For every unit of heat in the natural gas at the start of the process, only 70-75% of that potential heat remains in the hydrogen product. The process of making blue hydrogen also requires a lot of energy. Carbon capture and storage equipment is expensive, raising the price of the fuel, but it at least provides for low-carbon fuel production at a lower cost than green hydrogen. Blue hydrogen is produced using the same reforming process that is used to create grey, brown and black hydrogen, but the CO₂ that would ordinarily be released is captured and stored underground. The process is carbon-neutral, but green hydrogen is very expensive, and is expected to remain so until at least 2030.īut blue hydrogen, it’s hoped, particularly by the US and UK governments, is different. ![]() Green hydrogen, meanwhile, is produced by using zero-carbon electricity – such as that generated by wind turbines or solar panels – to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The process of extracting hydrogen from all of these options emits CO₂ to differing degrees, and so they are not a suitable pathway for reaching net zero emissions with hydrogen. Black hydrogen is produced using bituminous coal – a tar-like substance. Vova Shevchuk/Shutterstockīrown hydrogen uses lignite coal (also known as brown coal, generated over millions of years by compressed peat deposits) or oil. Natural gas (methane) is the fuel of choice for boilers and gas stoves in most places. The CO₂ is often emitted to the atmosphere where it contributes to global heating, and the hydrogen is extracted and used in everything from car engines to boilers, releasing water vapour. Eventually, you get carbon dioxide (CO₂) and hydrogen. This involves combining fossil fuels with steam, and heating them to around 800☌. So what is hydrogen fuel – and what makes it blue?Īccording to the International Energy Agency, 96% of hydrogen produced worldwide is made using fossil fuels – coal, oil and natural gas – in a process known as reforming. In the US, about half of all homes use natural gas for space and water heating. But according to a new report by Cornell and Stanford University researchers in the US, it may be no better for the climate – and potentially a fair bit worse – than continuing to use fossil natural gas, which currently keeps 85% of UK homes warm. ![]() Blue hydrogen is often touted as a low-carbon fuel for generating electricity and storing energy, powering cars, trucks and trains and heating buildings.
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