We know that a lot of renewable energy sources are focused on Solar or Turbine energy. But now re-entering the mix is Hydrogen Power. Hydrogen is one of the most abundant elements in the universe and is also very high in energy. Engines that burn pure hydrogen produce almost no pollution this is why it has been used in Rocketship and Space Station engineering since the 1960s.
Jack Bouwer, the director of the National Fuel Cell Research Center at the University of California, Irvine, is convinced that a Hydrogen energy future is possible, and finally around the corner. He says that hydrogen fuel cells for cars can work just as fast as a battery cell engine. A Hydrogen fuel cell generates electricity by relying on the natural attraction of Hydrogen and Oxygen molecules. Inside the fuel cell, there is a membrane that allows positively (+) charged Hydrogen particles to pass through to oxygen supplied by ambient air. The negative (-) particles are then split off and sent on a detour, where they create a flow of electrons or electricity to power the motor of the car. After all the work is done the positive and negative particles reunite to create water H20 which is the only emission that these vehicles give off.
Car brands such as Honda and Toyota have been working on developing their own ranges of Hydrogen-powered cars. Honda demonstrated the versatility of the car by plugging it into a model home, and instead of the car draining energy from the house like normal electrical cars, the Hydrogen fuel car was able to power the house for a whole week, they can also drive for 300 miles (482Km) without refueling. At the moment California now has 45 hydrogen stations with plans of opening up to 70 of these hydrogen stations nationwide. The number one goal at the moment is to make Hydrogen cost less when making it so that it becomes more cost-effective than other counterparts.
Hydrogen is no silver bullet that will help with everything but for some things, it makes the most sense. Green Hydrogen energy could supply up to 20% of all our energy needs by 2050. So, the question is could hydrogen be the future of clean fuel?
By: Kerryn Nel