How Is Hydrogen Fuel Already Being Used In The Mainstream?

While technology is rapidly evolving and it seems like a future energy, it’s already here

When it comes to using hydrogen fuel as a form of carbon emission-free energy, we tend to think of it as a technology that remains in its infancy and that may one day power an important part of the future.  That said, there are many areas that are already using H2 and have been doing so for some time.

It’s the green technology that is particularly novel

Hydrogen fuel already has several large applications and is being broadly used. While this use is typically low-carbon or even carbon emission-free, it is still not typically considered a clean form of energy because it is mainly produced using processes powered by natural gas (methane), which is a fossil fuel.

The shift currently underway is from this form of gray H2 toward greener methods, powered by renewable energy or at least involving carbon capture and storage.  Still, as these new production methods come into place, there are areas that have already adopted the use of H2 and could potentially switch to its use in order to boost decarbonization.

Where is hydrogen fuel already being used?

Hydrogen fuel is already being used by a number of industries for various purposes. As H2 production gets cleaner and the fuel becomes more affordable, the number of industries and applications actively using it to power their activities is only expected to grow.

Many people are surprised to discover that some of the top uses of H2 at the moment are in petroleum refining and ammonia production for use as fertilizer. Moreover, transportation and utilities are two industries that are seeing some of the fastest increases in the use of H2 in recent years. Those figures are expected to grow rapidly in coming decades.

Where else is H2 used?

The following are some additional areas already using H2, sometimes for energy, and sometimes for other purposes entirely:

• Metal extraction (from ore)
• Plastics processing
• Paint and varnish processing
• Air transportation and entertainment (used as a lifting agent)
• Acid and base production for the food industry
• Hydrogen peroxide production for medical uses
• Welding (particularly oxyhydrogen welding of steel)
• Glass production
• Rocket fuel (liquid H2)
• Road vehicles using hydrogen fuel cells (trucks, buses, ferries, trains, and heavy equipment)