Hydrogen is a valuable asset and is being utilized in modern day at an exponential rate. Its popularity as a fuel is due to the clean exhaust and renewability of it as a fuel. Hydrogen is found all over the world as water. Its recent use in portable fuel cells has sparked a race in the scientific and research community. Fuel cells are capable of providing far more power than a standard battery and releases 50% less emissions. Carbon dioxide and other pollutants are nonexistent with hydrogen fuel. Hydrogen renewable energy can be produced via biomass, natural gas and water. Natural gas is the most cost effective raw material. Many countries such as Europe have begun adopting hydrogen as a renewable energy source. Hybrid cars are becoming more and more common as petroleum and diesel prices rise. Hydrogen renewable energy can be used to even power small houses. A residential hydrogen power unit can utilize tap lines or natural gas lines to create enough power to keep the house running continuously. The electrolysis process by which hydrogen is created has some known waste products which can be detrimental to the environment. Hydrogen is extremely volatile and if released can create large amounts of carbon dioxide. The benefits of using fossil fuels in production help to create hydrogen at fast and economical rate unlike biomass and electrolysis of water.
Steam reforming uses natural gas and fossil fuels. The energy required is significantly less than any other hydrogen resource available. Hydrogen fuel cells are the most important product from hydrogen production. These batteries are used to power up high end generators and vehicles as mentioned. Each generator and vehicle is outfitted with an electrolysis system to break down hydrogen. The standard electrolysis of water can produce 50%-80% of energy from 1kg of hydrogen and required 50 to 80 kWh.
The cleanest means by which hydrogen renewable energy can be produced is by photo electrochemical water splitting. Water is broken down via electrolysis into hydrogen and oxygen. A light sensitive cell is utilized to create a process known as artificial photosynthesis. This process produces absolutely zero carbon dioxide and nitrogen and produces extremely pure hydrogen. However the machinery and cells needed for this process are extremely expensive rendering this process unfeasible for industrial use. Hydrogen will expand as a renewable energy source. It is only limited by the cost of production.