Hydrogen Fuel: The Key to the Future?

 by Harvey Xu

What is the biggest challenge that the stability of our environment faces? For me and many others, it’s global warming. Upon examining research from climatologists conducted at NASA, we can conclude that the exponential growth of the combustion of fossil fuels is by far the largest contributor to global climate change as it accounts for over 80% of total greenhouse gas emissions. Studies show that given our current fossil fuel consumption trajectory, all our fossil fuels will be depleted by 2060 and currently we are experiencing global warming 10 times faster than the average rate of warming after an ice age.

So how are we combating the situation? Countries and governments are now gathering in worldwide events such as the United Nations Climate Change Conference also widely known as COP. Representatives aim to assess current climate change threats and methods to battle the situation. One main talking point discussed as part of government strategies is increasing the consumption of green energy. This is often referred to as renewable energy and can be defined as energy derived from natural sources that can be replenished at a larger rate than they are consumed. Examples of green energy include wind, solar, hydroelectric, bioenergy, and geothermal.

There is 1 example of renewable energy which has yet to be implemented into industrial production however it is slowly gaining attraction. The concept of using hydrogen in the air around us to produce energy is becoming ever possible as currently, we are desperately trying to find ways to scrap fossil fuel consumption in exchange for new upcoming concepts.

Hydrogen fuel cells work like batteries and can produce electricity without the need for replacement parts. There are 2 “plates” on either side of an electrolyte membrane. The plates consist of a negatively charged anode and a positively charged cathode. The process begins by feeding hydrogen to the negatively charged anode and oxygen to the positively charged cathode. With the help of a catalyst, the anode separates hydrogen molecules into protons and electrons where the protons flow through the membrane from the anode to the cathode whilst the electrons cannot pass through the membrane. The negatively charged electrons at the anode then move to the positive cathode through a circuit that generates heat from an electric current. Finally, hydrogen protons, electrons, and oxygen at the cathode combine to produce water molecules (H2O).

This energy can be used in vehicles in replacement of typical combustion engines and lithium batteries as they can be 2 to 3 times more efficient than internal combustion engines. Due to the lack of moving parts, the cells are highly reliable and almost silent. They also do not produce harmful byproducts such as carbon dioxide and there is no threat to extracting hydrogen from the air unlike drilling for lithium from the earth. 

However, the development of hydrogen fuel is still early and there are disadvantages. One significant reason it has not been seen in vehicles today is that hydrogen is highly flammable. This causes concern for passengers' safety as if hydrogen does light, it will combust. Another reason is it is very difficult to transport. Hydrogen is often transported in high-pressure tanks and there is a risk of the gas escaping which can lead to corroding metals. Finally, the cost to manufacture a cell is not cheap as the concept is still new and the cost of transport, maintenance, etc. is relatively high.

So can we say that hydrogen fuel is the key to the future? Well, it is too early to say now as we still are discovering ways to implement them safely into vehicles and as a permanent energy source. However, it is no doubt that there is a big potential for industrializing hydrogen as a reliable and renewable energy source.