The world is focused on mitigating the effects of climate change. One of the quickest ways to lower pollution is to reduce fossil fuel burning. Transportation infrastructure is one of the places to start, as it’s responsible for 29% of greenhouse gases. We can start burning fewer fossil fuels thanks to hydrogen gas.
When hydrogen is burned, it combines with oxygen. This reaction generates energy and heat. But that’s where the similarity to fossil fuels ends.
When burned, fossil fuels produce gases and other pollutants. When you burn hydrogen, it turns into water. That’s why car companies are using this clean energy to fuel their electric vehicles (EVs).
Many countries are implementing policies to greatly reduce vehicle emissions. Some have even started to restrict sales of internal combustion engine vehicles. As a result, nearly every vehicle manufacturer is designing and selling EVs. But the biggest issue with EVs has been battery life, though that continues to improve. By 2021, we will likely have a battery that can power its EVs for around 1000 km.
But EV manufacturers are keeping one eye on hydrogen fuel cell technology. Hydrogen fuel cells complement EV battery technology. A fuel cell uses clean energy sources, such as hydrogen or other fuels, to produce clean electricity. In the case of hydrogen, the only byproducts are electricity, water, and heat. Fuel cells have a wide variety of potential applications. A small fuel cell can power a laptop computer. A big one can run a utility power station. Other applications include emergency power backup, portable power, material handling, and transportation. Fuel cells also operate at higher efficiencies (up to 60%) than combustion-based engines.
Today, there are a few applications emerging that are well-suited for the early adoption of hydrogen fuel cells. They are all in the medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicle space. Transit buses, short- and long-haul trucks, and airport shuttles are ideal candidates for hydrogen power. Compared with a 260-kilowatt-hour truck battery, 25 kilograms of hydrogen would provide twice the mileage. The truck’s fuel system would be 10 times lighter. And it would refuel up to 15 times faster.
Sven Franssen