Reader Response Draft 3
As our global community is seeking sustainable energy sources to combat climate change. Government and industries are exploring greener alternatives to fossil fuels to support clean energy goals. Hydrogen fuel cell technology has emerged as a promising solution. According to the article on Michigan Tech's article "An Energy Breakthrough: Tech Researchers Create New Type of Fuel Cell"(2023) states that hydrogen fuel cells are highly efficient as they require less energy to convert to electrical energy. It produces zero emissions, making them a compelling option for future powered renewable energy. The efficiency rate for fuel cells is 60% whereas for normal fuel engines is at 30 to 35%. (Hu, Su, & Wei, 2023). Moreover, Hydrogen can be produced using renewable resources like wind, solar and biomass, making it a renewable fuel source (Hyundai Motor Company, 2024).
There are different kinds of hydrogen productions, green hydrogen, blue hydrogen and grey hydrogen. Green hydrogen is the environmentally friendly option. It is produced by using renewable sources with help to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Blue hydrogen is produced from natural gas with carbon capture technology. It is more affordable but a less sustainable option. Grey hydrogen is the most common type of hydrogen used. It is produced from natural gas but without the carbon capture technology, resulting to significant carbon emissions (International Energy Agency, 2021; U.S. Department of Energy, 2023).
These various methods of hydrogen production support the versatility of hydrogen fuel cells. It offers a wide range of applications from different industries, from powering cars and trucks to stationary power plants. This makes hydrogen fuel cells an appealing solution for the transport industry that requires a fast refuelling for logistics and long-haul transport. As for refuelling, it takes about 8 minutes to be fully powered whereas it takes about 20 minutes for an Electric Vehicle (EV) to charge (Hyundai Motor company).
There are various types of hydrogen fuel cells being utilised in the market. One of the examples will be the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) cells. PEM cells generate electricity by using hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen reacts with oxygen to produce electricity; it powers electric motors and emits only water vapour. PEM cells are currently being used in the Hyundai Nexo 2019 car model. PEM cells have demonstrated quick start and effective energy generation. It can operate on low temperatures, which is great for automation and portable uses while having high power density. However, pure hydrogen is required for PEM cells and are vulnerable to fuel impurities like carbon monoxide (McKinsey & Company, 2023).
In addition to PEM cells, there are other kinds of fuel cells being used in the market. They include Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) and Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFC). SOFC are using high temperatures to operate, which is the primary use of stationary power generation. It will help to provide electricity from homes to industrial applications. The least common fuel cells are the AFCs. AFC has been widely used in the space industry, and has been applied in the NASA apollo missions, where it has been proven its effectiveness in a highly specialized environment. Each fuel cells have its own unique characteristics, making it suitable for different kinds of applications. Thus, further emphasising on the flexibility of hydrogen as a clean energy and suitable energy source (Bird & Bird, 2023).
Despite their advantages, there are challenges faced like production cost and transportation issues. Hyundai Motor Company (2013) stated that it costs 1.1 billion dollars to set up two fuel cell plants due to expensive materials like platinum. Hydrogen is a flammable liquid and requires high pressure tanks and cryogenic tanks which are costly. Moreover, a specialised refuelling infrastructure is lacking in Southeast Asia countries like Singapore, despite growing interest in the technology. Additionally, hydrogen requires significant energy, often relying on non-renewable sources. It undermines the purpose of environmental benefits (Hyundai Motor Company, 2024).
In addition, producing green hydrogen is costly due to the high energy input required. This adds on to the cost and production, presenting challenges in infrastructure development. Without advancements in technology, storing and transporting hydrogen, as well as refuelling infrastructures will remain difficult. These barriers will make their potential unrealised. Singapore has created a plan called the National Hydrogen Strategy. This strategy was launched in 2022. The goal is to make hydrogen a key element in meeting nation's energy requirements by 2050 (Tiwari, 2023).
Technology awareness is vital for driving investments and shaping proper policy for hydrogen fuel cells. However, the low understanding of hydrogen fuel cells technology is hindering support for a quicker transition. While Hydrogen fuel cells present a promising path towards decarbonisation significant technology and financial barriers must be overcome to make this a vision of reality (Bird & Bird, 2023).
In conclusion, hydrogen fuel cells offer a promising choice for traditional energy sources like fuels. However, technical and economic challenges remain a significant obstacle. As more nations become interested in this innovative technology, the potential transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources will increase.
References
Yun
Hang Hu, Hanrui Su, & Zhang Wei (05 April 2023) An energy breakthrough:
Tech researchers create new type of fuel cell. Michigan Technological
University.
An
Energy Breakthrough: Tech Researchers Create New Type of Fuel Cell | Michigan
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Motor Company.(2024) Hyundai motor premieres commercialized model of its XCIENT
fuel cell tractor and vision for hydrogen mobility in US.
Hyundai
Motor Company. (2024) Hyundai Mobis invests $1.1 billion for 2 new hydrogen
fuel cell system plants in Korea.
Hyundai
Mobis invests $1.1 billion for 2 new hydrogen fuel cell system plants in Korea
McKinsey
& Company. (2023) Global energy perspective 2023: Hydrogen outlook.
Global
Energy Perspective 2023: Hydrogen outlook | McKinsey
Bird
& Bird. (14 August 2023) Hydrogen policy: Enabling a hydrogen economy.
Hydrogen
Policy: Enabling a Hydrogen Economy - Bird & Bird (twobirds.com)
Anand
Tiwari. (27 April 2023). Singapore’s national hydrogen strategy: Can
hydrogen propel Singapore to net-zero? Reed Smith LLP.
International Energy Agency (IEA). (2021). Hydrogen in a Clean Energy Future.
https://www.iea.org/reports/hydrogen
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