Introduction
Renewable energy is slowly replacing fossil fuel, considered a waste in the environment. The pollution affects air, water, and plant cover, making its widespread spread re-evaluated. A recent effect of fossil fuel soiling is related to the climate changes that have depleted the ozone layer and reduced vegetation cover, posing a global problem(Barnes et al., 2022). For a long time, renewable energy sources have been used for activities such as lighting, heating, and transportation; hence should not be categorized as new technology. Therefore, it is a solution to the impacts of the massive use of dirty energy sources such as coal and fracked gas.
What has changed is the energy harnessing techniques, which are now cheaper and more innovative. An example of such renewable energy is hydrogen power which has lower carbon emissions and other forms of pollution (Dornheim et al., 2022). The use of hydrogen power ensures the energy used is clean; hence investing in it can can help fight major climate change. However, its production has not been adopted because of the challenges related to its industry, transportation, usage, and storage. This should not be the case as the other energy sources also have difficulties associated with their construction. The aim, in this case, is to protect biodiversity and ensure that clean energy is accessible globally. Therefore, this paper analyzes literature on hydrogen power production, transportation, distribution, policy, technology, and usage to help find long-lasting solutions to hydrogen challenges.
Literature Review
There are many ways to produce hydrogen, but the most discussed are those processes that do not negatively impact the environment. The literature often provides information on hydrogen produced by electrolysis from renewable energy sources (Grimm et al., 2020). Most hydrogen is produced from fossil energy sources such as natural gas and coal through steam reforming and gasification (Megía et al., 2021). These technologies can provide the lowest cost of hydrogen, thereby increasing its productivity. Only by taking into account the combined environmental impact and the total consumption of primary energy resources can a fair comparison be made between the available and proposed options. Thus, it is necessary to analyze the current literature that studies the problems of hydrogen energy and ways to solve them.
Production Solutions
There is a need to have increased focus on alternative energy sources to meet the demand for cleaner energy that does not destroy the environment. Yue et al. (2021) champion addressing the production of more hydrogen energy in a more economical and eco-friendly way. In order to solve the problem, different production techniques have been developed to help achieve the production challenge. The first technology which has been adopted in the harnessing of hydrogen energy is water electrolysis (El-Shafie et al., 2019). Water electrolysis involves using two electrodes in water and then converting it into hydrogen and oxygen (Yue et al., 2021). The water electrolysis technique can be divided into PEM, SEO, and electrolyte alkaline, which are mainly used since they are cost-effective (Yue et al., 2021). Although, the automation is complex but projected to increase the hydrogen production rate shortly.
Gasification is the second production solution which can help hydrogen energy adopted shortly to increase the amounts of hydrogen. The method involves a reaction of natural gas and high-temperature steam to give a resultant synthesis gas (El-Shafie et al., 2019). In order to produce hydrogen energy, synthesis gas reacts with coal or biomass through gasification (El-Shafie et al., 2019). The process requires a pressurized gasifier which ensures the resultant hydrogen and carbon monoxide are separated to get hydrogen energy. Through this technique, challenges associated with hydrogen production can easily be tackled. Lastly, a solution associated with hydrogen energy production is the implementation of renewable liquid reforming. The process reacts with ethanol under high-temperature steam to produce hydrogen. Therefore, it can be used to help ensure the availability of hydrogen (Yue et al., 2021). The approach is cheap; consumers can get more affordable hydrogen energy than fossil fuels.
Apart from the above suggestions, other ways are still under development to ensure that hydrogen production is safe and is available in large volumes to help replace fossil fuels. An example is high-temperature water splitting, which allows nuclear reactors to propel chemical reactions, making water split to produce hydrogen. Another possible hydrogen production method is photobiological water splitting. The process enables microbes to consume water under sunlight and produce hydrogen as an end product (El-Shafie et al., 2019). The technique can be among the cheapest hydrogen production methods if it passes its development stage (Yue et al., 2021). That can be also presented on a larger scale to help curb challenges associated with hydrogen production.
