Hydrogen the future of energy?
Hydrogen is becoming really important for storing energy. It can be kept in different forms like gas, compressed gas, liquid, metal hydrides, and organic compounds. The cool thing is, it can store a lot of renewable energy for a long time.Here’s why hydrogen is cool: When we make extra renewable energy, we can turn it into hydrogen and keep it. Then, when we need energy, we can use the stored hydrogen. This helps when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing.So, hydrogen helps us keep renewable energy safe until we need it. As we care more about clean energy, hydrogen will play a bigger role in saving and sharing energy.
But there’s a little challenge with hydrogen. Because it’s a small molecule, it likes to react with other things, kind of like rust on metal. So, when we store hydrogen, we need really strong tanks made of special materials to keep it from escaping and wasting the stored fuel.
Hydrogen storage
In regular conditions, like when it’s not too hot or too cold, hydrogen is like a hidden gas. You can’t see it, and it doesn’t smell. But here’s the tricky part: hydrogen can sneak through things like metals and glass when it’s hot. It’s not very good at mixing with water, but it really likes hanging out with metals like palladium and nickel.
Because hydrogen is a bit tricky, we can keep it in tanks on the surface. We can store it as a gas or a super cold liquid. Turning hydrogen into a liquid needs really chilly temperatures around -253 degrees Celsius. But the problem is, some of the hydrogen can escape and go “poof” as it turns into a gas again. To keep more of it, we can squish it into a smaller space by compressing it. This way, we can hold onto more hydrogen for later use.
Hydrogen as fuel
Hydrogen has been finding its way into lots of cool uses lately, like powering stuff and making things move. It’s super light – in fact, the lightest gas in the world! It’s so light that it can make a balloon float up into the sky.
And guess what Hydrogen is like a super energy-packed superhero. It can give us a lot of energy when we use it, even more than gasoline or natural gas. It’s like having a really strong battery. Plus, when we use hydrogen to make electricity, the only thing that comes out is water! It’s like magic – when hydrogen meets oxygen, they make water. Cool, right
Hydrogen also gets a gold star for being super clean. When it’s used in special machines called fuel cells, it’s really efficient and doesn’t make any noise or vibrations. So, hydrogen is kind of like the clean, quiet hero of the energy world!
Vehicle drive
Current technology has made it possible for vehicles to run on hydrogen fuel, and this type of drive has some distinct features:
Hydrogen cell : which enables the production of electricity to power electric drive units. This means that the fuel cell can serve as a self-contained power source for an electric motor.
Hydrogen engine : This refers to internal combustion engines that are designed to run exclusively on hydrogen or a mixture of hydrogen and ethylene (gasoline).
Towards the late 1990s, there were efforts to develop and test hydrogen engines. One example is MAN’s H 2866 UH design. However, much of the development in this area has since shifted towards hydrogen fuel cells, which serve as a valuable addition to electric motors.
Hydrogen refueling
To refuel hydrogen-powered vehicles safely, specific standards must be met. These standards are outlined in the American SAE J2601 and the international ISO 17268 E. The SAE J2601 standard sets refueling pressures at 350 bar (35 MPa) and 700 bar (70 MPa), with corresponding markings on the refueling equipment for pressure and temperature.
Compressed hydrogen, known as H35 or H70, can be refueled by drivers themselves. Hydrogen refueling equipment and connectors are manufactured by companies like OPW in the United States and WEH in Germany, and they are similar to those used for compressed natural gas.
For passenger cars and small vans, the recommended option is compressed hydrogen (H70) stored at 700 bar and 15°C. This gaseous hydrogen is stored in special high-pressure tanks made from composite materials and polyethylene. The stored hydrogen is then used to generate electricity in a fuel cell.
On the other hand, vehicles using hydrogen engines with a closed combustion chamber opt for liquid hydrogen (LH2), stored in a liquid state at 350 bar. This requires cryogenic tanks to keep the hydrogen at a chilly temperature of -233°C.
