How Does a Hydrogen Generator Work?
It will come as no surprise that Voet Energy Solutions focuses on sustainability. But how do we achieve that in a world that has long relied on diesel generators? We do it with hydrogen generators. Soon, you will be able to rent this sustainable backup power solution from us!
A hydrogen generator works almost the same as a diesel generator. Of course, the key difference is that there’s no diesel in the tank — but hydrogen. When green hydrogen is used, a hydrogen generator is entirely sustainable.
Grey, Blue, and Green Hydrogen
Not all types of hydrogen are CO₂-free. The way hydrogen is produced determines whether it is “clean” or not.
Grey Hydrogen
This type of hydrogen has the greatest negative impact on the environment. Grey hydrogen is made by converting oil, natural gas, or coal into hydrogen and CO₂ — with the latter released directly into the atmosphere.
Blue Hydrogen
Blue hydrogen is produced in the same way as grey hydrogen. The only difference is that the CO₂ is not released into the air but stored underground. This method is more expensive. With both grey and blue hydrogen, you still depend on fossil fuels such as natural gas, coal, or oil.
Green Hydrogen
The production of green hydrogen produces no CO₂ at all. It is made using renewable electricity and water instead of natural gas, oil, or coal. Through electrolysis, renewable electricity and water are converted into hydrogen, releasing oxygen (O₂) into the air. No fossil fuels are needed in the production of green hydrogen.
Applications of a Hydrogen Generator
A hydrogen generator runs optimally when there is a constant power demand — for example, to support the grid or in combination with a Blue Battery Box.
Hydrogen as an Energy Carrier
Hydrogen is not only a fuel but also an energy carrier. This means hydrogen can produce electricity or heat through a chemical or physical process.
Storage and Transport of Hydrogen
Hydrogen is a gas, and gases take up a lot of space. That’s why hydrogen is compressed for storage. It can also be stored in another chemical form, such as ethanol.
Storing hydrogen is a challenge, which currently makes it less user-friendly. In the Netherlands, at the time of writing, there are only eight hydrogen fueling stations. Trials are underway to transport hydrogen through existing natural gas pipelines. Looking ahead, this is a promising solution — the Netherlands aims to be natural gas–free, and with minimal modifications, the gas network can be made suitable for transporting hydrogen.
Research is also being conducted into converting hydrogen into a liquid, which would make it just as easy to transport as other fuels.
Costs
Hydrogen is not sold per liter but per kilogram. At present, one kilogram costs about €9. Compared to driving a car, the price per kilometer is currently between that of petrol and diesel.
