Green Hydrogen
Green hydrogen is defined as hydrogen produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity. This is a very different pathway compared to both grey and blue.
This technology is based on the generation of hydrogen — a universal, light and highly reactive fuel — through a chemical process known as electrolysis. This method uses an electrical current to separate the hydrogen from the oxygen in water. If this electricity is obtained from renewable sources we will, therefore, produce energy without emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Grey hydrogen is traditionally produced from methane (CH4), split with steam into CO2 – the main culprit for climate change – and H2, hydrogen.
Green Hydrogen: Electrolisis
Electrolysis from renewable sources involves breaking down water molecules (H 2O) into oxygen (O 2) and hydrogen (H 2).
- Water used in the electrolysis must contain salts and mineralsto conduct the electricity.
- Electrodes are immersed in the water and connected to a power source and a direct current is applied.
- Dissociation of hydrogen and oxygen occurs when the electrodes attract ions with an opposite charge to them.
- During the electrolysis, an oxidation-reduction reaction occurs due to the effect of the electricity.