The Importance of Green Hydrogen Production

Non-renewable resources like gas, oil, and coal are, by definition, present on the Earth in finite amounts. When harvested and used, they are known to cause damage to the planet. For example, 2.5% of carbon emissions are a direct result of hydrogen production. Not to mention, oil drilling tears down forested areas, fracking technology can result in earthquakes and water pollution, and burning coal pollutes the air.

The numerous issues with non-renewable resources have forced exploration into more environmentally friendly and abundant energy sources. Green hydrogen is one renewable energy source that is being heavily explored.

What Is Green Hydrogen?

Though hydrogen is one of the most abundant elements on Earth, it is rarely found in its free state. It must be extracted from other sources, such as water, biomass, coal, or natural gas. These extracted hydrogen atoms are typically categorized by color, depending on the source of hydrogen. Coal-harvested hydrogen is labeled “brown,” and natural gas-harvested hydrogen is labeled “gray.” The cleanest type of hydrogen is harvested from water and labeled “green hydrogen.”

How Is Green Hydrogen Produced?

Green hydrogen is produced through the electrolysis of water powered by renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power. Electrolysis occurs when electricity is used to split water molecules into individual components: hydrogen and water. Because the electrolysis is powered by renewable energy sources like wind turbines or solar photovoltaics, no carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere. The by-product (oxygen) can be released into the atmosphere harmlessly. Both liquid and gaseous water (i.e. steam) can be used for hydrogen production.

What Can Hydrogen Be Used For?

Clean hydrogen has several implications across the globe, with many experts believing that its use will be necessary to meet decarbonization climate goals. This is because green hydrogen can:

• Be converted into a carrier to store and transport renewable energy.
• Be transported in existing gas pipelines to supply households,
• Fuel cars, trucks, ships, and even airplanes.
• Decarbonize the production of essential chemicals such as ammonia and methanol

Green hydrogen also has the potential to be used across multiple fields in diverse ways, particularly because it can be used for electricity or as a synthetic gas.

Advantages of Hydrogen Energy

Researchers are exploring hydrogen as an energy source due to its many potential benefits. Some of these hydrogen fuel advantages include:

• Hydrogen is an abundant and virtually limitless element, as 90% of all atoms are estimated to be hydrogen.
• The only by-product of green hydrogen is oxygen, so no polluting or greenhouse gases are emitted from its production.
• It can be produced almost anywhere with access to water and electricity.
• Hydrogen is a versatile energy source and chemical feedstock that can be used in many different industries.
• Less hydrogen is needed, as it contains almost three times as much energy as fossil fuels.
• Hydrogen can be easily stored for long periods of time.

Mott’s Commitment to Green Hydrogen

Mott Corp plans to open a new 65,000-square-foot facility that will house at least 100 employees working to develop our clean energy business. This facility will expand our capability to produce custom-designed, green hydrogen engineering solutions. Green hydrogen will also allow us to maintain our dedication to creating tools for our customers by helping rapidly prototype filtration technology.

Though our clean energy facility is new, Mott is no stranger to green hydrogen production. Our porous metal sheets for PEM electrolyzers are a major component of green hydrogen production. Since we have the thinnest titanium PTLS (Porous Transport Layers) in the world, Mott is paving a path for the most cost-effective and efficient green hydrogen production methods. Our innovative experts have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of titanium, ensuring we can create high-end PTLs with lower oxidation rates, superior transport properties, greater compatibility with electrolyzer components, and increased resistance to bending that support the success of our partner’s projects. This is particularly important, as global demand for hydrogen will continue to rise, but very little hydrogen is currently produced sustainably.

The Future of Green Hydrogen Production

We recognize the incredible urgency to create more sustainable energy sources that meet our current and future demands. Mott is a 100% employee-owned company with state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities and innovators dedicated to producing products that are good for our clients and the planet. To see how we can help support your exploration into hydrogen production with our Porous Transport Layers, reach out to our team.