Lastly, photoelectrochemical water splitting gives hydrogen production a suitable statement. The process applies the use of semiconductors and light energy to produce water, that split to obtain hydrogen energy (Yue et al., 2021). The alternative solutions have only been tested in small quantities and still need the assurance that they can sustain an ample supply of hydrogen energy at a low cost. This will provide the hydrogen energy supply is cheaper than fossil fuel energy.
Distribution Solutions
Various challenges affect the distribution of hydrogen energy, making it available in inadequate quantities at filling stations. Another problem is that few personnel have the specialized skills to support the industry. Therefore, it disrupts its widespread production and makes investors opt for other renewable ways of energy production (Lahnaoui et al., 2021). Thus, there is a need to form cost-effective distribution channels and curb the challenges associated with storing and delivering.
The first method of distribution used to supply hydrogen energy is the use of pipelines. In countries where, for example, electric vehicles are common, large amounts of hydrogen are required to power them; hence the pipeline infrastructure is essential to help create a national network of fueling stations (Pyza et al., 2022). A pipeline ensures that hydrogen is delivered cheaply to the fueling stations and can be connected to distances such as 1600 miles. The channels are also flexible since they can be attached near large chemical plants and fuel refineries to enable faster transportation of hydrogen energy to the fueling stations.
Today, there are different ideas about the various approaches that can be taken to distribute hydrogen energy. An example of a solution in the distribution of hydrogen energy that has enabled ease in the transportation of energy is the introduction of a high-pressure tube trailer (Weichenhain et al., 2021). The tube trailers are cheaper as compared to ships and trucks. The high-pressure tube trailers can also carry large volumes of hydrogen energy for more than 200 miles making them suitable to help curb the distribution challenges. Lastly, the distribution of hydrogen energy has also adopted the use of liquefied hydrogen tankers which enables it to be cooled to liquid form. This method allows hydrogen energy to be transported efficiently compared to trucks and ships. With the liquefied hydrogen tankers, liquefied hydrogen energy can be easily transported over 200 miles compared to trucks and ships (El-Shafie et al., 2019). That has helped resolve the challenge of liquefied hydrogen evaporation, resulting in loss during the distribution process
Storage solutions
Storing hydrogen becomes challenging and hence can be kept under six phenomena. The first condition under which hydrogen gas can be stored in high-pressure cylinders. The second requirement is liquid hydrogen should be stored in cryogenic tanks. The third condition is absorbing the hydrogen energy in large materials with specific surface areas. The fourth condition which should also be considered while storing hydrogen energy says it should be absorbed in a host metal in ambient pressures and temperatures (Dornheim et al., 2022). The fifth way that can be put in place is keeping it in equipment with the same covalent and ionic bonds. Lastly, hydrogen energy storage also requires oxidation with reactive metals in water. The complex conditions of keeping have made more innovation to be put into the storage of hydrogen energy to prevent loss associated with evaporation or leakages.
Besides, various solutions are used by start-up countries to enable the safe charge of hydrogen energy. An example is a stationary storage, which allows hydrogen to be stock in volumes of more than 1000kg at pressures of 500bars (El-Shafie et al., 2019). The technology provides an easy transportation of hydrogen energy; therefore, it gives hope for a rise in the production amounts of renewable energy. Another technique to store hydrogen gas is ambient pressure which ensures viability and uses fewer resources. Various methods let the integration of a hydrogen energy production system form hydrogen atoms easily absorbed in the crevices of metallic compounds (El-Shafie et al., 2019). The storage pressure, in this case, should be ambient, two times higher than the liquid pressure and four times higher than the pressurized gas.
The solid-state nanocomposite storage is a safer way, that ensures there is ease in the transportation of the hydrogen gas. It involves using metallic alloys with atomic bonds and micro-heat transfer systems. The alloys can store large hydrogen atoms at low pressure in this case. The method is efficient since it is cheaper, allowing massive hydrogen production since the storage facilities can hold large volumes.
