Reader Response Draft 4

As the global community confronts the challenges of climate change, Hydrogen fuel cells have emerged as a promising solution to the transition to sustainable clean energy. Their high efficiency and low emissions have made them particularly appealing to the automobile industry (Hyundai Motor Company, 2014-b). However, there are significant technological barriers that must be addressed to unlock their full potential (Bird&Bird,2023).

Hydrogen fuel cells operate at an efficiency of 60%, compared to a traditional internal combustion engine, where the efficiency is at 35%, with water vapour as the byproduct(Hu et al., 2023). This high efficiency and clean operation have made them ideal for achieving global clean energy goals (McKinsey & Company 2023). In Addition, hydrogen can be produced from the use of renewable sources such as wind, solar and biomass, emphasizing its role in renewable energy sources (Hyundai Motor Company,2024-b). However, some benefits hinge on the widespread adoption and addressing cost challenges (Bird & Bird, 2023).

However, not all methods of hydrogen production are environmentally friendly, posing it to be a significant challenge. Green Hydrogen is produced through electrolysis, which is being powered by renewable energy and sustainable, but it is costly to produce (Internal Energy Agency, 2021). Blue hydrogen is more affordable and relies on carbon technology but it only reduces the amount of carbon emissions, not eliminating it (U.S. Department of Energy, 2023). In contrast, grey hydrogen is the most used hydrogen form that generates significant carbon emissions, undermining the environmental benefits of hydrogen fuel cells (International Energy Agency, 2021).

The versatility of hydrogen fuel cells allows their application to be used across industries, from stationary power plants to transportation (Hyundai Motor Company, 2024-b). For instance, Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells are used in the vehicle Hyundai Nexo, demarcating quick times and high-power density, making them ideal for transportation and other kinds of portable uses (McKinsey & Company, 2023). However, PEM cells are sensitive to fuel impurities, such as carbon monoxide, which limits their broader adoption (Hyundai Motor Company, 2024-a). Other kinds of fuel cells cater to different specific needs. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) operate at high temperatures and are used for stationary  power plants to help in power generation for homes to industrial applications (Bird & Bird, 2023)  . Meanwhile, Alkaline Fuel cells (AFC), are primarily used in the space industry, having demonstrated exceptional efficiency during NASA’s Apollo Missions (Bird & Bird, 2023).

Despite their advantages, hydrogen fuel cells face significant economic infrastructure barriers. For hydrogen production, expensive material like platinum is required, which will lead to cost increments (Hyundai Motor Company, 2024-a). Additionally, the lack of specialized refuelling infrastructure poses a significant challenge, piratically in Southeast Asia countries like Singapore (Bird & Bird, 2023). Singapore’s National Hydrogen Strategy aims to integrate hydrogen into the nation’s energy mix by 2050, which is a positive step forward (Tiwari, 2023). However, high energy inputs are required for production, which remains a bottleneck, slowly adopting despite growing interest in the technology (International Energy Agency, 2021).

Public awareness and understanding of hydrogen fuel cell technology are critical to driving policy changes and investments (Bird & Bird, 2023). A lack of widespread knowledge hinders the faster adoption of this technology, despite its potential for decarbonisation (Tiwari, 2023). Governments and industries must help by focusing on educational campaigns, infrastructure development and technological innovation to foster a supportive environment for hydrogen fuel cells (McKinsey & Company, 2023).

Hydrogen fuel cells offer a promising pathway to reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change. While they present significant environmental and economic benefits, production, cost, and infrastructure challenges must be addressed. With sustained investment and growing global interest, hydrogen fuel cells could be pivotal in transitioning to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.

 

References

Bird & Bird. (2023). Hydrogen policy: Enabling a hydrogen economy. https://www.twobirds.com

Hu, Y. H., Su, H., & Wei, Z. (2023, April 5). An energy breakthrough: Tech researchers create new type of fuel cell. Michigan Technological University.

https://www.mtu.edu

Hyundai Motor Company. (2024-a). Hyundai Mobis invests $1.1 billion for 2 new hydrogen fuel cell system plants in Korea.

 https://www.hyundai.com

Hyundai Motor Company. (2024-b). Hyundai motor premieres commercialized model of its XCIENT fuel cell tractor and vision for hydrogen mobility in US. https://www.hyundai.com

International Energy Agency. (2021). Hydrogen in a clean energy future. https://www.iea.org

McKinsey & Company. (2023). Global energy perspective 2023: Hydrogen outlook.

https://www.mckinsey.com

Tiwari, A. (2023, April 27). Singapore’s national hydrogen strategy: Can hydrogen propel Singapore to net-zero? Reed Smith LLP.

https://www.reedsmith.com

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