What is hydrogen?

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and is used to store and deliver energy. Traditionally, the process used to make hydrogen has been reliant on vast amounts of fossil fuels.

Today, we are moving away from grey and blue hydrogen (produced using very hot steam from fossil fuels) to renewable hydrogen (also known as green hydrogen) which is produced using renewable energy.

We use renewable hydrogen for:

• fuelling transport like trucks and buses
• making industrial chemicals
• providing industrial heat and power for mining and metals production
• storing and providing power.

We see the potential of renewable hydrogen production to help reduce our carbon emissions and meet our energy needs. EY Australia predicts Queensland’s hydrogen industry will be a $33.4 billion industry by 2040 and create approximately 10,000 jobs.

Producing renewable hydrogen

Renewable hydrogen is produced by a process called electrolysis. It requires the use of a device called an electrolyser. There are 3 main steps in using an electrolyser to create renewable hydrogen:

• Renewable energy, sourced from solar or wind, powers the electrolyser
• The electrolyser splits the water into hydrogen and oxygen by passing a strong electric current through the water
• Hydrogen is then stored and used later as a clean fuel.

Queensland is making electrolysers locally to help upscale our capacity for hydrogen production.

Hydrogen as liquid and gas

Hydrogen can be safely stored as both a liquid and a gas.

At room temperatures, hydrogen is a gas and can be stored in high-pressure tanks. Hydrogen becomes a liquid when cooled to below –253°C.

Hydrogen as a clean energy source

One of the main advantages of renewable hydrogen is that it is considered a clean energy source.

Unlike fossil fuels, which emit pollutants and greenhouse gases, hydrogen only produces water vapour when used as fuel in fuel cells.

Safety

Hydrogen is as safe as many of the fuels we currently rely on. We have standards in place to produce, store, transport and use hydrogen safely.

More information

• Read about hydrogen in Queensland.
• Learn about other renewable energy technologies that make up Queensland’s SuperGrid.
• Find out about renewable energy projects in your region.