What are the uses of hydrogen?

Today, hydrogen is primarily used as raw material in industries and as such it has played an important role for a very long time. It is, among other things, used in refineries and in the production of ammonia.

As a carrier of energy hydrogen is not yet in common use, although it has great potential. Hydrogen has many different uses. When mentioned in the context of being a carrier of energy, it is often as transport fuel. The major car manufacturers devote a great deal of resources towards developing fuel cell vehicles that can be mass produced economically. There are also hydrogen driven vehicles with combustion engines instead of fuel cells.

However, the combination of hydrogen and fuel cells is not only used in vehicles. It can also generate heat and electricity for buildings. In order to decrease the vulnerability of the telephone network, in connection with storms or other disturbances, this technology can be used in reserve power systems for base stations or telephone switchboards. This is a more environmentally friendly system than today’s use of diesel engines, and a more reliable option with longer backup time compared to using batteries.

Fuel cells can be used together with hydrogen to power portable technology such as cell phones, laptops and cameras. This creates the advantage of longer runtime compared to when using batteries. The fuel cells also increase mobility and independence, since charging is not limited by the power grid. Instead, your portable devices can be charged anytime, anywhere. The fuel cell powering solutions have high power density and are small in size. Another advantage is that a fuel cell can be refuelled faster than a battery is recharged. The hydrogen that fuels the fuel cell can for example be stored in a small container, easily replaced once empty.

Another potential use of hydrogen and fuel cells is in so called stand-alone systems for communities which completely lack connection to power distribution networks, and where the cost of expanding power lines are high. Since 40 percent of the world’s population lives in such areas, the need for stand-alone systems is high. The term ‘stand-alone’ is used to describe energy systems that are independent of the power grid when it comes to producing electricity. The energy can be obtained from sun or wind power, and can be stored and used locally. Under such conditions the advantages of hydrogen are that it is reliable and, when used in combination with renewable energy sources, it does not create any pollution.

On the island of Utsira, on the Western coast of Norway, there is since 2004 such a system supplying energy through wind power and fuel cells. Ten households on the island have since then had a secure power supply to their houses, independent of the mainland. The traditional method of obtaining electricity and heating in places like Utsira is by having one’s own diesel generator.

Did you know that…?

• In order for hydrogen to power a car, or to obtain heat and electricity for a house, an energy transformer is required. It could be a fuel cell, a combustion engine or a gas turbine.
• The hydrogen and fuel cell technique has recently had a commercial breakthrough in the reserve power field.
• Fuel cells can be an important complement to the battery in order to increase the potential of rechargeable hybrid vehicles.