A high-quality energy carrier like hydrogen can be created by thermochemical processes involving the conversion of hydrocarbons, such as coal or natural gas. It can also be obtained by water electrolysis using renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power. Due to climate change, air pollution, and energy deficiency, the exploration of new transportation fuels is very important. Despite the various challenges that hydrogen faces, it is still regarded as a clean energy source that can help solve the environmental and energy problems of the future. It can be used in fuel cells to provide high-quality electricity and heat. This chapter aims to discuss the various techniques involved in the production of hydrogen and their applications in fuel cells. It also explores the different types of fuel cells, such as PEMFCs, MCFCs, and SOFCs as well as to understand the effect towards sustainable development goals.
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The world's population has increased dramatically over the past few decades, which has resulted in the need for energy being more prevalent. Fossil fuels are the most common source of energy, though other sources are also available. Although they are cheaper than renewable energy sources, they have drawbacks. The rapid emergence and evolution of hydrogen as a fuel source for cars has been studied. The current state of the art in this area, as well as the future potential of this technology in road transportation, have been discussed (Apostolou and Xydis, 2019). The hydrogen economy is a multi-sector view of the decarbonization of the process sectors and the low-cost clean energy. Hydrogen's ability to store and transport derivatives or hydrogen has been regarded as a game-changer in the decarbonization of the energy sector. It can help lower greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution (Staffell et al., 2019). In addition to vehicles, hydrogen is also one of the most important low-carbon transportation options. Unlike other fuel sources, hydrogen does not contribute to air pollution and land usage issues. It also provides a low-emissions alternative to electric cars. In addition, it has been shown that hydrogen cars are three times more likely to reduce global warming than other vehicles (Falcone et al., 2021).
The goal of this study was to analyze the effects of various types of alternative vehicles on the environment and people's health. It was done by comparing the life cycle of these vehicles to that of traditional cars. Compared to methanol, hydrogen-powered vehicles have a higher energy density 60000 Wh kg-1, which makes them more sustainable when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and depletion of the ozone layer (Bicer and Dincer, 2017). The COVID-19 coronavirus has also made people more aware of the importance of consuming clean water, air, and food. Until the coronavirus pandemic occurred in 2020, the world was in a carbon age with respect to the use of hydrocarbon fuels. This is the start of a new hydrogen age, wherein the use of fossil fuels will decrease dramatically. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the transition from the C age to the H2 age to be chaotic (Dincer, 2020; Apostolou et al., 2018) Renewable resources such as hydrogen are the most promising ways to meet the energy demands of the future. Although it is rare in nature, hydrogen is found in plant materials and can provide more energy than gasoline when consumed in a unit of mass. However, a significant study is needed to design and implement onboard applications of this fuel (Abdalla et al., 2018).
The need for new technologies that can help address the increasing energy demands of the world's population and provide sustainable solutions has become more critical as the use of fossil fuels continues to rise. This is why the development of fuel cell technology is becoming more important. Compared to traditional combustion-based fuel cells, hydrogen-powered fuel cells offer numerous advantages (Hart, 2000 & Rady et. al. 2012). They're far more eco-friendly than their conventional counterparts, and they don't release harmful air pollutants. Also, they're 96% more energy-efficient possessing in terms of internal combustion-based Carnot cycle. Fuel cells and hydrogen can be used in a wide range of applications. They can power cars, portable electronic devices, and backup power systems. Because of their grid-independent nature, fuel cells are ideal for various critical load functions, such as data centers and hospitals. A fuel cell is like batteries that can produce electricity without emissions or combustion. Unlike batteries, they do not need to recharge as long as there is a continuous source of oxygen and fuel. Vehicles powered by fuel cells can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 50% if the hydrogen comes from natural gas or 90% if it comes from renewable sources such as solar and wind (Pehnt, 2003; Midilli et. al., 2005; Xu et. al 2020; Abdelkareem et. al. 2020).