Opinions: Which method of green hydrogen production results in the lowest CO2 footprint?

The production of green hydrogen with the lowest CO2 footprint typically involves the electrolysis of water using electricity generated from renewable energy sources like solar, wind, or hydropower. This process emits no direct CO2 emissions, as the electricity used for electrolysis comes from clean energy sources. Electrolysis splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using an electric current, and when powered by renewable energy, it results in green hydrogen.

There are different types of electrolysis technologies, such as proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis, alkaline electrolysis, and solid oxide electrolysis. Among these, PEM electrolysis and alkaline electrolysis are currently the most mature and widely used methods. The specific CO2 footprint of green hydrogen production depends on the efficiency of the electrolysis process and the carbon intensity of the renewable energy source used. However, in general, green hydrogen produced using renewable energy has the lowest CO2 footprint compared to other hydrogen production methods like blue hydrogen (produced from natural gas with carbon capture and storage) or gray hydrogen (produced from natural gas without carbon capture).

How do photocatalytic water splitting, biomethane steam reforming, and biohydrogen production compare in terms of their CO2 footprints? Are these methods among the lowest in CO2 emissions?

It is correct that photocatalytic water splitting, biomethane steam reforming, and biohydrogen production are also methods for producing hydrogen with relatively low CO2 footprints. Let's take a closer look at each of these methods:

1. Photocatalytic water splitting: This process uses photocatalysts, which are light-sensitive materials, to directly convert sunlight into hydrogen and oxygen by splitting water molecules. Since it does not require external electricity, its CO2 footprint can be quite low, provided that the production and disposal of the photocatalysts are sustainable. However, this technology is still in the research and development stage and not yet commercially viable due to challenges in efficiency and scalability.
2. Biomethane steam reforming: This process involves steam reforming of biogas, which is produced from organic waste or biomass through anaerobic digestion. The CO2 emissions from this process can be considered neutral or low since the CO2 released during the production process is offset by the CO2 absorbed by plants during their growth. However, the overall sustainability of this method depends on the feedstock source, land-use changes, and potential indirect environmental impacts.
3. Biohydrogen production: Biohydrogen can be produced through various biological processes, such as dark fermentation, photofermentation, or microbial electrolysis. Like biomethane steam reforming, the CO2 emissions associated with biohydrogen production are generally considered low or neutral since the feedstock is derived from organic matter. However, the overall sustainability of biohydrogen production depends on factors like feedstock availability, land-use changes, and indirect environmental impacts.

While these methods have the potential for low CO2 footprints, they are not yet as mature or widely deployed as electrolysis using renewable energy sources. In the future, as these technologies continue to develop and improve, they may indeed offer competitive alternatives to green hydrogen production through electrolysis.