Hydrogen fuel

What is Hydrogen Fuel?

Adhering to eco-friendly solutions is our only way of battling global warming. Hydrogen plays a huge role in it, as it accompanies one of the best biofuels in the world – hydrogen fuel.

Hydrogen Fuel: Definition

Hydrogen fuel is an environmentally friendly solution that only leaves clean water after producing electricity. It can also be produced in a broad variety of ways, including natural gas, nuclear power, biomass, solar, and wind. Thus, it is essential in the green energy transition and valuable during decarbonisation. Hydrogen fuel definition makes it a great option for cars, homes, and industrial plants.

Development of the Term

In 1766, Henry Cavendish became the first man to recognise it as a substance. Only in 1788, Antoine Lavoisier named it hydrogen, combining Greek words for water and born.

Welsh scientist William Grove was the front-runner in answering the question “What is hydrogen fuel?”. In 1839, he showcased the first H2 power source cell. Later, Ludwig Mond and Charles Langer coined the term itself in 1889. Their efforts were what gave the definition of biofuels a concrete foundation.

Now, we produce it in several methods:

• thermal;
• electrolytic;
• solar-driven;
• biological.

The most common of these are a thermal process, also called natural gas reforming, and electrolytic. Up to 95% of all that fuel is made through the natural gas reforming approach. The other two methods have potential, and will surely be found in the decarbonisation definition in the future.