Green hydrogen: The fuel of the future still faces barriers in the global market

Green hydrogen has been touted as the ideal solution to drive the global energy transition, promising a low-carbon economy and applications ranging from transportation to industrial production. However, while the potential of this sustainable fuel is widely recognized, the global market still faces significant challenges to its consolidation.

What is Green Hydrogen?

Unlike traditional hydrogen (gray or blue), green hydrogen is produced through the electrolysis of water, using electricity from renewable sources such as solar and wind power. The result is a clean fuel with zero carbon emissions in its production.

Market challenges

Although green hydrogen is a promising technology, several obstacles stand in the way of its massification:

1. Cost of productionCurrently, green hydrogen is considerably more expensive than its conventional alternatives, due to the high cost of electrolysis and dependence on renewable energy.
2. Limited infrastructureDistribution and storage of hydrogen requires a robust infrastructure, which is still under development in many regions.
3. Scale of productionGlobal production of green hydrogen is still limited, which prevents it from competing with fossil fuels and other energy sources.
4. Regulation and Public PolicyThe lack of consistent global policies to stimulate the green hydrogen market also hinders progress in this sector.

Future prospects

Despite the challenges, the future of green hydrogen is promising. Major economies such as the European Union, the United States and China are already investing in robust strategies to boost the sector. Public-private partnerships, tax incentives and technological advances are some of the initiatives underway to make green hydrogen more competitive.

In Brazil, the potential is even more promising due to the abundance of natural resources, such as solar and wind energy, which are essential for the production of green hydrogen. Projects such as hydrogen hubs in the Northeast have been gaining prominence, placing the country as a possible leader in the global market.

Conclusion

Green hydrogen represents a unique opportunity to transform the global energy matrix, but it still requires coordinated efforts between governments, industries and researchers. With innovation, investment and a strategic vision, green hydrogen can indeed become the fuel of the future.