Beyond Batteries: Why Green Hydrogen is Key for Long-Distance Transport

The transportation sector is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impact of climate change. Electric vehicles (EVs) have emerged as a promising solution, with many countries investing heavily in EV infrastructure and incentivising their adoption. However, as the industry continues to evolve, it has become clear that batteries have limitations regarding long-distance transport.

While batteries are well-suited for short-distance travel, such as commuting or urban deliveries, they must still be viable for long-haul transportation. The weight and size of batteries required to power long-distance travel would add significant cost and complexity to vehicles, making them less efficient and competitive with traditional fossil fuel-powered vehicles.

Furthermore, charging times for long-distance EVs are still a significant challenge. While fast-charging technology has improved significantly in recent years, it can still take several hours to charge a long-distance EV fully. This downtime can be costly for transportation companies, which rely on quick turnaround times to maintain their schedules and meet customer demands.

In contrast, green hydrogen offers a promising solution for long-distance transport. With its high energy density, fast refuelling capabilities, and zero emissions, green hydrogen has the potential to transform the transportation sector and play a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

In this article, we will explore the benefits and challenges of green hydrogen in long-distance transport and examine its potential to overcome batteries' limitations in this sector.

One critical advantage of green hydrogen is its high gravimetric energy density, making it an ideal fuel for long-distance transport. While its volumetric energy density is low, its high energy density by mass means it stores more energy per unit of weight. Green hydrogen is a promising choice for long-haul transportation applications where weight is critical, such as in the trucking industry.

One critical advantage of green hydrogen is its high energy density. While lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in electric vehicles, have an energy density of around 200-300 Wh/kg, green hydrogen has an energy density of approximately 33.3 kWh/kg. This significant difference in energy density makes green hydrogen a more efficient choice for specific applications, particularly those that require a high energy output.

This high energy density is significant for long-distance transport, where vehicles must carry large amounts of fuel to achieve the required range. With green hydrogen, vehicles can carry smaller fuel tanks, which reduces weight and increases payload capacity. This, in turn, improves the overall efficiency and economics of the car.

Additionally, green hydrogen can be used to fuel a variety of transportation modes, including trucks, ships, and aeroplanes. For example, a study by the European Commission found that green hydrogen could be used to fuel long-distance trucks, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%. Similarly, a study by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) found that green hydrogen could fuel aeroplanes, reducing emissions by up to 75%.

Green hydrogen's high energy density makes it an attractive choice for long-distance transport, where energy efficiency and range are critical.

Trucks: The Nikola Motor Company developed a hydrogen fuel cell truck that can travel up to 500 miles on a single tank of green hydrogen.

Ships: The MF Hydra is the world's first commercial passenger and car ferry powered by liquid hydrogen. It's equipped with Ballard's fuel cell modules and sails in Norway. This marks a significant step towards zero-emission ferries and the maritime industry in general.

Aeroplanes: ZeroAvia is developing hydrogen-powered aeroplanes with a focus on zero-emission flight. Their plans include the ZA600 for 10-20 seat turboprops by 2025, the ZA2000 for 40-80 seat turboprops by 2027, and the ZA2000 RJ for up to 90 seat regional jets by 2029, aiming to create a more sustainable aviation industry.

One of the most significant advantages of green hydrogen is its fast refuelling capabilities, which make it an ideal choice for long-distance transportation.

Refuelling a hydrogen-powered vehicle, whether a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) or a hydrogen combustion engine truck, is similar to refuelling a gasoline-powered vehicle and can be done in minutes. This contrasts with electric cars, which can take several hours to charge fully, even with fast-charging technology.

Companies like Volvo Trucks, MAN, and others are already working on launching hydrogen-powered trucks with combustion engines, which would offer a similar refuelling experience to diesel trucks.

In addition to developing new hydrogen-powered trucks, existing diesel trucks can be converted to run on a hydrogen-diesel mix. According to a BBC report, engineers at the University of New South Wales have already developed a system that allows diesel engines to run on a mix of hydrogen and a small amount of diesel. They claim their patented technology has cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by more than 85%.

