Power Solutions for Green Hydrogen Production
The Green Hydrogen revolution is in full swing and we are honoured to be heading up some exciting projects in this field with our partners, Advanced Energy.
Electrolysis of water is the process used to create Green Hydrogen, a clean and renewable energy source that is fast becoming part of the clean energy spectrum.
A hydrogen production system uses an electrolyser, a process that require robust and reliable power supply solutions. This is where our expertise comes into play. We provide dependable AC-DC power systems that are essential in ensuring the smooth, uninterrupted operation of these electrolysers, playing a key role in the production of green hydrogen.
The demand for clean, sustainable energy sources is growing at an ever-increasing rate as geo-politics commits to a zero emissions future so we are proud to be part of the Green Hydrogen solution and contribute in some small way to a cleaner planet.
How is Green Hydrogen Produced?
There are several methods of producing hydrogen, the key method being electrolysis. Electrolysis uses electricity to split water molecules into Hydrogen and Oxygen gases and if the electricity stems from renewable sources, the subsequent hydrogen is therefore labelled as ‘green’. The water passes through an electrolyser which contains two electrodes; the cathode is the negative electrode to which hydrogen ions are attracted and gain electrons to form hydrogen gas. The positive anode is where oxidation occurs. At the anode, water molecules lose electrons forming oxygen gas.
An external power source is connected to the electrodes so that when electricity flows through the circuit, it provides the energy needed to drive the chemical reactions at the electrodes. This causes the water molecules to dissociate into hydrogen and oxygen gases at their respective electrodes; Hydrogen forms at the cathode and accumulates there, while oxygen is released at the anode.
Explore Our Power Control Systems Required for Green Hydrogen Production
As an official distributor of Advanced Energy products, Control Metrix offer a first-class range of dependable AC-DC power supply solutions that are vital to ensure the electrolysers are supplied with a consistent, uninterrupted supply of power.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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Green Hydrogen
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