My take on the large-scale production of hydrogen gas.

Firstly, to state a major advantage of hydrogen gas: It produces zero-carbon fuel that can be used in fuel cells. (Note that there is a difference between a hydrogen-powered combustion vehicle and a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle. The hydrogen-powered engine is less efficient and produces NOx gases). Regardless, the combustion of hydrogen produces fewer greenhouse gases significantly compared to gasoline. Just this statement alone, we can identify the number of challenges it can solve in today’s era especially climate change, pollution, cost of production and others.

Hydrogen can be gotten from natural gas and coal. Even from water-splitting high electrolysis system, biogas and agricultural waste. All these many diverse options specifically, from the universal solvent and yet, no top-notch energy firm is ready to exclusively take a step to invest in it.

Then, why are oil and natural gas the reign of today’s era? Gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles emit greenhouse gases especially carbon dioxide (CO2), that contribute to climate change and although various steps and equipment are done to mitigate such gases, why are companies not investing in hydrogen gas production only?

Are the people afraid to buy anything that runs on hydrogen or is it because a hydrogen-powered engine is not just durable in terms of distance covered with time?

I think it is all of the above and other implicit reasons. We have to look at the corollaries. Hydrogen gas can only be mixed in a type of material, and certain conditions must be met. Let’s not forget the storage and how to transport it. Unlike liquefied natural gas, which is about -160◦C. To liquefy hydrogen gas is about -253◦C which is more time consuming and not cost-effective.

So, will I support the production of a large-scale hydrogen gas production? If the major issues highlighted can be solved easily especially the storage and transportation factors, I do not see why not. I do not think anyone will be able to adjudicate if it will be the next boon like oil and gas. There used to be only a small percentage of people that could afford a mobile phone. Presently, there are more phones than people. There was also a time whereby electric cars was not pragmatic enough because of the cost to manufacture lithium-ion batteries. Now, most people know what a Tesla is. If the demand is high and many people work together, I am sure technology will catch up.

Photo credit: Limitless

In retrospect, concerning oil and gas. Why is everyone talking about large-scale production of hydrogen gas these days? We can still do more with natural gas.