Global trends and drivers for hydrogen and fuel cells

The Climate Crisis – we must stop emissions of carbon dioxide!

The profound consequences of climate change is becoming more and more apparent and new reports about the situation are being released in almost every week. A complete transformation of our energy system is required but time is running short. With this realization in mind combined with the falling prices on renewable energy, many players, from private citizens to governments and international organizations, are starting to recognize the great potential represented by hydrogen in combination with fuel cells.

  • Stricter regulations on emissions must be implemented in all sectors
  • A higher proportion of renewables must be introduced in the energy mix
  • The potential for hydrogen for energy storage and energy transfer needs to be recognized
  • Hydrogen should be used to decarbonize large portions of the heavy industry
  • Political support and incentives for hydrogen and fuel cells must be put in place

Green hydrogen offers true zero emission

Hydrogen is the smallest and lightest molecule in the universe, yet brilliant in its simplicity when put to work in the right way. Hydrogen is not a source of energy, but an energy carrier that facilitates rational movement of large amounts of energy and power. Hydrogen produced from renewable sources is called green hydrogen. Green hydrogen can be produced in countless ways, but today the dominating process is the splitting of water using electricity from renewable sources in a process called electrolysis, which essentially is a fuel cell in reverse operation.

Conversion of green hydrogen in a fuel cell will result in power and heat – with water as the only emission. This opens possibilities for coupling of different sectors in society leveling out and compensating for the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like solar and wind.

Further reading

Clean Hydrogen Partnership
Vätgas Sverige