Hydrogen FAQs

So what is Hydrogen? Become an expert in just 5 minutes with these handy frequently asked questions.

What are Hydrogen Fuel Cells?

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology (HFCT) creates sustainable electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, with only water and heat as by-products.

Hydrogen can come from two sources:

  1. Renewable carbon-neutral sources (e.g. wind and solar power), whereby hydrogen fuel cells produce carbon-neutral and emission-free energy.
  2. Fossil Fuels (e.g. natural gas), in which case the high-efficiency and the lack of combustion still produce lower emissions.

Watch the video below from the Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre to find out more about Hydrogen Fuel Cells.

Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre | Manchester Metropolitan University

Why use Hydrogen Fuel Cells?

Hydrogen Fuel Cells and the ‘Hydrogen Economy’ are considered to be a big solution to our future clean energy needs. The technology could power homes, offices, factories, cars and public transport – making them more efficient and not dependent on the main power grid.

Fuel Cell Advantages:

  • Colourless, odourless and non-toxic
  • Higher efficiency than diesel or gas engines
  • Operate silently
  • Only waste products at the point of use are heat and water
  • Can also be used to store energy efficiently, which other forms of renewable energy currently struggle to do.

What are the benefits of Hydrogen Fuel Cells?

The HySchools project is happening at a time when the trajectory for employment in the sector is upwards. According to the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, the number of jobs has been increasing in the sector by approximately 6% per year since 2007 to 4,000 today globally. Furthermore, survey respondents in the industry expect employment growth of 9% pa, doubling the number of jobs to around 8,000 globally between 2013 and 2020.

Below are some of the great benefits of HFCT:

  • Job growth
  • Improve industry
  • Boost tourism
  • Positive health impacts
  • Encourage research and innovation
  • Attract new businesses and a skilled workforce.

"Fuel cell and hydrogen technology could create 30 million jobs across Europe, and enhance the continent’s economy by $2,000 billion in annual sales worldwide by 2050"

- The ‘Fuel Cells and Hydrogen for Green Energy in European Cities and Regions’ report.

What are the current challenges around Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology (HFCT)?

Although they offer the promise of a clean and secure energy future, a hydrogen economy requires major changes in the way energy is produced, delivered, stored, and used.

Currently, there are several barriers to achieving this, including:

  1. Technological advancements
  2. Bringing technology to market
  3. Public awareness and education around the safety aspects of hydrogen as a fuel, which is what HySchools is aiming to address.