Green hydrogen is no longer a fanciful idea in research centers, but a fuel that promises to change the world's energy map. It is the simplest element in the periodic table, but it may be the most complex bet in the race for climate change. It is produced by electrolyzing water using renewable energy - sun or wind - with zero carbon emissions, unlike gray or blue hydrogen, which are dependent on fossil fuels.
Its importance lies in sectors whose emissions are difficult to reduce with direct electricity: steelmaking, fertilizers, aviation, and shipping. It is enough to know that thefertilizersectoralone consumes 43% of global hydrogen, and replacing it with green hydrogen could eliminate millions of tons of emissions.
But this "clean" fuel is not yet cheap - its production cost can be as high as€10/kg, compared tojust $2.6/kgfor conventional hydrogen. More than 60%of the cost comes from the price of electricity needed forelectrolysis, which is still high in most countries. However, the IEA expects this cost to drop to between $2to $2.5/kg by 2030 astechnology develops and production economies.
Hydrogen is a light, leaky gas that requires pressures up to 700 bar or cooling to 253°Cto liquefy. Even when transported, it loses 13% to25% of its energy due toconversion and storage steps. Scientists are experimenting with alternative carriers such as ammonia or methanol to minimize losses.
While Europe and Japan are betting on green hydrogen to reduce dependence on Russian gas, some fossil fuel companies are using it as a front to justify gas extraction under the slogan "blue hydrogen." This is where the line between "green transformation" and "political illusion" begins.
Conclusion: Green hydrogen is not a magic wand, but it could be thetrumpcardin heavy industry and long-distance transportation,when electricity alone is not enough. The challenge is not just the technology, but the reality: How do we turn it from media hype into a real energy revolution that rebalances the planet?
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