Thought of the Day: The Final Journey: Recycling and the Rebirth of Hydrogen

In a world seeking balance with its environment, recycling is not just a practice; it's a promise for the future. Hydrogen-powered vehicles—both FCEVs (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles) and HICEVs (Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles)—represent a fascinating chapter in this narrative of sustainability and renewal.

Closing a Cycle: The Legacy of Hydrogen

The magic lies not only in the birth of these vehicles but also in their farewell. Upon reaching the end of their useful life, FCEVs and HICEVs have the opportunity to close a cycle, transforming from simple means of transportation into rich sources of recyclable materials.

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Hidden Treasures: Precious Metals in Fuel Cells

The fuel cell is the heart of the FCEV, and within it lies a hidden treasure: platinum. This precious metal, crucial for converting hydrogen into electricity, not only powers cars but also inspires innovative minds seeking to maximize its recovery at the end of a vehicle's life cycle.

Through advanced chemical and mechanical processes, platinum is recovered with an efficiency of 95% or more, turning old into new. Leading companies like Toyota and Hyundai have implemented buyback programs that ensure these crucial components are not only reused but also pave the way for new generations of vehicles.

Reinvention: From Tanks to New Creations

Hydrogen tanks, made from a durable blend of carbon fiber and composite materials, are not easily discarded. Instead, they undergo a shredding process that allows for the partial reuse of the material in new creations, thus reducing the environmental impact and closing another chapter in the vehicle's life cycle.

A Sustainable Future: The Rebirth

This final journey is more than just dismantling; it's a rebirth. As valuable materials are recycled, the possibility of new beginnings in emerging technologies and sustainable solutions is nurtured.

An Invitation to Change: A Walk Toward the Future

The journey of hydrogen as a fuel is a powerful reminder that every ending can be a new beginning. Hydrogen vehicles not only take us where we need to go, but they also teach us valuable lessons about sustainability and environmental impact.

So, as we gaze toward the horizon of a greener future, let us remember that every hydrogen car that is recycled is a renewed promise toward that dream world. This rebirth speaks not only of a closed cycle; it celebrates the human capacity to innovate and transform the old into something new and bright.

How do you see your role in this process? Will you join the recycling journey, helping to breathe new life into the materials that once powered vehicles full of promise toward a more sustainable future?

Share your thoughts and experiences about hydrogen recycling in the comments. Together, we can inspire meaningful change and create a lasting impact on our world.

A Night of Celestial Capture: An Adventure Journal

 The Supermoon That Refused to Leave

Last night, the sky offered us a spectacle that seemed straight out of an ancient dream: a Supermoon so large and luminous that it appeared to have descended a few steps closer to Earth, as if it wanted to speak to us.

And although its peak had already passed, it remained there, suspended with serene dignity, bathing the rooftops, the trees, and curious faces with a light that was neither entirely white nor entirely golden, but something in between: the color of memories that are never forgotten.

I stopped to look at it for a long time. Not in a hurry, not with the urgency to capture it in a photograph, but with the calm of someone listening to a story told in a soft voice. Because that's what it was: a story. One that spoke of cycles, of tides, of celestial bodies that attract and recede, but always return.

A Closer, More Human Moon

We call it a “supermoon” because its orbit brings it a little closer to us, and its apparent size increases. But what truly expands is our capacity for wonder. In that instant, the Moon ceases to be merely an astronomical object and becomes a mirror of our emotions: nostalgia, tenderness, a yearning for permanence.

From the perspective of Renaissance humanism, the Moon is not just a celestial body: it is an interlocutor. Galileo observed it with his rudimentary lenses and discovered that it had mountains and valleys, that it was neither perfect nor smooth as previously believed. And in that discovery, the sky ceased to be an immutable realm and became a territory shared with us, humankind.

An invitation to pause

Last night, that enormous Moon seemed to remind us of something essential: that even amidst the noise, the screens, the hectic schedules, there is beauty waiting to be contemplated. That looking at the sky is not a luxury, but a necessity of the soul.

And that even when it has passed its highest point, the Moon—like so many precious things in life—continues to shine. Not because it wants to be seen, but simply because it is.

Thought of the Day: Hydrogen: A Global Energy Revolution Towards 2025

Introduction

In recent years, hydrogen has emerged as one of the most promising solutions to address the climate crisis. Since its first mention in an international context during COP25 in Madrid in 2019, we have seen how this element has positioned itself at the center of the debate on sustainable energy. The year 2025 marked fundamental milestones that defined its role in the global energy future.

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The Evolution of Hydrogen

Traditionally used in the steel industry, hydrogen has evolved towards more diverse and sustainable applications. As countries intensified their efforts to combat climate change, different classifications of hydrogen emerged: gray, blue, green, and yellow, each with its own environmental footprint.

- Gray Hydrogen: Produced from natural gas through reforming, it emits CO2 in the process.

- Blue Hydrogen: Similar to gray hydrogen but capturing and storing the resulting CO2 emissions.

- Green Hydrogen: Generated through electrolysis using renewable energy, it is completely emission-free.

- Yellow Hydrogen: Derived from natural gas with the added benefit of carbon capture and storage.