The creation of hydrogen in liquid form can store hydrogen as well. The idea is that hydrogen energy content is higher than that of gasoline. However, hydrogen density is lower than gasoline, hence making it required in large quantities to power vehicles. Creating liquefied hydrogen allows for improved output usage in small and large-scale applications (Dornheim et al., 2022). The technique enables catalysts and reactors to remove hydrogen without damage. It should be noted that the correct temperatures should be maintained to remove the hydrogen successfully (Dornheim et al., 2022). Hydrogen can be easily recycled with the solution, and a low-cost storage technique is arrived at, ensuring constant hydrogen energy flow and low-cost storage.
Technology Solutions
There has been a technology challenge while producing hydrogen power, making the production of large volumes unachievable. Since some ways of hydrogen production are already outdated, some percentage of the source is contaminated. This has therefore proven to be a challenge over time. With the introduction of various technologies in the production sector, it has been possible to achieve massive amounts of metered production. It helped to control that the hydrogen power produced is pure and can be used for activities such as fueling cell cars. In Xu et al. (2022) article “the future of hydrogen energy: Bio-hydrogen production technology,” there are different solutions that can help maintain a steady energy supply through mass production. One of the technologies being used in this case is hydrocarbon reforming technology (Xu et al., 2022). It is used in the refinery to produce large-scale hydrogen (Xu et al., 2022). The technology can be divided into partial oxidation, auto-thermal, and steam reforming.
The steam reforming process involves converting hydrocarbons into hydrogen using steam. The raw materials required for the procedure include kerosene, natural gas, or LPG. The endothermic reaction of the process is lower than that of the POX and ATR methods. The process, therefore, requires temperatures above 180 degrees (El-Shafie et al., 2019). A micro-channel reactor can be used to help with the kinetic of steam reforming. The most suitable metals to use in the reaction are noble VIII metals, which are reactive and have low coke formation compared to nickel catalysts (El-Shafie et al., 2019). The reactions produce hydrogen energy in gaseous form. The technology is a standard industrial method and gives up to eighty-five percent thermal efficiency.
On the other hand, partial oxidation (POX) involves an exothermic reaction involving hydrogen in a water-gas shift reactor. The technology is much more efficient than steam reforming technology since the latter produces pure oxygen. POX is therefore being widely used in commercial applications and automobile fuel cells (Dornheim et al., 2022). Lastly, auto-thermal technology reactions can be generated using the POX process. The advantage of using the technology is its rapid production of hydrogen energy in large amounts. Therefore, hydrocarbon reforming technology is a technological approach that has proven to be used for commercial purposes and ensures large-scale hydrogen energy production.
Usage solutions
The usage of hydrogen has been improved over time to help attract more investors and users who have developed fear due to the high risks associated with flammability pressure and temperatures. The first measure in the work of hydrogen is the installation of an H2 scan which ensures that errors are eliminated, the process is optimized, and real-time information about the hydrogen energy is provided. The scan can be installed in mixing stations, pipelines, upstream burners, and at the side of an electrolyzer (Dornheim et al., 2022). The H2 scan is suitable for complex gas steam and ensures safety by giving timely results and curbing issues associated with hydrogen energy, such as high pressures and temperatures.
Possible usage solution is to ensure that hydrogen production achieves a wide production scale is assessing the gas infrastructure and material for transporting hydrogen. The move guarantees that adaptations are established, which can avoid hydrogen leakages. Evaluating the infrastructure also controls risks such as air permeability or metal embrittlement are detected (Dornheim et al., 2022). Measuring the combustion properties of hydrogen gas provides safe application. Since some users doubt that the products made of hydrogen energy are highly flammable, heat propagation and detection are being used to test whether new contraptions are suitable for energy use.
