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Hydrogen: The Clean Fuel of the Future

Hydrogen is set to revolutionise the global and industrial landscape. With its many applications, availability, and reputation as a clean alternative, hydrogen is destined to become the primary fuel source of the future.

Hydrogen to Transform the Transport Industry

Benefits of hydrogen fuel cell technology:

Transition the country towards a higher proportion of variable renewable electricity sources.
Presents opportunities for applications in industrial vehicles and the maritime industry, which have remained reliant on fossil fuel technology due to the weight and required footprint of battery and electric alternatives.
Presents tremendous value savings for the transportation industry, with estimations of hydrogen-powered trucks in the near future being able to travel around 1000 kilometres without having to refuel.

Global governments and industries are moving towards hydrogen energy, with Australia pledging over AU$500 million alone towards the transition to hydrogen energy. The United States already uses hydrogen fuel-cell technology in over 30,000 forklifts, which is expected to grow to over 100,000 by 2030.

Likewise, Kawasaki Heavy Industries – an enormous multinational responsible for vehicles ranging from motorcycles to cargo ships – have begun research and development into producing hydrogen fuel cell technology at an industrial scale. The company has already installed a hydrogen refuelling station at Antwerp port.

The New Diesel

There has been a commitment from many western governments worldwide to achieve net-zero emissions in the medium term. In support of this, hydrogen fuel is viewed as a strong energy source. Hydrogen generators are expected to drive Australia’s transition from high emissions electricity to clean, renewable forms in the coming years.

Hydrogen is expected to replace all diesel usage by 2050, with the Australian Commonwealth’s National Hydrogen Strategy prioritising the commercial viability of the gas.

The advantages:

Diesel provides power for 41% of transport and electricity generation in Australian mining. This creates an area of significant growth for hydrogen as industries move to emissions-free fuels.
Considerable cost reductions are also expected in hydrogen’s replacing of natural gas, through Syngas. Syngas is an extremely rich form of hydrogen that is predicted to possess a market potential of US$66.5 billion by 2027.
Hydrogen is being touted as the new diesel, with the Australian Commonwealth’s National Strategy saying it will be commercially competitive with the fuel by 2025.
Implementing hydrogen power will mean off-grid electricity systems can be turned into cutting edge renewable energy generators. Hydrogen is expected to take over other non-renewable electricity generation in the long term.

Decarbonising Western Nations

The Paris Agreement began the transition of western governments and industries towards renewable energy, with a target of net zero emissions by 2050. As a renewable energy source capable of producing 100% clean power, hydrogen is capable of decarbonising the globe.

Through processes such as electrolysis, hydrogen energy production creates no carbon emissions, and will soon cost as little as AU$2 per kg. This makes hydrogen a ready replacement for all non-renewable fuel sources, while also presenting a significant cost-saving. Hydrogen is also a dependable backup source for other renewable technologies, such as solar and wind power.

The advantages:

Releases zero emissions, while even clean diesel is responsible for a significant amount of pollution.
Can substitute non-renewable fuels, significantly reducing CO2 emissions.
A method for backing up other renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind.

Underpinning Renewable Energy Sources

Unlike major renewable energy sources, hydrogen does not depend on weather cycles or elements that are beyond a user’s control.

Hydrogen generated electricity can be stored to stabilise energy from other renewable sources and optimise their use.

The advantages:

Releases zero emissions, while even clean diesel is responsible for a significant amount of pollution.
Can substitute non-renewable fuels, significantly reducing CO2 emissions.
A method for backing up other renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind.