Hydrogen, considered an alternative fuel by the Energy Policy Act of 1992, is a developing low-carbon fuel with great potential to support the aims of the energy transition. In contrast with conventional fuels, hydrogen is a clean-burning energy source that emits only water vapor and hot air when utilised in a fuel cell. The development of more efficient and environmentally-friendly hydrogen production methods is a central focus of national laboratories, universities, industry partners and related organisations.
The vast majority of hydrogen fuel produced currently is grey hydrogen. It is produced through a carbon-intensive process where a steam methane reforming (SMR) unit combines high-temperature steam with natural gas to convert CH4 to H2 and CO2. Shell Catalysts & Technologies licenses the Shell Blue Hydrogen Process to its customers which integrates carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies to limit the emissions and atmospheric impact of hydrogen production. Hydrogen fuel can also be produced from the electrolysis of H2O using renewable energy. The product of this process is green hydrogen. Although it's a costly production method at present, over the long haul, green hydrogen has great upside as a low-carbon process and fuel to power a future with more and cleaner energy.
