Hydrogen produced by electrolysis as the fuel of the future

According to experts, hydrogen produced by electrolysis from water is a great hope for the future. For the time being, however, the limited possibilities of its transport over longer distances prevent it from its wider use. That's why leading carriers are working on a solution. They are proposing a new generation of ships that would transport hydrogen at very low temperatures around the world. The new generation of ships can thus be one of the biggest technological challenges of the next decade. The use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel can help meet the goals of climate neutrality. However, there are several problems in the way. One of the biggest challenges is keeping hydrogen frozen at −253 degrees Celsius. This is almost one hundred degrees less than the temperature at which liquefied natural gas (LNG) is transported. This is the lowest possible value at which the hydrogen remains in liquid form, without the risk of the transport container bursting. The Japanese ship Kawasaki Heavy Industries built the world's first frozen hydrogen ship. Her vessel has already undergone the necessary naval tests, and this year the first 9,000-kilometer-long test voyage from Australia to Japan should take place. The prototype will run on diesel, but will later switch to emission-free hydrogen fuel. Production of the commercial carrier, which should go into operation in 2030, is scheduled to begin by 2025. The South Korean company Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, for example, is also working on the production of a commercial vessel. As part of the project, it is developing new high-strength steel as well as new welding technologies that will reduce the risk of rupture of pipes or tanks. Another possible solution was chosen by the Norwegian transport company Wilhelmsen Group, whose ship, which will transport liquid hydrogen using containers or special trailers, should be operational by the first half of 2024. The demanding technology of shipping frozen hydrogen brings with it financial demands for implementation. The price can range from 50 to 240 million US dollars, depending on the size of the hydrogen tank. According to McKinsey consultants, the total planned investment to introduce hydrogen into the energy sector could reach several hundred billion dollars by 2030. More than 30 countries have recently announced their plans for the energy use of hydrogen. Canada wants to become one of the world's three largest producers of hydrogen. The Canadian government has therefore published its hydrogen strategy, which envisages support for private investors of up to tens of billions of dollars and the creation of 350,000 jobs. In March of this year, Canada concluded an agreement on the supply of Canadian green hydrogen to Germany, which will lack electricity to produce this fuel of the future due to the rapid shutdown of nuclear and coal-fired power plants. Germany should also purchase liquefied Canadian LNG until reliable hydrogen transport technologies are available. Both countries want to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The energy use of hydrogen is also supported by the European Commission, which last July announced a strategy to promote green hydrogen until 2050. It is an investment that is close to 500 billion euros.