Energy sources
Pure H2 does not exist naturally on earth. It is found all around us bonded to other elements like in water (H2O), or bonded to carbon to form methane (CH4), oil, or coal.
To make pure H2 suitable for use as a fuel, you need an energy source to break apart the molecules.
The energy source can be either electricity (produced from hydro, solar, wind) or fossil fuels (mainly natural gas).
Today 76% of the world’s H2 is produced using natural gas, and almost all the rest (23%) from coal. However this is undergoing a transition, as new end-users and governments are increasingly demanding that H2 is to be produced from low-carbon energy sources. This means that electrolysers must be powered by renewable sources (hydro, wind, solar), or that hydrogen production from fossil fuels must be accompanied with carbon capture, utilisation, or storage.
2 % (2019)
Total global energy demand used for producing H2
560 million tonnes CO2
Potential annual CO2 reduction in the EU by 2050 if H2 is adopted