Hydrogen - The Path to Net-Zero Emissions and Universal DC Power

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Hydrogen – The Path to Net-Zero Emissions and Universal DC Power

It is profound that the simplest element on earth could lead to sustaining life on this planet for future generations.

Scientific studies confirm that while traditional gashouse power sources make lives easier, their emissions are also creating unintended consequences that can approach catastrophic proportions.1 Hydrogen has the potential to completely redefine how power is generated and used, and is being scrutinized by governments and industries such as logistics and transportation. At Page, we are researching how renewable hydrogen can be used responsibly to cost-effectively replace or support traditional power for large, complex facilities ranging from universities to hospitals to residential high-rises and more.

Venturing down the path of using hydrogen as a primary energy source will be difficult, time-consuming, and expensive, but will be required for protecting all species. The U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) has recognized this situation and will distribute over $40 billion dollars this year targeting the reduction of gashouse emissions.2 A substantial amount of these funds will be dedicated to producing and distributing green hydrogen from several sources, including nuclear power. The DOE also has created the “H2@Scale” initiative, which includes the agency’s “Hydrogen Shot” goal of achieving a $1 cost per 1 kilogram of hydrogen in one decade.

One of the six pillars we follow in our pursuit of design that makes lives better is environmental responsibility. We have pledged to consider the impact of buildings on our environment and take responsibility for lessening it through regenerative thinking, processes, and solutions. We are researching hydrogen technologies and tracking predictions about the impact of hydrogen-powered systems, which experts believe will provide consistent, safe, and economical hydrogen by the 2030s.

For hydrogen power plants to produce uninterruptible pure hydrogen for transport through natural gas pipelines to business and residential customers, existing pipelines will most likely require modifications. Once delivered to a site, the hydrogen will be used by a fuel cell to generate electricity. The electrolyzer can be omitted to substantially reduce the cost of the fuel cell. If the resulting electricity is considered ‘green’, existing three-phase electrical power grids can be used primarily for long haul distribution. Businesses and residences will be able to convert to safer DC operation at a voltage level of 380 volts, with converters stepping down to 48, 24 and 12 volts as needed.

Appliances currently using natural gas (ranges, ovens, water heaters, etc.) can be converted to use hydrogen fuel, thereby reducing large electrical loads to homes and businesses. With smaller electrical loads consisting primarily of electronics, the AC inverter in the fuel cell will be replaced with a DC-DC converter reducing costs even further. These DC voltages will be compatible with the voltages of DC microgrids that will begin to pop-up among communities during the 2040’s. These microgrids will provide backup to the hydrogen-based energy source. There may even be the possibility of fueling hydrogen cars at home.

There will be a mass entrance of companies into hydrogen production with the organization that can produce a consistent and reliable source of hydrogen perhaps becoming the world’s largest company. Time will tell who that is and what the dominant production method is. Several are currently favored for various reasons:

STEAM METHANE REFORMING

This is currently the most popular process, which uses high pressure steam to react with methane in the presence of a catalyst to produce hydrogen. Byproducts include carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Platinum or iridium are typically used as the catalyst, but these are very limited and expensive resources. Currently, researchers are investigating the use of cobalt phosphide nanoparticles deposited on carbon to form a fine powder for use as a catalyst.

Hydrogen produced with this method is called “grey” hydrogen due to the carbon byproducts. If the carbon is recaptured during hydrogen production, the hydrogen will be referred to as “blue” or “turquoise”. Natural gas is the main source of methane used by industrial facilities and refineries for hydrogen production. This process is being used to transition to green hydrogen production, which introduces 10% to 30% hydrogen into existing natural gas pipelines. Biofuels and petroleum fuels are other sources of methane.

Hydrogen – The Path to Net-Zero Emissions and Universal DC Power

ELECTROLYSIS

This is becoming a highly recognized method of hydrogen production. This method splits hydrogen from purified water using electricity, with hydrogen and oxygen as byproducts. If the electricity from the grid is generated through burning natural gas or petroleum fuels, the hydrogen produced is considered “grey”. Electricity generated through burning coal would produce hydrogen referred to as “brown”.

As in steam-reforming, if the carbon is recaptured during production of electricity, the hydrogen is referred to as “blue” or “turquoise”. If the electricity is generated through hydro, solar or wind power, the resulting hydrogen is considered “green”. The requirement for purified water makes this process very expensive but researchers at Stanford University have recently developed a method to use seawater – the world’s most abundant source – to reduce costs for electrolysis.

This water splitting process is becoming popular for long-term hydrogen production. It involves using high temperatures and chemical reactions to produce hydrogen and oxygen from water. The high temperatures are derived from concentrated solar power or waste heat from nuclear power reactions. By reusing the chemicals within each cycle of the process, a closed loop is created that only consumes water and produces hydrogen and oxygen.

Hydrogen – The Path to Net-Zero Emissions and Universal DC Power

PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL

Another water splitting process, this is relatively new and produces hydrogen from water using sunlight and specialized semiconductors to directly disassociate water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. The semiconductor materials used in this process resemble those used in photovoltaic solar electricity generation but are immersed in a water-based electrolyte. When sunlight hits the semiconductors, it energizes the water splitting process.

PHOTOBIOLOGICAL

This process has the potential to be a longterm solution but is in the beginning stages of research. Microorganisms such as green microalgae or cyanobacteria use sunlight to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen ions. The hydrogen ions are then combined through direct or indirect routes and given off as hydrogen gas.

Hydrogen – The Path to Net-Zero Emissions and Universal DC Power

PHOTOVOLTAIC

The process can capture hydrogen out of exhaust gases with low temperatures and pressures and store it indefinitely on nanostructured film. The hydrogen can be released on demand when the film is exposed to light. The process is zero-carbon and can provide an economical and safe storage, transport, and infrastructure system. The system acts as a power source and can be scaled from cell phones, to cars, homes, and ships.

LIGHT ACTIVATED HYDROGEN

This image is trade marked propietary of Munro & Associates Inc.

1. Meredith Rosenberg, “Climate Change: Everything You Need to Know”, https://www.ecowatch.com/climate-changeguide-2652755448 (2021).

2. Mathew Daly, “Biden Revives ‘Clean Energy’ Program with $1B Loan Guarantee”, https://www.manufacturing.net/ energy/news/22018120/biden-revives-clean-energy-program-with-1b-loan-guarantee (2022).

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