Another way to test safer usage of hydrogen energy is developing safer materials for fuel cells and electrolyzers. A durable material, in this case, provides an extended timeline in their usage hence a commercialized advantage usage of these technologies. In addition, determining the ratio of the mixture of hydrogen energy and natural gas can also help determine suitability for use. The blend ensures the customer is billed accurately, showing how hydrogen energy is efficient over other alternatives. Lastly, validating the usage of the techniques being used for hydrogen storage ensures that each mechanism carries (Dornheim et al., 2022). Through the validation, it has been possible to detect leakages, increase metering activities, and analyze whether the hydrogen harnessed is pure.
Policy solutions
Changing the policies that override those that support fossil fuel production is a difficult task since most investors have not gained much interest in hydrogen power production. According to van Renssen (2020), there is a need to move away from fossil fuels while embracing the challenges associated with hydrogen power. An example of a policy solution is the DOE National Clean Hydrogen and Strategy (van Renssen, 2020). The policy, in this case, provides a roadmap for the production, transport, and usage of energy in the USA. The policy offers much information on how safely the power can be used, promoting its widespread production. Through the procedure, hydrogen energy has been included in the clean energy, which should be harnessed to help create awareness of the new source of clean energy.
Moreover, it creates job opportunities, and investors learn about a new business niche; therefore, the drafting can help in the widespread production of hydrogen gas. In the book “Innovation and industrial policies for Green Hydrogen,” Cameraat et al. (2022) pointed the ideas for clean energy help create recommendations and shape future policies that will govern hydrogen production. Through the strategic solution, there is a positive chance of using clean energy shortly and fighting climate change (Cammeraat et al., 2022). The issue is a national concern and a global challenge; hence the draft goes a long way in being an eye-opener to some solutions to climate change. Another policy is the energy policy Act of 1992, which also championed the development and implementation of a program for fuel cells (Energy policy act, 2021). It encourages more research to help arrive at clean and sustainable energy.
In addition, later attempts were also made to regulate energy production, which reduces the risks to the climate. The energy policy Act of 2005 directed investments in technology to enable the creation, purification, storage, and use of hydrogen energy (Dornheim et al., 2022). In this case, it gives insight into the cheap methods of labor larger quantities of hydrogen power to ensure availability. Lastly, the energy independence and security Act of 2007 has also helped to provide solutions to the hydrogen policies. Through the Act, storage, options, customer interests, and energy independence can be achieved by investing in hydrogen energy production.
Discussion
Global environmental problems, combined with the exhaustibility of fossil resources, have led to significant interest in using hydrogen as a universal energy carrier. At present, it is increasingly possible to hear that hydrogen is the most promising energy carrier of the future energy system. A growing amount of research shows that hydrogen can play a role in almost every part of the energy system, including electricity generation and transportation (Chapman et al., 2019). This opinion was formed due to the advantages of hydrogen, such as high energy saturation, unlimited resources, technological flexibility, and environmental friendliness of energy conversion processes involving hydrogen.
Conclusion
Hydrogen production has gained interest since it is a clean, renewable energy source. This means that the energy is environment friendly and can help curb climate change which has become a global issue. Addressing the issues requires that clean energy be produced to help end the use of dirty fossil fuels and a hazard to the environment, health, and climate. The introduction of harnessing hydrogen as a clean energy solution has not been fully explored since the idea is new and complex to implement quickly. Forming policies that override fossil fuel use is also a challenge since its production is a source of livelihood for many families. The use of fossil fuels also drives the economy in terms of transportation, electrification, and farming; hence cannot be done away with quickly. It requires a transition for hydrogen energy to gain widespread production, which will take quite some time. The change, in this case, needs to fill some gaps for which fuel fossils are being used. This ensures that people come since if hydrogen fuel can support one sector, such as transportation, without various issues, then it can be suitable to be used in industries that require much energy and still use fossil fuels for energy production. Therefore, by identifying the challenges associated with production, storage, policies, transportation, and usage, it can be easier to put more effort into research and develop better solutions that ensure cheaper and safer products from hydrogen energy. The move ensures that humans adopt the power after achieving the solutions. The benefits also need to be highlighted, such as combating climate change which makes it more trusted and safer to use than fossil fuels.
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