Not all hydrogen is created equally. One is clean and renewable, but the others are made from carbon-intensive dirty fuels. Sunified verifies green energy to validate the electricity source from solar right through to Green hydrogen, which is exciting for consumers wanting to see a rapid transition to renewable energy worldwide.
Green hydrogen is produced using renewable energy in a process called electrolysis, which involves channeling an electric current through water or membrane system. Soon, hydrogen will be used for energy storage to power cars, trains, trucks, ships, and for energy generation, in all types of weather conditions.
Burning pure hydrogen releases no climate pollution and when done correctly, is a positive solution for the climate. Sunified helps verify and certify "Green hydrogen" with guarantees of origin, by verifying the energy source used as the input into the electrolysis process.
Hydrogen colour codes explained:
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and is completely colourless in its natural state. However, a range of colours is used to describe the type of hydrogen produced by various chemical and physical processes - some using renewable energy and others using fossil fuels, like coal and gas.
Green hydrogen (clean hydrogen) is produced using renewable energy through electrolysis. The energy from the breakdown of bonds in water molecules releases separate hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Because the electricity used in this process is generated by a renewable power source, (like solar or wind), no climate pollution is released.
Methane gas creates 'dirty' hydrogen production using coal or gas, resulting in the creation of climate pollution. Grey and blue hydrogen are made through a process called steam methane reforming, which involves separating hydrogen atoms from methane gas.
This process also releases carbon dioxide, the main climate pollutant. When carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere, it contributes to the continued heating of the planet and compounds the effects of climate change.
Blue hydrogen is used when this carbon is captured and stored. As such, blue hydrogen is considered 'dirty', as it involves the use of methane during production. However, blue hydrogen is distinguished from grey hydrogen because carbon capture projects are meant to capture the pollution created. However, many expensive climate capture projects have been unsuccessful, only delaying the shift to clean energy projects.
Black and brown hydrogen are some of the dirtiest forms of hydrogen possible, as brown or black thermal coal must be heated in the gasification process used to make brown or black hydrogen. As with other forms of energy production using coal, this results in creating and releasing carbon dioxide pollution.