In Poland, hydrogen refueling stations are being developed primarily for refueling public transport buses with hydrogen. The initial cities to launch these stations are Warsaw and Gdańsk. These stations offer both H35 and H70 hydrogen options, and the refueling dispensers measure and provide hydrogen fuel in kilograms.
How much does hydrogen cost?
In Poland, determining the market price of hydrogen for vehicle propulsion is challenging. As of November 1, 2022, the cost of 1 kilogram of hydrogen at refueling stations in Poland is USD 24.99, approximately PLN 119.90. Information from the German market indicates that retail customers at Clean Energy Partnership stations pay around EUR 9.50 (about PLN 39.9 per kg) for 1 kg of hydrogen. Large vehicle fleets, like the bus company Hurtch, enjoy better prices, buying hydrogen for as low as 3.80 EUR/kg (approximately 15.96 PLN/kg).
Recent research indicates that hydrogen-powered cars, which use electricity generated from hydrogen, can cover around 100 kilometers with an average consumption of 0.8 kilograms, costing about EUR 10.28.
As for the raw materials needed for hydrogen production, the process requires about 9 liters of water and around 50 kWh of electricity to produce 1 kilogram of hydrogen, with an efficiency of about 50-60% depending on the cell technology used.
Hydrogen is a basic chemical element found in various substances, including water, and its abundance on Earth is virtually limitless. As a fuel, hydrogen boasts a high energy content, enabling several hundred kilometers of travel on just a few kilograms. In comparison, covering a similar distance with gasoline requires several dozen kilograms of the fuel.
Hydrogen economy in Poland
Poland holds the impressive position of being the world’s third-largest producer of hydrogen. The hydrogen economy in Poland, starting in 2022, focuses on four primary goals. Several key players, with Grupa Azoty taking a leading role, are actively contributing to the realization of these goals. It’s worth mentioning that as of August 1, 2022, Grupa Lotos and PKN Orlen have merged into a single company. Their combined market presence accounts for approximately 15% of the hydrogen market.
The hydrogen economy in Poland is pursuing four main objectives to drive its development. The first objective involves the integration of hydrogen technologies into the energy and heating sectors. This includes advancing hydrogen-based energy storage, as well as research and development in compact power-to-gas (P2G) and gas-to-power (G2P) systems. These systems would enable the conversion and storage of electricity, aided by the expansion of photovoltaic installations with electrolysers.
The second goal centers on adopting hydrogen as an alternative fuel for transportation, aiming to replace fossil fuels in urban, road, and non-electrified rail transport. Future applications could extend to ships and aircraft. By 2025, the plan is to support zero-emission bus projects, establish a refueling network, and introduce hydrogen-powered trains and locomotives. The target for the decade’s end is to have 800-1000 hydrogen-powered buses in Poland and a gradual replacement of rail vehicles.
The third objective is to assist in the decarbonization of industries. By 2025, the focus is on acquiring and utilizing low-emission hydrogen in processes within petrochemical, chemical, and fertilizer sectors. Achieving climate neutrality in heavy industry, which contributes significantly to emissions, is a particularly challenging task. Sectors like fuel, non-metallic minerals, chemicals, and steel production are major contributors to emissions.
The fourth goal revolves around enhancing hydrogen safety and promoting its utilization. This includes building a comprehensive regulatory framework for the hydrogen market, ensuring its safe transport, and implementing various research initiatives to improve hydrogen technologies. Through these objectives, Poland aims to harness the potential of hydrogen to drive a more sustainable and eco-friendly future across various sectors.
Currently, Poland boasts seven active hydrogen valleys spanning various regions including Śląskie and Małopolskie, Dolnośląskie, Mazowieckie, Pomorskie, Podkarpackie, Wielkopolskie, and Zachodniopomorskie. These hydrogen valleys serve as platforms to integrate sectors, streamline processes, and optimize costs within their respective areas.
