Mercedes Mullins
Hydrogen is a versatile energy carrier that can be used to store, move, and deliver energy. It is a clean fuel that produces only water when consumed in a fuel cell. Hydrogen can be produced from a variety of sources, including natural gas, nuclear power, biomass, and renewable power like solar and wind. Natural gas reforming, which uses steam methane reforming (SMR) to produce hydrogen from methane, is currently the primary source of hydrogen production, accounting for around 75% of the annual global dedicated hydrogen production of about 70 million tonnes. The production cost of hydrogen from natural gas is influenced by fuel costs, gas prices, and capital expenditures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of hydrogen produced from natural gas | 70% |
| Other sources of hydrogen | Nuclear power, biomass, renewable power like solar and wind |
| Hydrogen production methods | Steam methane reforming, electrolysis, solar-driven, biological processes |
| CO2 emissions from steam methane reforming | 6.6-9.3 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of hydrogen |
| CO2 emissions from 2021 hydrogen production | 915 MtCO2 |
| Percentage of 2021 CO2 emissions from hydrogen production | 2.5% of energy-related CO2 emissions, 1.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions |
| Hydrogen fuel cost | $13-$16 per kg |
| Hydrogen fuel cars mileage | 80 miles per gallon equivalent |
| Natural gas cost | $0.50 per therm |
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What You'll Learn
- Hydrogen from natural gas is known as grey hydrogen
- Blue hydrogen is produced by capturing carbon dioxide emissions
- Green hydrogen is produced from renewable electricity via electrolysis of water
- Hydrogen can be produced from domestic resources like natural gas, nuclear power, biomass, and renewable power
- Hydrogen is 3-5 times more expensive per Btu than natural gas
Hydrogen from natural gas is known as grey hydrogen
Hydrogen is the most abundant chemical structure in the universe. However, on Earth, it rarely exists as a gas and needs to be separated from other elements. Hydrogen can be produced from a range of resources, including fossil fuels, nuclear energy, biomass, and renewable energy sources.
Hydrogen fuel, when produced by renewable sources of energy like wind or solar power, is a renewable fuel. Hydrogen produced from nuclear energy via electrolysis is sometimes viewed as a subset of green hydrogen but can also be referred to as pink hydrogen. The Oskarshamn Nuclear Power Plant made an agreement in January 2022 to supply commercial pink hydrogen.
Hydrogen produced from natural gas is known as grey hydrogen. Grey hydrogen is the most common form of hydrogen and is generated from natural gas or methane through a process called steam reforming or steam methane reforming. This process generates a smaller amount of emissions than black or brown hydrogen, which uses black (bituminous) or brown (lignite) coal in the hydrogen-making process. Grey hydrogen is essentially the same as blue hydrogen but without the use of carbon capture and storage.
Blue hydrogen is produced mainly from natural gas using steam reforming, which brings together natural gas and heated water in the form of steam. The output is hydrogen, but carbon dioxide is also produced as a byproduct. Blue hydrogen is sometimes described as 'low-carbon hydrogen' as the steam reforming process does not avoid the creation of greenhouse gases. When carbon capture and storage is used to remove a large fraction of these emissions, the product is known as blue hydrogen.
As of 2022, 94 million tons of grey hydrogen were produced globally using fossil fuels, primarily natural gas, making it a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. The cost of producing grey hydrogen is estimated to be $1–1.80/kg, while green hydrogen costs $2.50–6.80/kg. Hydrogen is 3-5 times more expensive per Btu than natural gas using SG H2’s technology and 10-13 times more expensive per Btu than natural gas using electrolysis from renewable electricity.
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Blue hydrogen is produced by capturing carbon dioxide emissions
Hydrogen is a clean fuel that can be used in a variety of applications, including cars, houses, and power generation. It is produced from several sources, including natural gas, nuclear power, biomass, and renewable power. Natural gas is currently the most common feedstock for hydrogen production, with about 95% of all hydrogen derived from steam reforming of natural gas.
However, the production of hydrogen from natural gas results in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, contributing to climate change and global warming. This has spurred the development of "blue hydrogen" as a more sustainable alternative. Blue hydrogen refers to hydrogen produced from natural gas with the associated carbon emissions captured and stored. The process involves converting natural gas into hydrogen through steam methane reforming (SMR), which generates 9 to 12 tons of CO2 for every ton of hydrogen produced.
By employing carbon capture technology, these CO2 emissions can be captured from the flue gas before they are released into the atmosphere. This captured carbon dioxide can then be stored or repurposed for commercial use. Combining blue hydrogen production with carbon capture technology significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the overall hydrogen production process, achieving greenhouse gas reductions of 80% or more compared to direct natural gas usage.
The implementation of blue hydrogen and carbon capture is being actively pursued in several regions, such as the UK, which has committed £1 billion to support carbon capture technology development. This synergistic approach offers a promising pathway to decarbonize various industries and mitigate the environmental impact of fossil fuel usage. However, some literature suggests that the current state of carbon capture in blue hydrogen production falls short of expectations, and further improvements are needed to realize its decarbonization potential fully.
