What is green hydrogen and what are its benefits?

Green hydrogen is a clean and renewable alternative for producing energy, and is increasingly widespread in Brazil and around the world. In this text, we will explore everything you need to know about this promising energy source.

It is produced from the electrolysis of water (a chemical reaction caused by the passage of an electric current), using electricity generated by a renewable source, such as solar or wind power. Electricity is used to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen at the molecular level, and the hydrogen is collected and stored in tanks.

Unlike conventional hydrogen, which is produced from fossil fuels, our green ally is completely carbon-free, and therefore does not emit greenhouse gases or pollutants during production or use.

Green hydrogen in production in Brazil

Brazil is a country with great potential to produce green hydrogen. With a highly renewable energy matrix, it is already one of the world's largest producers of hydroelectric power, in addition to having great potential for wind and solar power. The country is also one of the largest producers of biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, which can also be used in the production of special hydrogen.

Although its production is still in its infancy in Brazil, there is great potential for growth in the coming years. In 2021, the federal government launched the National Green Hydrogen Program, with the aim of developing a national industry focused on production, a project to be completed by 2030.

The idea is to transform Brazil into a global leader in the production of renewable energy, according to ABSOLAR, the Brazilian Association of Solar Photovoltaic Energy. Since then, several projects have been developed in different regions of the country with a well-defined agenda until 2025.

Benefits

In recent years, electrolysis has gained prominence in the production of green hydrogen. The process can be used to produce hydrogen, which is needed to fuel cars, trucks and other vehicles, as well as being useful in other applications.

For green hydrogen to provide solutions in Brazil, it is necessary to use electricity generated from renewable energy sources. This way, the production process becomes more sustainable and less polluting, since it does not use fossil fuels.

Once produced, hydrogen can be stored in high-pressure tanks or transported through pipelines, so that it can be used as an energy source in various sectors, such as industry, transport and even in homes.

Although it is still an emerging technology in the country, it has great potential to become an important source of clean and renewable energy in the future, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the transition to a more sustainable economy.

World attention

Today, the energy transition (with an increasing focus on generating “clean energy”) is considered one of the main goals of governments and international organizations around the world. Thus, public institutions work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to avoiding the negative effects of climate change.

Furthermore, the use of green hydrogen can help diversify Brazil's energy matrix, reducing dependence on oil and natural gas, increasing its energy security, as with it we can have a practically infinite supply, since its production becomes a renewable source of energy, something so desirable across the planet.

Advantages over conventional energy sources

Clean energy and reducing carbon emissions

As you have read, the solution is completely carbon-free, meaning it does not emit greenhouse gases or other pollutants during production or use. This contributes to reducing the carbon footprint and preserving the environment.

Renewability

Its production is based on renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, which means that the energy source is infinite and never runs out. Therefore, the more humanity needs, the more it can have.

Storage

The compound can be easily stored in tanks, which allows it to be transported to different locations and used as an energy source in different sectors.

Versatility

With excellent diversification of the energy matrix, it can be used in different ways, such as transportation, in industry and in homes, replacing more polluting energy sources and contributing to the transition to a carbon-independent economy.

Opportunities for energy-intensive sectors

Transport, industry and power generation can benefit from increased use of clean energy. As a fuel, it reduces the emission of polluting gases. In industry, it can replace fossil fuels in production processes, reducing CO2 emissions and making operations more sustainable.

It can also be used as an energy source for industrial processes that require high temperatures, such as the production of steel and aluminum, which can result in a significant reduction in production costs, encouraging the circulation of goods and therefore, savings.

In the generation of electrical energy, it can also be used in thermoelectric plants, providing clean and stable energy to the grid. In addition, production can generate new jobs and foster technological development in various sectors.

Hybrid system

In addition to all the benefits for clean energy production already known, it can be integrated with other renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, to form hybrid systems, capable of guaranteeing a continuous and reliable supply of energy.

Challenges to adhere to the solution 

Not everything is perfect. If it were that simple, the entire world would have already made the complete transition to exclusively clean energy production. Some of the challenges are:

Production costs

It is still more expensive than traditional energy sources such as oil and natural gas. In addition, it requires large investments in technology and infrastructure, which can be an obstacle to large-scale implementation, as it requires more investment and even structural changes from several companies, which requires time, planning and resources.

However, it is possible for costs to be optimized and reduced, making the solution a more viable and competitive option in the energy market.

Infrastructure

In addition to the aforementioned investments required for its adaptation, a great deal of planning is required for the distribution of the product itself. Today, the infrastructure for the production, storage and distribution of hydrogen is still limited and underdeveloped in many countries, including Brazil. As a gas, it can only be stored and transported under specific pressure and temperature conditions.

Regulation and public policies

They are crucial for the widespread adoption of hydrogen, as governments and regulatory agencies need to establish standards and incentives for its production, distribution and use. However, the lack of a clear and consistent policy can slow down the development of the sector and make it difficult to attract investment.

Furthermore, the lack of regulation between countries and regions can create trade barriers and hinder the adoption of clean energy on a global scale. Therefore, it is necessary for international leaders to work together to create coherent and effective policies that encourage its production and use, thus ensuring the energy transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable economy.

International projects

Investments and partnerships in the sector

In Brazil, Toyota announced a partnership to study the technical and economic feasibility of producing hydrogen from renewable sources. Petrobras has also begun the process of building a pilot plant for the solution in Ceará, in partnership with Norwegian company Equinor. The plant will have the capacity to produce 240 m³/h of renewable hydrogen from wind energy.

Eletrobras and the Institute of Technological Research (IPT) are developing a pilot project to produce green hydrogen from biomass, with the aim of generating fuel for vehicles.

Furthermore, several national and international companies have invested in projects related to the solution, both in production and in the application of technology in different sectors.

And abroad?

Shell and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, in partnership with the city of Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, are developing a project to build a special hydrogen plant.

In Australia, the government has announced plans to build the world's largest clean energy plant, with the capacity to produce up to 15 gigawatts of renewable energy. In addition, Germany and France are also planning to build their own plants to supply their countries and export the surplus to other nations.

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