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The decarbonization of hydrogen promises to be the event that will be the turning point of an era compared to the Industrial Revolution. Green hydrogen could mean the end of CO2 pollution. Read more.

Given that it does not produce CO2, green hydrogen could soon be the planet's salvation!

Hydrogen is the chemical element present throughout the universe. It is clean energy that can exist in a liquid state releasing water (H2O) in the form of vapor without producing carbon dioxide (CO2).

An electrolyzer is required to break down the water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen to produce green hydrogen. This chemical process is known as "electrolysis".

5 benefits of green hydrogen:

1. 100 % sustainable: Abundant in nature, it does not emit polluting gases during combustion and also evaporates easily.
2. Storable: Easy and low cost when transported by land, air, or sea immediately after its production. 
3. Versatile: It can be transformed into electricity or synthetic gas and used for commercial, industrial, or mobility purposes, with the same efficiency as fossil fuels (i.e., excellent performance as a fuel for aircraft, ships, and land vehicles).
4. Real-time monitoring: Remote control of green hydrogen operations consumes less energy with a simplified workforce.  
5. Potential failures: Better optimization of electrolysis machine timing (when not following the goals) can avoid unexpected consequences if compared to gray or blue hydrogen losses.

The other two other types of hydrogen:

• Gray Hydrogen: is produced from natural gas, but the process, called "steam reforming," is polluting, meaning 10 kg of CO2 for every kilogram of hydrogen. 
• Blue Hydrogen: less polluting than Gray because its resulting CO2 is captured and stored immediately. It emits between 1 and 3 kg of CO2 per kilogram of hydrogen.

Brazil already has become one of the world leaders in green hydrogen production.

Brazil is one of the world’s largest producers of eolic and solar energy, with an integrated electric grid very efficient. 

Brazil is one of the most powerful global clean energy generators with a current installed capacity of 175 GW. It means that soon the country might become one of the world's leaders in green hydrogen supply.  

IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency), states that, "to produce 409 million tons of green hydrogen, annually (12% of global energy demand), it will be necessary to consume between 7 billion and 9 billion cubic meters of water."

One great step to take: fostering the biogas

One of the production methods for green hydrogen in biogas generation is the "dry reforming" by taking the methane and carbon dioxide present in the gas.

Another step: green electricity from green hydrogen!

According to green hydrogen researchers, the production of Hydroelectricity is one of the primary sources of renewable electricity worldwide. This technique transforms the power of water into electric current in hydropower plants installed on natural water courses or dams.

Finally, to produce green hydrogen globally will be needed approximately no more than 0.25% of freshwater. It seems to be a huge volume, given that water is still a misused resource. Nonetheless, the positive outcome will make it up for only an apparent loss.

Conclusion

Green hydrogen is the revolutionary decarbonization solution for the industrial, chemical, and transportation sectors of the planet. This transition can be made viable in the medium term, if some obstacles are overcome, such as resistance from the oil sector. Ban once and for all the use of CO2, which affects the environment and people's health so much. Nature thanks you.

By Marco Veado - THINK GREEN