In conjunction with the rest of the world shifting into another gear to adopt clean energy solutions, hydrogen is single-handedly changing the landscape of clean energy. By powering various forms of transportation and even heavy-duty industries, the use of hydrogen as fuel can replace fossil fuels at many levels. Nonetheless, hydrogen’s sustainability and production are highly dependent on one important element: water.  

By knowing the connection between hydrogen and water, we refine its potential and, at the same time, conserve it. 

Hydrogen is one of the Clean Energy Sources 

Clean hydrogen includes a myriad of hydrocarbons, which can be produced through different processes. The best known to be the most sustainable is the ones that uses electrolysis, splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, often referred to as “Green Hydrogen”, and is produced from renewable sources such as wind and solar. This process emits no greenhouse gas whatsoever and this makes it a strong contender to replacing transport, manufacturing and electricity industries’ reliance on fossil fuels. 

Blue hydrogen—produced from natural gas with carbon capturing—has come up to be another form alongside grey hydrogen, which makes use of fossil fuels and does not use carbon capture. While also hydrogen is sourced from fuel, these methods pose a conundrum of sustainability. 

The Importance of Water in Hydrogen Production 

The process of producing hydrogen contributes positively to the environment. However, it has areas of concern, such as the above-mentioned freshwater consumption. Regions where water is scarce may face challenges due to the requirement of freshwater in electrolysis. Technology is changing this by doing the following: 

• There is no longer dependence on freshwater as seawater electrolysis is now being implemented. 
• Water can now be pulled out of thin air for hydrogen production with the new Atmospheric Water Generation system. 
• Less water is needed for hydrogen generation through improved electrolysis efficiency. 

Sustainable Water Management Strategies for Hydrogen Production 

As a desired goal, hydrogen should be a readily available energy source, but to ensure this, limitlessly efficient methods of wasteful water management need to be put in place. These include: 

• Minimizing wastage through the combination of water recycling systems and hydrogen production frameworks. 
• Bringing renewable energy powered evidence of dried up water sources to areas where there is limited freshwater to access through powered desalination plants stationed in. 
• Implementing circular water systems to replace water used in industrial cooling and irrigation in electrolysis. 

The Outlook on the Sustainability of Hydrogen and Water   

Sustained innovation and collaboration determine the future of hydrogen. Private companies and governments are putting funds into research that aims to improve the methods of producing hydrogen without jeopardizing water resources. Water-splitting technologies that photocatalyst to imitate photosynthesis are being researched to produce hydrogen with larger efficiency and lower water use. 

Besides, using excess energy from the production of hydrogen for the desalination of seawater powered by hydrogen is on the rise. 

Final Thoughts   

The amount of hydrogen energy used exposes its pros and cons depending on the surge of pollution levels. This focus alleviates the problem of water use and creates a balance between energy demands and water supply. Indeed, with the development of new technologies that minimize water use, increase funding towards eco- friendly ways, closed loop water systems, and construct water solutions, hydrogen can be regarded as a clean energy alternative. However, achieving that goal means we have to do more,” said a spokesperson from Oxydus, which strives to break the record for multi-functional solutions targeting sustainable water use. 

This statement reiterates that with limitless possibilities emerging to resolve water problems, there comes a paved path for a cleaner and better world.