New study from Argonne National Laboratory shows uses of hydrogen in industry, transportation

Scientists from the Argonne National Laboratory and National Renewable Energy Laboratory released a report this week highlighting hydrogen technology’s potential to transform aspects of industry and transportation and make a more sustainable energy system.

“The United States produces about 10 million metric tons of hydrogen per year, primarily for the petrochemical sector,” Amgad Elgowainy, Argonne senior scientist, said. ​“There is strong interest emerging in renewable production of hydrogen, primarily to decarbonize industrial and transportation demands. Our report evaluates the potential size of these demand sectors and their sensitivity to the price of hydrogen.”

Synthetic fuels, biofuels, hydrogen injection in natural gas pipelines, metals manufacturing, and transportation were assessed for potential growth in U.S. hydrogen demand. In “Assessment of Potential Future Demands for Hydrogen in the United States,” researchers mainly focused on current and emerging technologies. A previous study from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found the economic potential of U.S. hydrogen consumption to be two to four times the current demand.

Synthetic fuels were viewed as particularly beneficial due to their ability to utilize existing infrastructure for liquid fuel and recycle waste CO2 streams to create new forms of usable energy. Further, pairing CO2 with hydrogen inputs could develop new types of hydrocarbon fuels for transportation and industry, according to Elgowainy.

Economic potential will vary, though, as it depends on research and development advancements, infrastructure availability, and the prices of electricity and natural gas. Argonne researchers continue to evaluate these areas’ life cycle emissions and cost drivers and potential hydrogen demand in other applications to come.

The study was a part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) H2@Scale initiative, which gathers stakeholders to push affordable production, transportation, storage, and use of hydrogen as an energy carrier.