Sun and wind have been two of the main sources of energy scientists have focused on to find the best way to transition to renewable energy. But now a new player is entering the scene. Hy5, which generates hydrogen from ammonia. Ammonia (NH₃) is a compound that, unlike gaseous hydrogen, is easier to transport and store in liquid form due to its higher energy density.
The truth is that the world has changed, the challenges have become more complex, and the urgency has increased. And amidst all this, a silent technology, literally packaged in a container, has emerged as a candidate to replace solar energy. “There’s a lot of talk about hydrogen being the ultimate clean fuel, but it still needs to be less expensive and easier to store and transport,” says Naomi Halas, a professor at Rice University.
How is this “new” technology used?
Separating the components of ammonia is the main objective. The researchers used LED light aimed at metal nanostructures that have a single wavelength of light. This, experts say, allows them to manipulate the light waves to excite the electrons in the nanoparticles, thus splitting ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen without the need for significant heat.
It’s important to clarify that this isn’t pure ammonia itself, which is why the Hy-5 is now being introduced, the world’s first portable module capable of manipulating ammonia to produce up to 500 kg of hydrogen per day, all autonomously, compactly, and with a purity of over 99.9%.
Hydrogen can be expensive to transport and store but at the same part, is the great promise of the energy
One of the main drawbacks of hydrogen is that it’s expensive; it remains expensive to produce, transport, and store. Hydrogen is the great promise of the energy revolution. It works as a fuel, has a high energy density, and, if extracted using non-polluting methods, emits no CO2.
For this reason, the Hy-5 is designed to operate continuously, regardless of the weather, and can be installed virtually anywhere, from construction sites to logistics distribution centers to remote military bases. It also addresses two major obstacles to the hydrogen economy.
Hy-5: the system is offered as a fuel-as-a-service model
It’s about powering machines, cities, vehicles, and industries without relying on coal, diesel, or expensive infrastructure. For a long time, the star of the energy transition was the sun, with solar panels, with their promise of autonomy and sustainability, taking center stage.
To top it all off, the system is offered as a fuel-as-a-service model; the customer only pays for the hydrogen delivered to their location, like a monthly subscription. It seems this could be the end of solar panels, especially after recent news about new sources and ways to generate energy. Cheaper, simpler, and faster.
There are obviously countries with more and better resources to invest in innovation and science
The important thing is to understand energy sources as best as possible in order to make the most of them. Always keep the environment in mind. Let’s remember that anything that’s renewable and an alternative to CO2 pollution is good for the planet and, therefore, for humanity. Walking together toward a cleaner world, cooling the planet’s temperature a little, can be achieved if we all pull together. This isn’t an isolated event that only affects a few; it affects all citizens. And there are obviously countries with more and better resources to invest in innovation and science, so let’s support them.