Key Milestones of 2025

The year 2025 witnessed several crucial events that solidified hydrogen as a transformative force in the energy landscape:

1. Hydrogen Americas Summit (Washington): The United States committed to tripling its green hydrogen production, positioning itself as a leader in the adoption of clean technologies.

2. World Hydrogen Summit (Rotterdam): In a historic meeting, 42 countries agreed on a global standard for green hydrogen, facilitating its international trade and certification.

3. Hydrogen Latin America (Santiago, Chile): Brazil launched the "Northeast Hub" initiative, reinforcing its leadership in Latin America with a significant investment in green hydrogen infrastructure.

4. G20 Energy Transitions (Foz do Iguaçu): The Belém Declaration on Hydrogen marked an unprecedented political consensus, laying the groundwork for international collaboration.

5. World Hydrogen Congress (Copenhagen): The "hydrogen passport" was introduced, an innovative tool to ensure traceability and facilitate global hydrogen trade.

6. Pre-COP30 Hydrogen Roundtable (Brasilia): 110 countries signed a letter of intent, committing to establish a global hydrogen market by 2030.

Economic and Technological Impacts

The global adoption of hydrogen has redistributed energy power, transforming new players into green exporters. Technological innovations have enabled successful demonstrations of hydrogen-powered vehicles and ships, showing their viability in reducing emissions.

Impact on Our Daily Lives

- Freight and Maritime Transport: This is the major challenge of decarbonization. Long-haul trucks and ocean-going ships cannot run solely on batteries. Hydrogen and its derivatives (such as green ammonia) are the only viable solution today to decarbonize this sector, which is the backbone of global trade. Announcements of hydrogen-powered ships by 2025 are the spearhead of this revolution.

- Green Industry: Virtually every product we use (from the aluminum in your phone to the cement in your house) has a huge carbon footprint. Hydrogen allows us to produce green steel, green cement, and green chemicals, decarbonizing the foundations of our material civilization.

Production Challenges

Currently, only 0.01% of global production is achieved, and this is expected to reach 15% by 2035.

Institutional Challenges

Establishing global standards has been a key institutional challenge. However, progress by 2025 paved the way for more efficient certification and trade, ensuring that hydrogen meets sustainable criteria.

Looking to the Future

With COP30 in Belém and APEC 2025 in Peru on the horizon, a global hydrogen market with clear rules and technological cooperation is expected to solidify. These events have the potential to further strengthen hydrogen's role in the energy transition.

Conclusion

The year 2025 has been pivotal for the development of hydrogen as a sustainable energy solution. As we move forward, it is crucial to continue fostering international collaboration and technological innovation to maximize its potential in the fight against climate change.

Thought of the Day: What is hydrogen as a fuel?

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and acts as an energy carrier. In fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), it releases electricity and heat, producing only water and steam as byproducts.

Hydrogen Production

Conventional Process: It is mainly produced from natural gas or coal through processes that emit carbon dioxide.

Clean Production (Green Hydrogen): It uses renewable electricity to separate hydrogen from oxygen in water through electrolysis.

Uses of Hydrogen

In vehicles such as buses, trucks, and cars (FCEVs).

It is also used in forklifts and industries such as fertilizer production and refining.

Historical Challenges

Low Efficiency: Only about 25% of the initial energy is usable.

Polluting Production: It is mainly generated using fossil fuels.

High Complexity: Its compression, storage, and transportation are complex processes.

How to Refuel an FCEV

Refueling a fuel cell vehicle is similar to refueling a gasoline car:

A hose is connected to a pressurized tank in the vehicle.

The compressed hydrogen fills the tank in just 3-5 minutes.

Weight and Comparison with Gasoline

Hydrogen is extremely lightweight, with a density of approximately 0.0899 kg/m³. To equal the energy of one liter of gasoline, approximately 1 kg of hydrogen is needed, but storing it requires large, robust tanks.

Flammability of Hydrogen

Yes, hydrogen is volatile and flammable. This necessitates strict safety protocols for its handling and storage.

Performance in Different Climate Conditions

Cold Climates: FCEVs perform well since they do not rely solely on batteries, whose range can be reduced.

Hot Climates: There is a greater risk of expansion in pressurized tanks, but modern systems have safety valves.

There is no specific information on performance at different altitudes.

What is an FCEV?

A Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) is an electric car that generates its own electricity using a fuel cell powered by hydrogen. Unlike conventional battery-powered vehicles, it uses compressed hydrogen stored in tanks to produce energy.

How an FCEV Works

Process: Hydrogen is mixed with oxygen in a fuel cell, which generates electricity.

Byproducts: The only byproduct is water, expelled through the exhaust.

Advantages: It offers a driving experience similar to electric vehicles but with faster refueling and a long range (500 to 666 km).

Current Situation and Outlook

Available Models: The Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo are some models available on the Spanish market. Other manufacturers are developing prototypes.

Infrastructure: The scarcity of hydrogen refueling stations is a challenge, although there are plans to significantly increase their number. Clean Production: To achieve true ecological sustainability, hydrogen must be mass-produced using renewable energy.

The adoption of hydrogen as a fuel faces challenges related to efficiency, cost, and infrastructure, but its potential for sustainable mobility remains significant.