Green Hydrogen Production

Green hydrogen is a form of hydrogen produced using renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar or hydroelectric power, through the process of electrolysis. This involves using electricity to split water (H₂O) into its constituent elements – hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O). The term ‘green’ denotes that the energy used in electrolysis is derived from renewable sources, ensuring that the production of hydrogen does not emit carbon dioxide (CO₂) or other greenhouse gases, making it a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional hydrogen production methods.

The potential uses for green hydrogen are vast and span various sectors and industries making it a versatile and important element in the transition to a sustainable and low-carbon economy.

• Energy Storage and Grid Balancing – During periods of high renewable energy production and low demand, excess energy is used to produce hydrogen through electrolysis. This hydrogen can then be stored and converted into electricity using fuel cells or gas turbines when demand is high or when renewable generation is low.
• Transport – Green hydrogen can be used as a clean fuel for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) including cars, buses, ships and trains. FCEVs produce only water vapour as an emission making them an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles.
• Industrial Processes – Plans are in place for the production of ‘green steel’ using hydrogen thus replacing carbon-intensive coking coal and reducing CO₂ emissions significantly. Hydrogen can also be used a feedstock in the production of ammonia and methanol.
• Power Generation – Existing natural gas turbines or boilers can be modified to run on hydrogen either fully or blended. Hydrogen fuel cells can generate electricity with high efficiency and zero emissions making them suitable for stationary power generation and  (i.e. data centers or remote locations) and mobile applications.

Renewable electricity generation, including from solar and wind energy, is experiencing rapid expansion globally. Green hydrogen facilities will play a pivotal role in supporting this growth through two key routes.

Initially, the fluctuating availability of wind and solar energy in the UK can lead to significant variations in supply, potentially disrupting electricity grids. Green hydrogen plants offer a solution by adjusting production levels in response to the abundance or scarcity of wind and sunlight, thereby helping to stabilise the grid.

Furthermore, hydrogen serves as a valuable medium for long-term energy storage. During periods of high solar or wind output, surplus electricity can be used to increase hydrogen production. This hydrogen can then be stored and later converted back into electricity, providing a reliable source of power during periods of low renewable energy availability, such as in winter.

Thyristors and power controllers play a crucial role in the production of green hydrogen as they ensure the smooth, uninterrupted operation of the electrolyser. This is key to achieving high efficiency and optimising the efficient generation of hydrogen from renewable electricity. So often, in the capture of a renewable energy source, levels can vary greatly, e.g. if the wind levels are too low, wind turbines will not produce the same volume of power compared to windier conditions.  Excess energy can be stored and then used when production levels are low. These fluctuations however can greatly effect the efficiency of the electrolysers during hydrogen production which is why power controllers are so crucial to monitor energy supplies and maintain a steady power stream.