Hydrogen has immense possibilities as an energy carrier. Scientists and researchers are exploring its uses more in depth every day. Hydrogen is one of the simplest elements in the world of science. It is a gas and it is one of the most abundant gases in the cosmos. The sun itself is composed of hydrogen and helium gases. A process called “fusion” occurs when hydrogen atoms unite to form helium atoms. Fusion is what emits radiant energy. The energy caused by this reaction is what enables life to be sustainable on our planet. It is what is stored in fossil fuels as chemical energy.
As An Element
Hydrogen is an element that is not found by itself; it is always combined with another element. Hydrogen and oxygen, combined together, make water. Hydrogen and carbon, in different combinations, make methane, petroleum, and coal. Hydrogen is also contained in “biomass,” which essentially encompasses all living things. It is also found in the Earth’s crust.
Its Potential for Energy
Hydrogen carries the possibilities of utilizing the most energy, at the least weight, of any element. Thus, it has great potential for being one of the best energy carriers and has perhaps the best ability to utilize energy of all the renewable solutions. Hydrogen can be readily found in a number of sources, including water, biomass, and fossil fuels. It is also a by-product of a great many chemical reactions. Hydrogen, unlike electricity is able to be easily stored for future use. Hydrogen can reach many places more easily than electricity from a grid can. It can also be readily moved from one place to another, wherever it is needed.
The Compound Must Be Split
Hydrogen is very light and it doesn’t remain on the Earth’s surface as a gas, but rises into the air. To use hydrogen, it must be found with another component and separated. Hydrogen atoms can be split, or separated, from natural gas, biomass, or water. There are two ways of doing this: electrolysis and steam reforming. Some forms of bacteria and algae emit hydrogen.
Electrolysis can be expensive. It uses a process by which hydrogen atoms are split from water. It has no greenhouse gas emissions. Research is ongoing to make an easier and less expensive method of obtaining the needed hydrogen.
Steam reforming is less expensive than electrolysis and is most often the method used. However, this process separates hydrogen from methane and, because methane is a fossil fuel, greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere as a result. Researchers and scientists are still working on ways to get around these issues of using hydrogen as a new energy carrier and resource.
Sherry Irvin
on behalf of the
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