As World is moving towards a renewable economy, Hydrogen gas, as a key energy carrier, is going to play a key role in the target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050(https://www.ipcc.ch).
 
Why Hydrogen:
Hydrogen is the lightest material on the earth. Its atomic mass is one, and it’s one of the most abundant chemical substances in the universe. Hydrogen in reaction with oxygen gives water vapor (H₂O) that can be safely released into the atmosphere. Hydrogen gas is not freely available in the atmosphere. It is present in the form of H₂O molecules i.e water. To split water molecules, we need an electrolyzer.


                                  Fig: Green Hydrogen Manufacturing by splitting water in Electrolyzer

Why Hydrogen is gaining Significance!
Until now, for our energy needs, we have been heavily dependent on fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, petrol, etc. The main issue with the heating of fossil fuels is carbon dioxide (CO₂), and other greenhouse gases get emitted into the atmosphere. CO₂ gas has the potential to raise the earth’s temperature. leading to natural calamities like cyclones, heavy winds, rise in sea level, etc. IPCC(International Panel for climate change) report suggests that by the year 2050, we must limit the Earth’s temperature rise(https://www.ipcc.ch/reports/).
 
Handling of H₂ gas:
As Hydrogen is a very light gas and very unstable, handling and transportation of hydrogen gas are very dangerous. So, for safer transport and handling, Hydrogen is converted to Ammonia and Methanol. Hydrogen gas can also be stored in fuel cells. In the future fuel cells can replace conventional combustion engines.
Ammonia and Methanol are the major sources of energy carriers and feedstock to many industries like fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel, cement, pharma, power generation, etc.
 
Future of Green Hydrogen:
Down the line, ten years from now all countries in the world will be transiting towards green hydrogen. India is going to play a key role in the green hydrogen transition.  Recently the Government of India announced Policy for the green hydrogen route map (https://mnre.gov.in/img/documents/uploads/file_f-1673581748609.pdf.)
 
Lots of jobs will be available in the Green hydrogen sector in the coming days. All Engineers of various disciplines are going to play a significant role. Start looking for an attractive career in Green Hydrogen.
 
I will be writing a series of articles on green hydrogen/ ammonia / methanol/carbon capture. Any queries please drop a comment in the comments section or feel free to drop a mail (ayyagarisri@gmail.com)
 
Sri Chaitanya Ayyagari

M. Tech Chemical Engineering,

Working in JSW Steel R&D centre.

Note:Opinions expressed by authors are their own.

Pics Source:Pixabay