Hydrogen: The New Energy Source to Replace Oil and Gas in the Future.

Hydrogen Fuel – The Future Alternative to Oil and Gas

Hydrogen fuel is a zero-emission energy source, produced by burning pure hydrogen gas in the air.

It’s no coincidence that Australian Prime Minister John Howard, host of this year’s APEC summit, chose climate change (caused by emissions) as the central topic. Nor was it mere performance when, back in 2003, U.S. President George W. Bush decided to invest in a new energy source—hydrogen—and the world’s leading automobile manufacturers rushed into the field. This marks a new vision not only for the energy sector…

A new energy source: hydrogen (H₂).
Hydrogen is a gas with the highest combustion temperature of all natural fuels and has been used as propellant in space rockets. Its key characteristic is that the hydrogen molecule contains no other chemical elements—no carbon (C), sulfur (S), or nitrogen (N)—so its only combustion byproduct is water (H₂O), making it an ideal clean fuel.

Hydrogen – An Infinite and Environmentally Friendly Energy Source

Hydrogen is a safe fuel that poses no environmental hazards to humans, unlike nuclear energy, which has caused numerous radioactive leaks in recent years.

Honda FCX (2006) used to hydro enegy. (Automobilemag)

Notable Nuclear Incidents Worldwide:

These include the radioactive leak on March 28, 1979, at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant (Pennsylvania, USA); the nuclear reactor explosion on April 26, 1986, at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (Ukraine, formerly part of the Soviet Union); the September 30, 1999, accident at the Tokaimura nuclear fuel reprocessing plant (Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan), which exposed 119 people to radiation; and the August 9, 2004, rupture of a hot water and steam pipe at the Mihama Nuclear Power Plant (Fukui Prefecture, Japan), which killed five workers.

In 2006, another fire occurred at the same plant. Most recently, after the 6.8 magnitude Chuetsu earthquake on July 16, 2007, a serious radioactive leak was reported at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant (Niigata Prefecture, Japan), the largest of its kind in the world.

Approximately 400 barrels of nuclear waste were damaged, and some radioactive liquid leaked into the sea, forcing the plant to shut down for at least one year for inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Additionally, numerous other concerns remain, such as nuclear waste management, the risk of nuclear materials falling into the hands of terrorists, and conflicts over nuclear technology monopolies held by a few countries versus the push to break that monopoly.


Hydrogen – An Infinite Energy Source

Hydrogen is produced from water and solar energy, thus often referred to as “solar hydrogen.” Both water and sunlight are infinite and available everywhere on the planet. Solar energy is abundant and eternal—around 3×10²⁴ joules per day, approximately 100 times more than the world’s total annual energy consumption. Therefore, solar hydrogen is a truly limitless fuel source that can be used for centuries without fear of depletion, ensuring energy security and independence for all nations—without the monopolization or conflict seen with fossil fuels.

There are two main methods for producing solar hydrogen:

  1. Water electrolysis using solar electricity from solar cells.

  2. Photoelectrochemical water splitting using sunlight and photocatalysts.

In both methods, the reaction is:
H₂O → H₂ + ½ O₂

Since 1960, General Electric has produced hydrogen fuel cell systems to power NASA’s Apollo missions, followed by the Apollo-Soyuz, Skylab, and Space Shuttle programs. Today, fuel cells continue to power space shuttles and stations, as both hydrogen and oxygen are onboard. Interestingly, fuel cells not only provide electricity but also generate ultra-pure drinking water for astronauts, as water is the only byproduct.


Hydrogen as a Replacement for Gasoline in Transportation

Many prototypes of hydrogen-powered cars (hydrogen vehicles) and hybrid vehicles combining hydrogen internal combustion engines with electric motors—collectively known as Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs)—have been showcased at international auto shows by manufacturers such as Honda, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz.

Japan announced that by 2008, ZEV models such as the Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, and Honda Insight would be on the road. By April 2007, the U.S. had around 200 hydrogen-powered cars and buses in operation. Recently, a hydrogen-fueled car completed a 4,000 km test drive across Australia, proving that vehicles can run safely and pollution-free without gasoline.


Hydrogen as an Energy Source for Electricity Generation

Hydrogen can be used to generate electricity as a replacement for fossil fuels via fuel cells. These operate in reverse to hydrogen production: when hydrogen and oxygen are combined under specific conditions, they generate water and electrical energy.

Fuel cells are open systems—continuous input of hydrogen and oxygen results in a steady output of water and electricity for as long as supply is maintained. Thus, fuel cells act as real electricity generators, using only hydrogen and oxygen as inputs and emitting only water.

No generators, no massive turbines, no moving parts, no noise, no exhaust. Hydrogen fuel cells can produce electricity anywhere, at any scale—from a few watts to hundreds of megawatts—serving remote areas, power stations, high-rise buildings, or entire cities without relying on massive power plants or national grids. Consumers can produce their own electricity. This could break the monopoly on electricity production and distribution.


The Hydrogen Economy Will Replace the Fossil Fuel Economy

A new energy revolution is underway.

Hydrogen and fuel cells are the keys to solving air pollution and global climate change—issues directly tied to fossil fuel use.

A hydrogen-based economy will emerge, similar to the rise of the oil and gas economy, requiring fundamental infrastructure changes. The energy production model will shift from exploration and extraction to solar-based manufacturing. New systems for storage, transport, and delivery must be built. Engines must be redesigned for hydrogen, entirely different from gasoline and diesel systems.

New technical standards, safety regulations, and legal frameworks must be created. Education, training, and research will need updated content and facilities, distinct from today’s fossil-based systems. Pollution from hydrogen use will no longer drain research budgets or dominate global climate conferences.

This comprehensive shift marks a true revolution—on par with the industrial revolution triggered by the invention of the steam engine and coal use.


Oil and Gas Are Not Infinite

Few imagine being stranded due to a lack of gasoline. Yet, according to recent assessments, total global fossil energy reserves (oil, gas, coal) are approximately 1,279 GTCE (Giga Tonnes Coal Equivalent), including:

  • Oil: ~329 GTCE

  • Natural Gas: ~198 GTCE

  • Coal: ~697 GTCE

At current consumption rates:

  • Oil (5.5 GTCE/year) will last ~42 years,

  • Gas (3.0 GTCE/year) ~65 years,

  • Coal (4.1 GTCE/year) ~170 years.

And this doesn’t even account for increasing yearly demand, which shortens these lifespans further.


Oil and Gas Are Not Harmless

Fossil fuels contain elements like carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), and sulfur (S). Coal often includes radioactive uranium (U) and thorium (Th). Burning coal releases significant radioactive materials. In 2000 alone, the world released about 12,000 tons of thorium and 5,000 tons of uranium into the atmosphere.

The use of fossil fuels has left humanity and our planet with serious and lasting consequences.

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