As the world moves to a low carbon future, hydrogen has been widely considered as an energy vector to support this. In 2020, the majority of hydrogen was produced from fossil fuels which results in direct carbon emissions. Therefore, alternative hydrogen production methods are critical to meet hydrogen demand and achieving net zero by 2050.

One of the major alternative production methods is water electrolysis, a process using electricity derived from low carbon power sources to produce hydrogen and oxygen.

The Energy CoP's project on electrolytic hydrogen is aligned with five of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (numbers 7, 9, 11, 12 and 13) and the IChemE Learned Society priority topic, responsible production.

Project objectives

The project will deliver an evidence-based position on the technical work programme required to develop the use of electrolytic hydrogen in support of executing net zero economies. The objectives of the project are as follows:

1. To develop a critical analysis of existing state-of-the-art technologies within the production, supply, and use of electrolytic hydrogen.
2. To develop a position on the required to develop the use of electrolytic hydrogen in support of net zero economies.

Outputs 

The outputs of the project will be as follows:

1. A report presenting the technologies and their merits, challenges and gaps in knowledge.
2. A webinar open to all IChemE members to demonstrate the details within the report.

Timescales

The project group has been formed, and is due to complete the report and host a webinar sharing the key outcomes of the report in Q4 2022.

Get involved 

Applications to join the project group have closed, however before the report is published it must be peer reviewed. If you have the relevant technical background and wish to peer review the report, please contact energy@icheme.org and state why you are interested in peer reviewing. This process is anticipated to start in late Q3.

More information

If you have any questions or wish to contribute to this project as a corresponding contributor or a peer reviewer, please email energy@icheme.org.