Hydrogen energy refers to the use of hydrogen as a clean and versatile source of energy for various applications.
Like electricity, Hydrogen is a secondary source of energy. It stores and carries energy produced from other resources (fossil fuels, water, and biomass).
Unlike primary energy sources such as coal, oil, or sunlight, Hydrogen is not a primary energy source in itself.Instead, it acts as an energy vector or carrier.
This means that Hydrogen serves as a medium for storing and transporting energy, rather than being a direct source of energy itself. This distinction is essential to understand the role of hydrogen in the energy landscape.
Hydrogen production relies on other primary energy sources, such as natural gas, electricity, or biomass. These primary sources power the chemical processes that result in the creation of hydrogen.
Hydrogen can be produced using renewable energy sources through a process called electrolysis, where water is split into hydrogen and oxygen. This Hydrogen can then be used as a clean energy carrier or fuel for various applications.
Gray hydrogen is currently the most widely produced type of hydrogen. It is derived from natural gas or methane through a process known as steam methane reformation, without capturing the greenhouse gases produced during the process. It is essentially the same as blue hydrogen, but without carbon capture and storage.