There are so many different reasons to love hydrogen both as a fuel and as an element. Aside from being one of the most abundant substances in the entire universe, the simplicity of hydrogen atoms makes them easy to manipulate and control. They can bond readily with many other elements and make up two-thirds of the composition of water.
For use as a fuel, hydrogen has one incredible benefit above most other types of fuel. When it is burned, the hydrogen creates heat that can be used to generate electricity. However, unlike fossil fuels which release carbon into the air or nuclear reactors which leave spent radioactive material, hydrogen bonds with the oxygen in the air and leaves behind only water. It does release a negligible amount of nitrogen oxides, but they are far less damaging than almost any other fuel option.
There are many different types of hydrogen fuel cells in development. Some of these use compressed hydrogen in liquid form, others use proprietary dry fuel cells that are very similar to batteries.
Even through hydrogen is in water, and even though it is massively abundant in the universe, it is rarely found in a pure form. Hydrogen is almost always part of some larger molecule. This means that hydrogen must be extracted in some way from another source. This required energy meaning that it takes energy to create energy. The key will be to make sure the amount required to harvest hydrogen is less than what the hydrogen is capable of.
The most popular method for extracting hydrogen is a process that uses methane gas and a machine called a reformer. By using heat, catalysts and other absorbent materials hydrogen can be extracted from methane. However, a more promising technology uses renewable resources such as solar and wind power to generate electrical charges that can strip hydrogen atoms from water molecules.
We love hydrogen because it contains the promise of a future where engines run clean, fuel is abundant and no harmful contaminants are released into the environment.