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Green hydrogen is produced from renewable electricity via electrolysis of water
Hydrogen is a clean fuel that can be used in a variety of applications, including cars, houses, and electricity generation. While hydrogen fuel can be produced through several methods, natural gas reforming is currently the most common, contributing to 95% of hydrogen production. However, hydrogen produced from natural gas is not considered green hydrogen.
Green hydrogen is produced by using renewable electricity to power the electrolysis of water. This process involves using electricity to split water (H2O) into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2). The electrolysis occurs in units called electrolyzers, which can vary in size and capacity. Electrolyzers consist of an anode and a cathode separated by an electrolyte. There are several types of electrolyzers, including alkaline electrolyzers (AE), proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, and solid oxide electrolyzers (SOEC).
Alkaline electrolyzers are a mature and cost-effective technology used for large-scale, steady hydrogen production. They operate at 70-90°C using a potassium hydroxide electrolyte and non-precious metal catalysts. PEM electrolyzers, on the other hand, have a compact design and are highly responsive, making them ideal for coupling with wind and solar power due to their ability to quickly adjust to fluctuating power. SOECs operate at much higher temperatures (500-1000°C) and are well-suited for integration with industrial heat sources.
While green hydrogen has a higher cost of production compared to hydrogen produced from natural gas, the cost of green hydrogen is expected to decrease significantly by 2030 and 2050, driven by the falling cost of renewable power generation. As the cost of green hydrogen becomes more competitive, it is expected to play a critical role in a net-zero economy, offering zero-emission fuel for mobility, carbon-neutral industrial feedstock, and renewable energy storage.
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Hydrogen can be produced from domestic resources like natural gas, nuclear power, biomass, and renewable power
Hydrogen is a clean fuel that can be produced from diverse domestic resources, including natural gas, nuclear power, biomass, and renewable power. Today, about 95% of all hydrogen is produced from natural gas through a process called steam reforming, which involves separating hydrogen from the hydrocarbon molecules in fossil fuels. This method of hydrogen production is well-established and widely used in large central plants in the United States.
Natural gas reforming is a mature and advanced process that leverages existing natural gas infrastructure. It is a thermal process that occurs at high temperatures, where steam reacts with natural gas to produce hydrogen. This makes it an attractive fuel option for transportation and electricity generation, as it can be used in cars, houses, and portable power applications.
Biomass, another domestic resource, is an abundant and renewable source of hydrogen. Biomass can be converted to hydrogen through microbial biomass conversion or by using electricity generated from wind power to split water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis. Growing biomass also removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, resulting in low net carbon emissions.
Nuclear power can also be used to produce hydrogen through electrolysis, and future high-temperature reactors are expected to facilitate thermochemical hydrogen production. Additionally, renewable power sources such as solar and wind energy can be harnessed to generate electricity for water electrolysis, producing hydrogen. These renewable sources are well-suited for hydrogen production during periods of low wind or solar resource availability.
The versatility of hydrogen production methods showcases its potential as a future transport fuel. By utilizing domestic resources, hydrogen can be produced sustainably and integrated into various sectors of the economy, contributing to a cleaner and more diverse energy landscape.
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Hydrogen is 3-5 times more expensive per Btu than natural gas
Hydrogen is a clean fuel that only produces water when consumed in a fuel cell. It can be produced from a variety of resources, including natural gas, nuclear power, biomass, and renewable power like solar and wind. Hydrogen is a lightweight fuel option for road, air, and shipping transportation.
Natural gas is a readily available resource that is cost-effective and a cleaner alternative to coal. It has been used for many years to heat homes and businesses and for power stations to generate electricity. Hydrogen, on the other hand, is more expensive than natural gas. Hydrogen is 3-5 times more expensive per Btu than natural gas using SG H2's technology and 10-13 times more expensive per Btu than natural gas using electrolysis from renewable electricity.
The cost of hydrogen fuel is about the same as gasoline. Hydrogen fuel cell cars get about 80 miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent, which is essentially the miles per Btu of fuel going into the vehicle. The DOE states that hydrogen costs $13-$16 per kg, which is about double the price shown in the SG H2 chart.
The higher cost of hydrogen is due to the production process. Most hydrogen is produced from steam methane reforming, which emits 6.6-9.3 tons of carbon dioxide per ton of hydrogen produced. This process uses natural gas as a feedstock, reacting steam at a high temperature and pressure with methane and a nickel catalyst to form hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Producing green hydrogen from renewable electricity via electrolysis of water is possible, but it is currently more expensive and less efficient than producing gray hydrogen.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2021, 94 million tons of hydrogen were produced, 70% of which was produced by natural gas.
Hydrogen is derived from natural gas through steam methane reforming, which uses steam and heat to react with methane, the main component of natural gas, to produce hydrogen.
Hydrogen is 3-5 times more expensive per Btu than natural gas using SG H2’s technology and 10-13 times more expensive per Btu than natural gas using electrolysis from renewable electricity.
