GREEN HYDROGEN FROM
SOLAR POWER
Renewable Energy Sources
138-2020 ساره السيد الهريجي
تحت اشراف
ندى ابوالعنين.د.أ
خالد سمير.د.أ
The Role of Green Hydrogen from Solar Power
In today’s rapidly evolving energy landscape, a cleaner, greener future has become both a necessity
and an opportunity. As the world grapples with climate change, finding energy sources that don’t
rely on fossil fuels is essential. Enter green hydrogen, a renewable energy superstar, with the
potential to transform industries, transportation, and the way we think about sustainable energy.
The Hydrogen Spectrum
Hydrogen’s journey from fossil-fuel-dependent origins to a sustainable energy source is a
fascinating one. Traditionally, most hydrogen comes from gray hydrogen production, which
relies on fossil fuels and results in carbon dioxide emissions. Blue hydrogen makes strides by
capturing and storing CO₂, but still involves natural gas as a primary feedstock.
However, green hydrogen breaks free from these carbon-based processes. By using renewable
energy sources like solar to produce hydrogen, we can eliminate greenhouse gases in the
production phase altogether. This hydrogen is produced through electrolysis, where electricity
from a clean source like solar is used to split water (H₂O) into hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂).
The Science of Green Hydrogen Production
Creating green hydrogen from solar energy is both elegant and direct:
1. Solar Power Generation: Sunlight is harnessed by photovoltaic (PV) panels to create
electricity. With the right sunlight and advanced PV technology, these panels can convert
solar energy directly into the electricity required for electrolysis.
2. Water Electrolysis: The electricity from solar panels powers an electrolyzer, a device
designed to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Inside the electrolyzer, water molecules
break down, releasing pure hydrogen gas and oxygen. This is where green hydrogen truly
stands out: no emissions, just a clean separation of elements.
3. Hydrogen Capture and Storage: Once produced, hydrogen can be stored and later used
in fuel cells for power, in industrial processes, or even as fuel for transportation. Though
storage challenges remain, especially due to hydrogen’s low energy density, advancements
in compression and liquefaction are making it more feasible.
Applications and Potential of Green Hydrogen
Green hydrogen’s versatility gives it appeal across multiple sectors:
• Transportation: Hydrogen fuel cells can power vehicles without any emissions, offering
a compelling alternative to battery-electric vehicles, especially for long-haul transport.
• Industrial Use: Sectors like steel and cement production, which are notoriously difficult
to decarbonize, can leverage hydrogen as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels.
• Power Generation: Hydrogen can be converted back to electricity in fuel cells, providing
clean power when and where it’s needed, serving as a critical asset for energy storage.
Efficiency, Cost, and Infrastructure
To truly integrate green hydrogen into our energy system, a few hurdles must be cleared:
1. Efficiency: Current solar panels and electrolyzers lose some energy as heat, meaning that
only a fraction of the original solar energy is stored in the produced hydrogen.
2. Cost: High costs of PV panels and electrolyzers still make green hydrogen pricier than
fossil-based options, but advancements and economies of scale are driving prices down.
3. Infrastructure: Scaling up hydrogen production requires a network to safely store,
transport, and deliver hydrogen—something that currently exists in limited capacity but is
seeing growing investment.
Conclusion
Green hydrogen, powered by solar energy, stands poised to become a vital part of our global energy
ecosystem. With zero emissions from production to end-use, it promises a cleaner and more
flexible energy source that can help meet ambitious climate goals.
References
1. Hydrogen Council. (2023). Hydrogen Insights Report: Understanding the Role of
Hydrogen in the Future of Energy.
2. International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). (2022). Green Hydrogen: A Guide
to Policy-Making.
3. International Energy Agency (IEA). (2023). The Future of Hydrogen: Opportunities and
Challenges.
