September-October , 2020 | @ green
OPINION
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All plastics can be pyrolysed at 430 ° C and be made into hydrogen as well as other byproducts . Interestingly , the hydrogen economy can therefore help to rid the world of the plastic pollution problem because it allows all plastics to be converted into hydrogen fuel .
The Hydrogen Economy
There are a growing understanding and acceptance that the hydrogen economy requires government involvement . Having strong government involvement , including substantial government investment , gives confidence and attracts other investors .
Moreover , the hydrogen economy requires planning on a regional and / or national level .
As such , the government must be a vital driver of the hydrogen economy by bringing the key stakeholders together and through discussions , deliberation and targeted policies and incentives ensuring that there will both be a hydrogen demand and supply .
Creating a hydrogen economy from scratch will not happen by itself .
At the most fundamental level , the hydrogen economic planning must identify the big hydrogen produces and big hydrogen consumers / exporters .
This includes identifying the location of the big renewable energy production areas such as large scale solar and windmill parks .
The hydrogen energy storage and hydrogen power station locations must also be identified to ensure uninterrupted power supply for the existing power grid during periods of low renewable electricity production .
Figure 4 : All plastics can be made into hydrogen fuel
Proximity to heavy energy-intense industry , such as chemical production and steelmaking , should also be planned .
Moreover , integrated planning that taps waste heat from the hydrogen processes for use in other industrial processes , district heating or district cooling should be implemented .
For hydrogen fuel infrastructure , this must for starters be put in place for fueling of aeroplanes , ships , and trucks .
With the hydrogen market projected to reach € 630 billion by 2050 , infrastructure for hydrogen as an energy commodity – not unlike crude oil today – for import and export needs to be planned .
In other words , a system ’ s thinking approach is needed for the successful implementation of the hydrogen economy , allowing for the emergence of a decarbonised economy .
Climate Crisis
In a global perspective , most countries in the world have de facto committed to transitioning to a low-carbon economy when they signed on to the Paris Climate Agreement .
The hydrogen economy is an essential piece in the puzzle of achieving this goal and in abating the climate crisis – and potentially also the plastic pollution crisis . — @ green
Zhi Tao Siew and Gregers Reimann from IEN Consultants Sdn Bhd - a pioneering green building consultancy in Malaysia with specialisation in energy-efficient and healthy buildings .
Hydrogen is one of the exciting energy storage technologies , which can be produced from excess renewable electricity production . The hydrogen is produced from electrolysis of water , which is the decomposition of water into oxygen and hydrogen gas by applying an electric current .”
Figure 5 : The future decarbonised energy system with integration of renewables and hydrogen