Why Hydrogen Power Is Not Widely Used

2 min read

Hydrogen as a source of energy has been around since 1838. Hydrogen fuel cells have had proven trials in cars, trains, forklifts, drones, planes, boats and many more, so why is it not being used everywhere?

Hydrogen is converted to electricity in an energy conversion device called a ‘fuel cell’. In an electric fuel cell, hydrogen reacts with water creating an electric current and producing water vapour. This conversion is mainly done by natural gas reforming or electrolysis, and both methods are known to be quite costly. Natural gas reforming involves using methane with thermal processes to produce hydrogen, while electrolysis uses electricity to split water into oxygen and hydrogen.

Benefits of hydrogen

• No need for multiple metals used to make batteries.
• Hydrogen fuel cells are about 60% efficient, compared with 33-35% for fossil fuel power stations, and second in efficiency only to hydropower.
• Hydrogen production works at any time of the day and in all weather conditions.
• Green hydrogen is made from excess renewable energy, emitting no CO2.

Drawbacks of hydrogen

• Has a high flammability rating, making it dangerous.
• Not made cleanly in most cases – most commonly made from methane without capturing the greenhouse gases released.
• Producing hydrogen is quite costly, especially due to the high price of one of its main components, platinum.
• Lack of hydrogen infrastructure – there are only 469 hydrogen fuel cell stations in the world, compared to 1.8 million EV charging stations around the world.

Fuel cells also have the potential for taking homes off the electrical and water grid, as they can use hydrogen to generate electricity as well as use and store the produced water.

Companies and governments around the world have plans to reduce the price of hydrogen by 80% within the next 10 years.

What do you think of hydrogen as an energy source? 

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