When humans push the boundaries of science and our understanding of our earthly elements, we all benefit from the exercise. Hydrogen fuel gas has been talked about for decades as the new fuel option that would remove carbon emissions from engines, resulting in cleaner air for all. 

Internal combustion engines that burn fossil fuels produce emissions we all pay for — with our health and longevity, amongst many other concerns. Moving toward cleaner fuel alternatives such as hydrogen with zero emissions makes a lot of sense. However, most of the engineering community is scratching their heads, wondering how the lightweight molecule can overcome its energy density-related shortcomings.

Atomic No. 1 or “H” on the periodic table shows that hydrogen in its natural state is a low-density element, but we know this changes with compression or when liquified. “Hydrogen is also the most abundant element in the universe,” notes the U.S. Energy Information Administration (https://bit.ly/3V2mDpO). “The sun and other stars are essentially giant balls of hydrogen and helium gases.” 

So why do some keep saying that hydrogen makes a poor choice when it comes to energy? Because we don’t know what we don’t know. 

A vision for hydrogen

As we chase cleaner solutions, hydrogen has always stood out as a promising way to scale decarbonization, power heavy industrial machines, and maybe, one day, fuel buildings’ heat sources in certain locations. Not unlike other bold ventures, hydrogen fuel brings its own unique set of challenges; that’s exactly why I’m digging in and thinking conceptually about how it might affect the pipe trades over the next few years. 

Fossil-fuel emissions are not doing the planet any favors and we could all benefit from better air quality at work and home or sitting in traffic. Hydrogen’s potential is vast, but with a focused effort, rigorous science and a resilient, well-trained workforce, it could be practical and safe. The idea of energy independence with better use of renewable elements is closer to reality than ever before. 

The hydrogen effort may be daunting, but we are not long off from living in a world where energy production is local, sustainable and environmentally healthy if the research is persistent and well-intended. 

To achieve this vision, we might start with hybrid systems or fuel “admixtures” (additives) and combine hydrogen with other energy sources like natural gas or pair with district systems such as solar, geothermal or thermal energy networks that move and store energy. This multilayered, resiliency-minded approach could relieve a tremendous amount of pressure from our electrical grid, creating stability and giving us greater flexibility for high-energy industries, such as data centers, semiconductor manufacturing or fabrication labs, where even newer futures can be created. 

A pathway onward

Imagine the energy demands of a commercial manufacturing park, where machinery is screaming and boilers run hot on the production line. Here, green hydrogen, produced by renewables on-site by an electrolytic process, fuels an industrial site without emissions or heat loss when paired with water-sourced cooling systems, acting as a heat sink. Green hydrogen through electrolysis offers the commercial sector a genuine path toward resiliency and low-cost, independent fuel production. 

For clarity on how the fuel gets sourced, Energy.gov says: “Water can be separated into oxygen and hydrogen through a process called electrolysis. Electrolytic processes occur in an electrolyzer, which functions like a fuel cell in reverse. Instead of using the energy of a hydrogen molecule, as a fuel cell does, an electrolyzer creates hydrogen from water molecules.” Not a bad option for making your own fuel source. 

Facilities fit with solar-driven or other decentralized hydrogen production apparatus could meet their own peak power needs and, if viable, sell excess energy back to the community. Beyond buildings, these “outside the box” or “off-grid” prototypes will play a crucial role in sectors where traditional renewables may fall short or where local resource availability changes. 

This concern for a local stable source points toward areas of drought or water resource mismanagement. However, with mapping technology like Lidar, scientists are finding geological hydrogen deposits all over the planet.

Picture hydrogen fueling U.S. steel production, powering freight transport for the supply chain or backing up our energy grid when other sources dip or fail. Hydrogen will one day find its sweet spot, but to see it used currently for powering heavy industrial machinery such as military tanks, submarines and rockets — I don’t believe this energy source is worth exploring further.

Plumbers paving the way

The hydrogen-powered future is here already. Plumbers and authorities having jurisdiction are being trained continuously on how to safely install and inspect fuel gas systems, preparing the craft for a time when hydrogen fuel gas will flow through piping networks at volume (see the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Official’s Hydrogen Fuel Gas Piping Manual, https://bit.ly/3V2eSQX). When hydrogen technology becomes more accessible, it’s the plumbers who will be on the frontlines, ensuring the safety and reliability of the pipe conveying the fuel sources. 

Over the last few years, the industry has come together to hit the labs and tackle material concerns such as embrittlement and other issues concerning conveyance, leakage and flammability. It’s uncertain today if we will reach a place where 100% hydrogen fuel gas flows through cities in pipelines, but blending it with natural gas and incorporating hybrid solutions offers an expedient path to a transition. 

Science and industry best practices show that up to 20% hydrogen blends or H₂ and natural gas admixtures can be transported in suitable existing piping networks with minimal modification. This reality allows current natural gas users to leverage the existing infrastructure when the modern fuel admixture is delivered to the meter.

Where I live in North Carolina, my energy provider holds a diverse portfolio for energy, including nuclear, but with options like hydrogen becoming scalable, these asset holdings could change as they have in the past. This would pave the way for natural gas improvements almost immediately upon startup when blended admixtures come online. 

All over America’s densely occupied cities, we have seen strained energy grids and blackouts due to a number of issues related to capacity and system age. These power instability concerns exist all over right now, and having options is the American way. Simply put, a one-size-fits-all solution may not work on this planet; regional needs can change as quickly as technology does.

Who’s helping

Every day, new hydrogen technologies and advanced materials appear on the internet. Recently, we saw hydrogen boilers and generating equipment being made and sold worldwide, slowly inching us closer to a hydrogen future. With that, industry standards for hydrogen fuel gas systems are developing naturally and concurrently, thanks to experts and organizations committed to safety. 

With investments reported at $7 billion of funding for Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs through the U.S. Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, this focus empowers visionaries to stay the course on the subject (https://bit.ly/493uedz). Empowering these pioneers who are setting the standards and building these hubs will positively impact the future of hydrogen and most certainly serve as a place where new ideas can emerge. 

The path to clean energy isn’t easy, but humanity has never shied away from a challenge. With every advancement and new safety standard, we’re preparing ourselves for a future where hydrogen and other water-sourced energy solutions play central roles. 

The work done by today’s plumbers, engineers and innovators lays the groundwork for a sustainable tomorrow. With time, effort and a healthy dose of optimism, hydrogen may well be the fuel that takes us to new heights and better health.