Clean Energy‐Based Production of Hydrogen: An Energy Carrier

Abstract

Abstract In the context of a global energy market with rising demand along with an increasing aversion to greenhouse gas ( GHG ) emissions, the demand for clean energy production and, in particular, environmentally benign energy carriers and storage media are considerable. In this article, the production of hydrogen as a clean energy storage medium is addressed from a techno‐economic perspective. Furthermore, emphasis is placed upon hydrogen production channels that can facilitate large‐scale production and significant GHG mitigation at a relatively moderate cost. A number of hydrogen pathways are considered, which include wind‐powered electrolytic hydrogen production, biohydrogen production via gasification and pyrolysis, steam methane reforming ( SMR ) with and without carbon capture and sequestration ( CCS ), and underground coal gasification ( UCG ) with and without CCS . This article presents a holistic discussion of the salient techno‐economic trade‐offs and implications, challenges, and competitive advantages, as well as the environmental footprint pertaining to each hydrogen pathway.

Keywords

Identifiers

DOI

10.1002/9781118991978.hces199

Journal

Handbook of Clean Energy Systems

Year

2015