What does science says? Green Hydrogen

Expert: Dr. Claudia Carrasco Carrasco
Department of Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering

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What is green hydrogen, and what is it for?

Green hydrogen (H₂V) is the same chemical element we have known since school, but produced without polluting emissions. About 95% of global hydrogen is generated from fossil fuels that release CO₂. Depending on the fuel used, this hydrogen is labeled gray, black, or after other colors. H₂V production does not generate CO₂, only hydrogen and oxygen.

Hydrogen is used in many industrial processes, from margarine production to glass. H₂V can also be used for this, but it stands out as an energy vector, allowing the storage of surplus renewable energy to generate heat or electricity.

Why is it said that Chile has the potential to produce Green Hydrogen?

Chile has the potential to produce H₂V mainly because of its climate. In the north, the Atacama Desert has some of the highest solar radiation in the world, which is ideal for transforming solar energy into electricity. On the other hand, the practically constant wind in the south allows wind turbines to produce electricity. This renewable energy potential covers one of the key inputs to produce H₂V. The other is water, which can come from freshwater sources and the sea. In both cases, previous treatments are required before generating H₂V.

What technologies or projects is UdeC leading related to Green Hydrogen production or use?

UdeC has multiple projects related to H₂V, from production to end-uses. Professor Igor Wilkomirsky, who is seeking to revolutionize copper mining with H₂V, stands out. Andrés Mejía is working on liquid H₂V storage, while Romel Jiménez and Cristian Campos are transforming it into chemical products. In my group, we are investigating new materials to make its production cheaper or to use seawater or liquid waste. We are also collaborating with a project of José Espinoza, which seeks to optimize H₂V production with a multidisciplinary approach. 

UdeC has been working with H₂V for a long time, more than a decade in my case, so we have worked on many projects.