The practical use of hydrogen has been tried and tested for many years - from rocket propulsion to hydrogen-fueled fuel cells in trains, buses and passenger cars. However, by far the largest consumption of hydrogen today is still found as feedstock for the chemical and petrochemical industries. Worldwide, approximately 80 Mt of hydrogen was used in 2019. Due to its future use as a clean energy carrier for the energy transition, hydrogen consumption is forecast to reach 300 Mt per year by 2050.
Hydrogen is the simplest chemical element with a high availability
Principle of hydrogen production
Green hydrogen is produced with green power from renewable energy sources in electrolyzers. The energy is used to split water (H2O) into its components hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2). The hydrogen can then be stored in various ways and used in different applications. With the help of fuel cells, trucks or ships, for example, can be operated CO2-free. Fuel cells can also be used to operate small combined heat and power plants to provide power and heat in residential buildings. Hydrogen can also be added to the existing natural gas network, where it is then stored, transported and later burned in an industrial furnace, for example. Using CO2 from the air or exhaust gases, hydrogen can also be synthesized into methane (natural gas) or e-fuels (gasoline), allowing fossil fuels to be replaced even in applications that are difficult to operate electrically or with hydrogen.
Many sophisticated systems are being developed for the clean energy world around hydrogen. These range from electrolysers, storage and transport systems to fuel cells and synthesis plants. All these systems have one thing in common: In order for them to be operated safely and stably, modern sensors are required to monitor and measure pressure, temperature, level, and conductivity. JUMO has over 70 years of extensive experience in this field, which we are happy to share with you.
