Use of Hydrogen as Fuel: A Trend of the 21st Century

Charles Bronzo Barbosa Farias,Alessandro Alberto Casazza,Milena Fernandes Da Silva,Leonie Asfora Sarubbo,Robson Carmelo Santos Barreiros,Attilio Converti

doi:10.3390/en15010311

Abstract

The unbridled use of fossil fuels is a serious problem that has become increasingly evident over the years. As such fuels contribute considerably to environmental pollution, there is a need to find new, sustainable sources of energy with low emissions of greenhouse gases. Climate change poses a substantial challenge for the scientific community. Thus, the use of renewable energy through technologies that offer maximum efficiency with minimal pollution and carbon emissions has become a major goal. Technology related to the use of hydrogen as a fuel is one of the most promising solutions for future systems of clean energy. The aim of the present review was to provide an overview of elements related to the potential use of hydrogen as an alternative energy source, considering its specific chemical and physical characteristics as well as prospects for an increase in the participation of hydrogen fuel in the world energy matrix.

Highlights

The greenhouse effect is directly linked to energy production, which is the sector of the economy with the highest emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2 ), accounting for 80%of emissions throughout the world [1]
The study of hydrogen enables the identification of the main drivers for the establishment of new technologies related to the generation of clean energy
Such aspects are clearly related to the economy and the characteristics of hydrogen as an energy vector, which include production from diverse sources and use with very low environmental impact

Summary

Introduction

The greenhouse effect is directly linked to energy production, which is the sector of the economy with the highest emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2 ), accounting for 80%of emissions throughout the world [1]. Fossil fuels contribute to the largest percentage of the world energy matrix These fuels are depletable and involve risks related to extraction and consumption as well as the release of gases contributing to the greenhouse effect. The growing demand for electricity had led to its production by thermoelectrical plants Such plants produce one of the most expensive sources of energy and are major consumers of petroleum products, underscoring the need to find renewable, economically viable alternatives [5,6,7]. The generation of electricity on a larger production scale with the use of diesel, B1 fuel oil or other petroleum-based fuels has driven the search for new sources of energy that are less aggressive to the environment to ensure reductions in atmospheric pollution and emission of greenhouse gases, with the additional potential of reducing the costs of energy production [6]

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