28%: that’s the total percentage share of anthropogenic greenhouse gases emitted by the transportation industry in the U.S., according to a 2022 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report.
No wonder companies and research specialists are considering hydrogen energy as a viable alternative to traditional fuels for vehicles. But what are the advantages of hydrogen energy? And does its use result in fewer and less harmful vehicle emissions?
If you’re wondering the answers to these questions, you’re in good company.
GlobalMRV here. We examined the research and data on hydrogen energy, and the answer is clear: hydrogen energy holds promise for growth in both the stationary power and transportation sectors.
Curious to find out why? Let’s explore the answer together.
In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits and limitations of hydrogen energy as a resource for industrial and transportation uses, so you can make more informed decisions for your research, manufacturing, and industrial needs.
Let’s dive in.
Table: Advantages and disadvantages of hydrogen energy
| Advantages | Disadvantages | |
| Hydrogen energy | 1. Supports public health and may ensure a cleaner environment 2. Provides increased energy security 3. Hydrogen vehicles produce only water vapor as exhaust, and may be a fruitful alternative to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 4. They can be refueled in just a few minutes, similar to traditional gasoline vehicles. Quick fuel times offer convenience compared to longer EV charging times. 5. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles often provide a longer range on a single tank compared to many battery electric vehicles. 6. Hydrogen can be produced from diverse and renewable resources, potentially supporting sustainable energy strategies. 7. Hydrogen vehicles run silently, reduce noise pollution, and provide a smoother driving experience. | 1. Storing hydrogen energy is expensive. 2. Producing hydrogen energy is time-consuming and challenging. 3. Hydrogen vehicles suffer from a severe shortage of fueling stations compared to gasoline or electric charging points. Therefore, long-distance travel may be somewhat impractical. 4. Both the vehicles themselves and the production of hydrogen fuel are expensive, often due to costly fuel cells and raw materials. The result is limited accessibility for consumers. 5. Producing hydrogen requires significant energy, and if sourced from fossil fuels, the production can lead to high emissions, thereby offsetting environmental benefits. 6. Hydrogen is a gas that’s difficult to store and transport safely and efficiently. Its transportation often requires high-pressure tanks or cryogenic conditions. 7. Hydrogen’s flammability and potential for leaks pose risks, along with issues like electrical shock from fuel cells or corrosion of materials. |
What are some of the benefits of hydrogen energy?
Some of the benefits include:
- Hydrogen can be produced from diverse domestic resources. Said production can support near-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
- Since hydrogen emits only water vapor and warm air, it holds the potential for generating electrical power via fuel cell technologies. Since it emits water vapor and warm air, hydrogen energy can be used to produce other gases and liquid fuels.
- Best of all, because it has a higher energy density than battery-powered energy sources, hydrogen energy can be used for long-distance and heavy-goods transportation. Since hydrogen fuel-powered vehicles emit only water vapor as a byproduct, hydrogen fuel is a potentially carbon-neutral fuel.
Mostly, though, hydrogen energy can help potentially support public health, ensure a cleaner environment, and increase energy security. Let’s explore why.
Supports public health and can ensure a cleaner environment
Emissions from internal combustion engines (ICE) and diesel vehicles, such as nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter, are major sources of pollution.
As such, hydrogen ICEs and hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles (EVs) tend to emit lower amounts of pollutants than gas and diesel-powered engines. The reason is that hydrogen ICEs and EVs produce water and warm air as a byproduct of their use
Using vehicles that emit only water and warm air may be beneficial. With that being said, the benefits may only apply if the hydrogen is derived from low- or zero-emission sources (think solar, wind, or nuclear energy, or fossil fuels with rigorous emissions controls and carbon sequestration), according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Remember how transportation accounts for almost one-third of emissions in the U.S.? We can potentially make that number drop by using hydrogen transportation fuel produced from low- or zero-carbon emission sources, coupled with using quality renewable fuels and thorough energy efficiency audits.
When you combine rigorous emissions testing with the right resources in a controlled, systematic, and evidence-based environment, you create a recipe for a green, cleaner environment.
Increased energy security
The transportation sector accounts for 28% of emissions, as mentioned earlier. Did you know that the lion’s share of emissions comes from petroleum and natural gas production (EIA.gov, 2023)?
Hydrogen energy that’s produced from low- and zero-carbon emission sources may be used to help power fuel cells, internal combustion engine vehicles, and more. Finally, opting for hydrogen energy as an alternative to petroleum resources may offer our nation options for energy usage.
What are some of the limitations of hydrogen energy?
With that being said, despite hydrogen production being touted as a potentially sustainable energy source, several caveats exist, specifically the following:
- Hydrogen energy storage is challenging
- Producing hydrogen energy is costly
Storing hydrogen energy and fuel is challenging
A little science first: hydrogen’s energy content by volume is low. So, storing hydrogen can be challenging, because hydrogen needs to be stored in high-pressure and low-temperature conditions.
Overcoming this challenge is key for light-duty vehicles, because these vehicles are limited in terms of their ability to store large hydrogen fuel reserves. What’s more, because hydrogen is built with lower energy density than other fuels (like gasoline), storing hydrogen can be a challenge.
Especially since hydrogen vehicles use larger tanks, using hydrogen in light-duty vehicles can be challenging. Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles tend to be better suited for hydrogen energy-based fuels, as they are built with more space for larger tanks.
With that being said, using hydrogen may be challenging, as medium- and heavy-duty vehicles are subject to more strict U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) weight restrictions. For example, if the space is used to hold hydrogen and other heavy cargo, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles could exceed US DOT restrictions.
Production costs are higher
Finally, hydrogen fuel cells are more costly than other fuel sources like batteries. The most expensive part of hydrogen fuel cells is the manufacturing of the fuel cell itself.
Finally, the cost of maintaining hydrogen stations needs to decrease for the market to support a hydrogen energy-based economy. At the moment, hydrogen fuel stations are limited in number, which is a potential disadvantage of using hydrogen energy.
Time will tell whether the world adopts hydrogen as a fuel source in the transportation industry. For now, to ensure the viability of hydrogen energy-based systems, the right processes, testing, and verification of emissions must be in place to ensure a safer, cleaner, and greener environment.
A Global moment
As we reflect on the future of our planet, the costs and benefits of a balanced EV and ICEV fleet should be researched at greater length, especially if choosing to use hydrogen energy-based, electricity-powered, or gasoline-powered vehicles.
Neither gas, hydrogen, nor electricity should be abandoned or slowed for sustained engineering progress, but we believe the pros and cons of each energy source as it relates to vehicle emissions need to be better understood by all stakeholders.
Curious to learn more about how we measure and verify vehicle emissions for clean energy usage? Want to learn more about reporting on clean energy use? Visit our Instagram page here.
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