Using electricity to generate a gas, most often hydrogen, is described using the power to gas (P2G) concept; where gases are generated using excess electricity to yield a profit. P2G methods use water electrolysers, either Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) or Alkaline to use excess electricity to drive the production of hydrogen.
Role of Power to Gas (P2G) in Hydrogen Economy
The hydrogen generated via a P2G method can be used in chemical analysis, industrial or chemical manufacturing, as a fuel in its own right, or as a key feedstock in the production of methane fuel via a renewable method. P2G is expected to play a key role in the developing hydrogen economy, where the excess electricity generated by renewable power technologies (e.g. solar, wind or hydroelectric) is used to produce hydrogen – an environmentally friendly gas.
Hydrogen that is produced can be blended into natural gas at concentrations of 5-15%, with natural gas having the ability to store relatively large volumes of green hydrogen. By adding hydrogen to natural gas the polluting effect of the gas can be reduced, helping to reduce emissions, whilst not affecting the equipment that is using the natural gas.
Biomethanation
Via biomethanation green hydrogen can also be converted into methane – i.e. natural gas. Biomethanation takes organic materials and, using a microbe catalyzed process, the organic material and hydrogen are combined to form methane, which can then be distributed as a renewable gas.
Green hydrogen produced using P2G can also be used to power hydrogen fuel cell cars, which also have lower emissions. P2G hydrogen gas represents a clever way of making money from excess renewable energy as green hydrogen is sold at a higher rate than hydrogen produced using steam reforming (SMR).
Green Hydrogen
Green hydrogen produced by P2G can either be sold locally to fuel distributors or sold internationally to interested parties, which can be transported by ship or pipeline.
Many industrial manufacturers use hydrogen as part of their processes and many, especially in the chemical sectors, require the hydrogen to be of a very high purity. P2G hydrogen is extremely pure and does not require filtration, making it desirable to industrial manufactures that will pay a premium for clean gas.
The use of electrolysers for P2G technology allows owners of renewable energy farms to profit from any excess electricity generated by becoming a hydrogen gas generator and distributor.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Nel Hydrogen.
For more information on this source, please visit Nel Hydrogen.