WHERE DOES HYDROGEN COME FROM? One important distinction when discussing the emissions reduction potential of hydrogen fuel cell technology is the way in which the hydrogen is produced. Methods like steam-methane reforming and partial oxidation produce hydrogen using methane as a feedstock, generally from natural gas. According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), steam-methane reforming and partial oxidation produce hydrogen by combining high temperature steam (700 to 1000°C) with methane in the presence of a catalyst. A report by DNV GL titled Assessment of Selected Alternative Fuels and Technologies points out that hydrogen produced in this manner has a well to tank CO2


emissions equivalent of 90


grams per Mega Joule (MJ) which is more than both HFO and MGO. At the writing of this article, the majority of the world’s hydrogen is produced using these methods.


Another method which is gaining attention is the use of electrolysis to produce hydrogen. During the electrolysis process, electricity is used to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen.


This is achieved by a number of different electrolyzers including Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM), Alkaline, and Solid Oxide Electrolyzers which vary in material, production temperature and how reactions take place within the process. Electrolysis is considered “green” when the electricity used to power the equipment comes from renewable energy sources like wind, solar, nuclear, or bio-gas.


Although the Water-Go-Round project is still undecided on its hydrogen supplier and associated hydrogen production method, Dr. Pratt believes that the adoption of 100% renewable hydrogen “will need to occur in steps”. In order to gain widespread adoption, he believes “the solution has to be economically viable…it has to be market driven, not supported by government funding initiatives. Currently, renewable hydrogen is more expensive than conventional hydrogen”.


“While renewable hydrogen is the goal, it doesn’t provide an economically viable solution today”. Dr. Pratt’s current strategy “is to start with the vessel and conventional hydrogen, which can be economically viable, then transition


52 | The Report • September 2019 • Issue 89


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