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.