Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, but it is not readily available on Earth as a pure gas. It has to be extracted from water or other compounds using energy. Hydrogen has been known as a potential fuel since the 18th century, when it was first isolated by Henry Cavendish and named by Antoine Lavoisier. However, it has faced many obstacles to become a widely used source of energy. In this post, I will explore the history of hydrogen and three main reasons why it has taken so long to develop it as an energy source.
The Discovery and Early Uses of Hydrogen
Hydrogen was first discovered in 1671 by British scientist Robert Boyle, who observed that some metals produced a flammable gas when dipped in acid. However, it was not until 1766 that Henry Cavendish recognized hydrogen as a distinct substance and measured its properties. He also demonstrated that hydrogen and oxygen could be combined to produce water, a reaction that releases a lot of energy.
In 1783, Jacques Charles used hydrogen to fill the first gas balloon, which flew for 45 minutes over Paris. Hydrogen balloons became popular for scientific and recreational purposes, but they also posed a fire hazard, as shown by the tragic Hindenburg disaster in 1937.
In 1800, William Nicholson and Anthony Carlisle discovered that water could be split into hydrogen and oxygen by passing an electric current through it, a process known as electrolysis. This opened up the possibility of producing hydrogen from renewable sources such as solar and wind power.
In 1838, Swiss scientists Christian Friedrich Schönbein and William Robert Grove devised the fuel cell effect, which involves combining hydrogen and oxygen gases to produce water and an electric current. This was the basis for the invention of the fuel cell, which could convert chemical energy into electrical energy without combustion.
In 1920, British biochemist John Scott Haldane proposed the concept of renewable hydrogen as a way of storing excess electricity from windmills and waterfalls. He also envisioned using fuel cells to power vehicles and homes with hydrogen.
The Challenges of Hydrogen Production, Storage and Distribution
Despite its potential as a clean and versatile fuel, hydrogen has faced many challenges to become a widely used source of energy. One of the main challenges is the production of hydrogen. Most of the hydrogen currently produced comes from natural gas, which is a fossil fuel that emits carbon dioxide when converted into hydrogen. This process is called steam reforming and accounts for about 95% of global hydrogen production. Although this method is cheap and efficient, it is not sustainable or environmentally friendly.
Another challenge is the storage of hydrogen. Hydrogen has a very low density, which means that it takes up a lot of space compared to other fuels. To store enough hydrogen for practical use, it has to be compressed or liquefied at high pressure or low temperature, which requires energy and special equipment. Alternatively, hydrogen can be stored in solid materials such as metal hydrides or carbon nanotubes, but these methods are still under development and have limitations in terms of cost, weight and capacity.
A third challenge is the distribution of hydrogen. Hydrogen does not have an existing infrastructure like natural gas or gasoline. To transport hydrogen from production sites to consumption points, it has to be piped or trucked in tanks or cylinders, which adds to the cost and complexity of the system. Moreover, hydrogen is highly flammable and explosive, which poses safety risks during handling and delivery.
The Future Prospects of Hydrogen as an Energy Source
Despite these challenges, hydrogen has also made significant progress in recent years as an energy source. Several countries have launched national strategies and initiatives to promote the development and deployment of hydrogen technologies. For example, Japan has set a target of achieving a “hydrogen society” by 2050, where hydrogen will play a key role in various sectors such as transport, industry and power generation . Similarly, Germany has announced a €9 billion ($10.6 billion) plan to boost its hydrogen production capacity and infrastructure by 2030 .
One of the main drivers for the growth of hydrogen is its potential to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors such as steelmaking, aviation and shipping, where electrification is not feasible or cost-effective. Hydrogen can also provide flexibility and stability to the power grid by balancing intermittent renewable sources such as solar and wind. Furthermore, hydrogen can enable cross-sectoral integration and synergies by linking different energy systems and markets.
To realize these benefits, however, hydrogen has to overcome several barriers and bottlenecks. These include reducing the cost and increasing the efficiency of hydrogen production, especially from renewable sources; developing and scaling up hydrogen storage and distribution solutions; improving the performance and durability of fuel cells and other hydrogen end-use devices; ensuring the safety and public acceptance of hydrogen; and creating a supportive policy and regulatory framework that fosters innovation and investment in hydrogen.
Hydrogen is a promising energy source that has a long history and a bright future. However, it also faces many challenges that have hindered its widespread adoption. To overcome these challenges, hydrogen requires a holistic and coordinated approach that involves multiple stakeholders and sectors. By doing so, hydrogen can play a vital role in the transition to a low-carbon and sustainable energy system.