14 May 2024 | Deltabarn Ltd
Green Hydrogen
To enable a transition away from fossil fuels in even the most hard-to-abate sectors, green hydrogen will be an essential tool. But to scale its production quickly, responsibly, and cheaply, we must consider energy efficiency as a key guiding principle.
Incorporating green hydrogen into the energy mix presents severalchallenges, below is a list of insights from real projects:
1. Technological Hurdles:
The production of green hydrogen through electrolysis is not yet fully optimized. Issues such as the low lifetime of electrolyzers (less than five years) and the need for improved overall energy efficiency are significant technological barriers that need to be addressed.
2. Economic Barriers:
The cost of producing green hydrogen is currently higher than that of conventional hydrogen sources. This is due to the high costs of renewable
energy and the inefficiencies in the storage of electricity generated from renewables.
3. Infrastructure Challenges:
The storage and transport of hydrogen are complex due to its high volatility and low density. Developing the necessary infrastructure for handling and transporting hydrogen safely and efficiently is a major challenge.
4. Market Dynamics:
There is a lack of industrial demand for hydrogen, particularly green hydrogen. For it to become a mainstream energy source, there needs to be a significant increase in market demand, which is currently not at the required level.
5. Supply Chain Resiliency:
The rapidly increasing demand for hydrogen to support decarbonization goals is straining existing supply chains for industrial gases. Companies need to adapt quickly to the emerging net-zero-carbon economy, which requires a resilient supply chain capable of handling increased production and distribution of green hydrogen.
6. Principle
Keep It Simple, Stupid!
KISS is a design principle that emphasizes simplicity over complexity.
Most systems work best if they are kept simple. So, simplicity should be a key goal.
KISS is based on the idea that simpler solutions are generally more robust, easier to understand, and less prone to errors.
The principle advocates for a straightforward, minimalistic approach to design and problem-solving. Prioritize the essential features and functionalities, while avoiding over-engineering.It's widely applied in various fields:
+problem-solving in general
+software engineering
+product design
+architecture
KISS is a guiding principle for creating user-friendly, maintainable, and efficient systems or solutions. However these challenges underscore the need for continued innovation, supportive policies, and international collaboration to facilitate the incorporation of green hydrogen as a sustainable energy source.