The Benefits and Drawbacks of Hydrogen

Hydrogen is a promising alternative fuel due to its potential for zero-emission electric vehicle fuel cells, domestic production, and high efficiency.

FREMONT, CA: Hydrogen production might result in almost zero greenhouse gas emissions with the right domestic resources. It produces warm air and water vapor when producing electricity in fuel cells, indicating growth in the stationary and transportation sectors.

Safety of Energy 

The United States began exporting more petroleum than it was importing in 2020. Still, imports of 8.47 million barrels per day in 2021 were vital. The transportation sector accounts for 30 percent of all energy needs and 70 percent of all petroleum usage. Hydrogen from natural gas, coal, solar, wind, and biomass may be produced domestically. It can diversify transportation energy sources for a more resilient system, increase national energy security, and conserve petroleum.

Environment and Public Health 

The emissions from gasoline and diesel vehicles are the main cause of the excessive air pollution in which nearly half of the US population lives. Fuel cell electric vehicles produce only warm air and water, therefore minimizing pollutants. Low-or zero-emission energy sources, including solar, wind, nuclear, and fossil fuels, with sophisticated emission controls demonstrate hydrogen production's health and environmental benefits. Thirty percent of the carbon dioxide emissions in the United States come from the transportation sector. By producing hydrogen for transportation utilizing these sources, greenhouse gas emissions can be decreased.

Fuel Reserve 

It is difficult to store hydrogen because of its low energy content, which calls for chemical reactions, high pressures, and low temperatures. Hydrogen must be stored in larger tanks at higher pressure since light-duty cars frequently have limited fuel storage capacity. Greater capacity for larger tanks is available in medium- and heavy-duty vehicles; nevertheless, weight constraints may limit the total load capacity to comply with USDOT regulations. Check out the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office for additional details on the difficulties associated with storing hydrogen.

Production Expenses 

Fuel cell costs must go down without sacrificing performance to be competitive. By 2025, fuel-cell electric vehicles that are mass-produced may resemble hybrid automobiles. The production of the fuel cell stack, not the raw ingredients, is the most costly aspect of a fuel cell. The cost of developing and operating hydrogen stations must go down for a hydrogen economy to be supported.