Hydrogen refuelling stations typically have a high-pressure pump that fills the vehicle's tank to a typical pressure of 350 bar. This process usually takes 10-15 minutes, depending on the tank size and the pump's pressure.

A study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) highlights the goal of hydrogen refuelling systems to match the convenience of diesel fueling times. To achieve a refuelling time similar to the 5-10 minutes required to fill up a diesel truck, hydrogen refuelling systems are being designed to rapidly fill a typical truck storage capacity of 60-80 kg of hydrogen.

The goal is to achieve a refuelling rate of 8 kg/min by 2030, making long-distance transportation in hydrogen fuel cell trucks more efficient and convenient.

This is comparable to the time it takes to refuel a diesel-powered truck and is significantly faster than the time it takes to fully charge an electric truck.

In addition to the speed of refuelling, hydrogen refuelling stations are becoming increasingly available. In the United States, the California Fuel Cell Partnership has established a network of over 40 public hydrogen refuelling stations, with plans to expand to over 200 stations by 2025.

One of the most significant benefits of green hydrogen is its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a more sustainable future. The production, transportation, and use of green hydrogen result in zero emissions, making it a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuels.

The environmental benefits of green hydrogen are numerous. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), producing green hydrogen from renewable energy sources can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% compared to traditional fossil fuel-based hydrogen production. Additionally, using green hydrogen in transportation can reduce emissions by up to 75% compared to conventional fossil fuels.

Green hydrogen can also be critical in reducing air pollution in urban areas. Using green hydrogen in vehicles and industrial processes can reduce particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and other pollutants contributing to poor air quality.

Furthermore, green hydrogen can help mitigate the impacts of climate change by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Green hydrogen can help to reduce this concentration by providing a low-carbon alternative to traditional fossil fuels.

California Fuel Cell Partnership:

The California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) is a public-private partnership that aims to build a hydrogen refuelling network in California. The partnership has over 40 members, including auto manufacturers, energy companies, fuel cell technology companies, and government agencies. Its goal is to have 200 public hydrogen refuelling stations in operation by 2025.

The CaFCP works to expand the fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) market by promoting the development of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, supporting their adoption, and educating the public about the benefits of hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Some of the critical initiatives of the CaFCP include:

The CaFCP also provides resources and information for consumers, fleets, and stakeholders interested in hydrogen fuel cell technology, including a station map, FAQs, and news updates.

Hydrogen Europe: Hydrogen Europe is a European industry association that promotes the development and deployment of hydrogen fuel cell technology, including a hydrogen refuelling network.

They have over 600 members, 40 EU regions, and 30 national associations.

Their mission is to:

The need for clean and sustainable transportation solutions has never been more pressing as the world grapples with climate change, air pollution, and energy security. Green hydrogen has emerged as a promising solution, offering a zero-emission alternative “to traditional fossil fuels.

In this chapter, we will explore the future of clean transportation and the role that green hydrogen will likely play in it. We will examine the trends and drivers shaping the transportation sector and how green hydrogen is poised to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world.

Zero-Emission Transportation: Green hydrogen offers a zero-emission alternative to traditional fossil fuels, making it an attractive solution for transportation applications. Energy Security: Green hydrogen can be produced from renewable energy sources, reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels and enhancing energy security.

Economic Benefits: Green hydrogen can create new economic opportunities and jobs, particularly in the renewable energy and transportation sectors.

Green hydrogen is poised to play a significant role in the future of clean transportation. Offering a zero-emission alternative to traditional fossil fuels, green hydrogen will likely become an increasingly important part of the transportation sector as the world transitions to a low-carbon economy.

Embracing the transition to green hydrogen for long-distance transport can seem daunting, but the benefits outweigh the costs. At Hydrogenera, a sustainable future is within reach.

Our team is dedicated to helping businesses like yours navigate the journey to cleaner energy solutions. Take the first step today by getting in touch with us - together, let's pave the way for a more sustainable tomorrow. Whether you have questions or concerns or are ready to explore how green hydrogen can benefit your operations, our experts are here to help.

Contact us today to start your journey towards a cleaner, greener future.