Sustainability

Energy

Hydrogen

Why hydrogen?

Hydrogen is a carrier that satisfies the above-mentioned requirements, in fact:
• it is a gas that burns in the air according to a simple reaction: hydrogen plus oxygen equal water and heat, resulting in the production of pure water
• it can be produced from fossil sources, renewable sources and nuclear sources
• it can be distributed into the network quite easily according to its end use and the development of transport and storage technologies
• it can be used for different applications (centralized or distributed electric energy production, heat generation, engine propulsion) with no or extremely reduced environmental impact.
Therefore we can say that hydrogen is the ideal component of a future sustainable energy system. It gives an incentive to the widespread use of renewable sources, but already in the short-medium term it will make fossil fuels compatible with environmental needs.
Its characteristics make hydrogen complementary to electricity (which is another energy carrier), although the former can be accumulated and transported. Hydrogen, then, can pave the way to renewable energy sources distributed all around the world, by providing Third World countries with the chance to export energy and be more independent from fossil fuel exporting countries.