CAN HYDROGEN REPLACE HYDROCARBON FUELS?
The need for “green” power and fuel efficiency is motivating the energy community to investigate hydrogen as a compelling alternative fuel. While hydrogen continues to pose significant challenges in terms of commercial production, storage and transportation, the market is rapidly evolving with diverse production and storage technologies, which are at different stages of commercial development. Hydrogen is being regarded as a promising candidate to replace conventional hydrocarbon fuels in the long run. As researchers strive to solve inherent problems of hydrogen production and storage, the energy community is eagerly awaiting the commercialization of this novel energy carrier. Currently, hydrogen could be produced by three methods – thermo-chemical, electrolysis and photochemical reactions, depending on the sources used for generation of hydrogen. “Among various hydrogen storage methods presently in use are compressed and gaseous hydrogen storage, metal hydride hydrogen storage, slurry
