Hydrogen is an odourless, and invisible gas. It is a clean fuel and produces only water when consumed in a fuel cell.

Using hydrogen gas produces no carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution. It can be used to power fuel cells (devices that generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction), used for electricity or burned in a boiler or vehicle engine. As such, it is a zero-carbon, versatile fuel that can be used to power cars, lorries, buses, and trains, it can be used for domestic and commercial heating and also generate the energy needed for complex industrial processes such as steel production and manipulation.

We hear most often now about ‘blue’ and ‘green’ hydrogen. Blue hydrogen is produced when natural gas is split into hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and the carbon dioxide is captured and then stored. On the other hand, green hydrogen is produced by splitting water using electrolysis. This produces only hydrogen and oxygen. However: for electrolysis electricity is needed, meaning of course that power is required. Therefore, the process of generating green hydrogen should be powered by renewable energy sources like wind, or solar. This makes green hydrogen the cleanest option.

A low-carbon hydrogen economy could deliver emissions savings equivalent to the carbon captured by 700 million trees by 2032, the government claims. It would help decarbonise polluting industries such as chemical production and oil refining and heavy transport such as shipping and rail.

For more information about alternative energy sources, sustainability, energy management, carbon accounting and carbon reporting, or would like some guidance on our journey to net zero, please call Pro Enviro on 01788 538150, or email us on info@proenviro.co.uk