise, it’s the H2 molecule (dihydrogen) and not the isolated hydrogen atom; however, for simplicity, we usually refer to it as hydrogen. On Earth, it doesn’t exist in its pure state and must be extracted from other substances, like water or hydrocarbons. Once extracted, hydrogen can be used as a fuel, meaning it can store, transport, and release excess energy produced by renewable installations. Its main strength lies in its versatility: it can be used in various sectors, from industry to transportation, as well as in energy production (electricity, heat, etc.).
Why is hydrogen so important for the future of clean energy?
Hydrogen is generating so much interest because it offers several advantages for the transition to cleaner energy.
An energy carrier without CO2 emissions. When hydrogen is used as an energy source, it only produces water vapor as a by-product. No CO2, no harsh particles. This makes it an ideal solution to decarbonize sectors such as transportation and industry, where zero-carbon alternatives are still limited or cannot technically reach them easily
A solution to the challenges of renewable energy. Renewable energy sources like solar, wind and water are fantastic but have one major issue: they are intermittent. The sun doesn’t shine 24/7, and the wind doesn’t always blow. Hydrogen offers a solution to this problem. Excess electricity produced by renewable energy can be used to produce hydrogen , which can then be stored and later used to generate electricity or power vehicles or industries.
A fuel for sectors hard to decarbonize. Certain sectors, like shipping, aviation, and heavy industry, are difficult to decarbonize with current technologies due to their specific energy density needs, heat, high-pressure, or long-range requirements. Hydrogen could be the answer. It can replace fossil fuels in these sectors, helping to reduce global CO2 emissions.
Is hydrogen really a miracle solution?
Despite its many advantages, hydrogen is not without its challenges. Its production, if not carried out sustainably, can still generate CO2 emissions. For instance, “grey” hydrogen, produced from natural gas, is still widely used but remains polluting. Moreover, the infrastructure needed to scale H2 deployment—such as refueling stations—is still underdeveloped and expensive to set up.
“Green” hydrogen, produced from renewable energy via water electrolysis, is the most promising solution, but today it remains more expensive than fossil fuel alternatives. Governments, Regulators and Industries must invest heavily to lower costs, develop the necessary infrastructure, and create a regulatory framework that supports its widespread adoption.
Global initiatives to boost hydrogen
In the face of these challenges, many countries and international organizations are taking steps to promote the development of green hydrogen. The European Union, for example, sees hydrogen as a pillar of its strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Massive investments are planned to develop clean hydrogen production technologies and the associated infrastructure. Large industrial projects are emerging with the goal of making hydrogen accessible and competitive on a large scale. At the same time, financial, regulatory, and technical objectives are being established to ensure a fast and optimal rollout at a large scale.
In conclusion: A promising future for hydrogen
Hydrogen isn’t just another technology; it is at the core of the upcoming energy revolution. As a clean and versatile energy carrier, it has the potential to transform how we produce and consume energy. However, significant challenges must be overcome, particularly in terms of sustainable production and infrastructure development. If these hurdles can be addressed, hydrogen could very well be a key to a clean and sustainable energy future. So, are you ready to join the hydrogen revolution?