Additionally, plans are underway to establish a Central Hydrogen Valley (CDW) in Kozienice, Poland. This ambitious project aims to produce electrolysers, crucial components for hydrogen storage and electricity generation from hydrogen.
The fourth objective of the hydrogen economy strategy pertains to advancing the production of raw materials through new installations. This goal will be supported by research and development efforts focused on low-emission hydrogen generation technologies. The strategy further involves commissioning installations that employ various methods, such as electrolysis, gasification, pyrolysis, and steam reforming, to produce hydrogen from water, biomass, biogas, and biomethane. Through these initiatives, Poland is actively working to enhance its hydrogen ecosystem and contribute to a more sustainable energy future.
Implemented initiatives
In Poland, significant progress is being made in the field of hydrogen-powered transportation. By 2024, hydrogen-fueled trains are expected to operate on regional railway routes. Meanwhile, Ampere Life, a Polish startup, is developing hydrogen cars, including a potential SUV with an impressive range of 800-1000 kilometers. A functional prototype of this car is anticipated to be completed around 2030.
PESA, the largest rail vehicle manufacturer in Poland, has already produced a hydrogen-powered locomotive known as the SM42 6Dn. This shunting locomotive is equipped with two hydrogen cells that generate energy. One of these cells, with a power output of 85 kW, initiates an electric reaction between hydrogen and atmospheric oxygen to produce voltage. Hydrogen is stored in tanks with a capacity of 175 kg each, allowing for daily shunting work without emissions. Additionally, PESA’s hydrogen-powered locomotive features an autonomous driving system and obstacle recognition.
PESA is also developing electric multiple units that can be powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The company plans to launch its first hydrogen-powered passenger train between 2025 and 2026.
Hydrogen-powered trains are already operational in certain regions, like Bremerhaven, Bremervoerde, and Buxtehude, where they’ve replaced traditional diesel trains. These hydrogen trains, a total of six, run entirely emission-free thanks to their fuel cells.
Hydrogen-powered vehicles are a notable aspect of both the railway and automotive industries. In the automotive sector, hydrogen cars are gaining attention as part of the electric vehicle category, often referred to as FCVs (Fuel Cell Vehicles).
The heart of a fuel cell consists of two electrodes: a negative anode and a positive cathode. Hydrogen is supplied to the anode, while air is fed to the cathode. A catalyst breaks down hydrogen atoms into protons and electrons, which travel to the cathode separately. Importantly, this process doesn’t produce harmful carbon dioxide, only heat and pure water. As hydrogen technology continues to advance, it holds significant potential for a greener and more sustainable transportation future.
Mass-producing hydrogen cars has been a challenge mainly due to the significant energy demand required for hydrogen production. While these vehicles aren’t yet widespread, there have been developments. Toyota, for instance, introduced the Mirai hydrogen sedan to its dealerships in April 2021.
The unique feature of the Mirai is its onboard electricity production, which happens through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. This innovative setup eliminates the need for a large battery section. One of the most attractive aspects of hydrogen cars is their quick refueling time – just a few minutes – while maintaining driving ranges comparable to traditional vehicles. This advancement holds the potential to revolutionize the automotive industry by offering eco-friendly transportation without the lengthy charging times associated with electric cars.
Hydrogen as the future of the economy
The initiatives unfolding in Poland highlight the promising potential of hydrogen in the fuel industry. The growing presence of hydrogen-powered locomotives and cars in the market reflects a forward-looking and progressive approach.
An essential step is the expansion of hydrogen station infrastructure and the establishment of hydrogen valleys. This approach aligns with industry decarbonization efforts, particularly by acquiring and utilizing low-emission hydrogen in sectors like petrochemicals, chemicals, and fertilizers. By advancing the adoption and accessibility of hydrogen on a wider scale, the fuel and energy sectors could witness a revolutionary transformation that benefits both environmental sustainability and industry development.