Blue hydrogen is produced from natural gas using carbon capture process whereas, green hydrogen is produced from renewables 

Blue hydrogen is a low-carbon hydrogen produced when natural gas is treated with steam at high temperatures through Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) or Auto Thermal Reforming (ATR) process. Green Hydrogen is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewables such as solar and wind. Green hydrogen is known for net zero emissions. 

Blue Hydrogen Process

Blue hydrogen is produced from natural gas through an SMR process integrated with CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) Technology. 

• Methane & Steam Mixture: Methane is the most commonly used natural gas which is mixed with steam at a temperature of 700-1000°C.

• Autothermal Reforming Reaction: The natural gas methane undergoes partial oxidation, where it reacts with oxygen to produce hydrogen (h2) & carbon monoxide (CO).

                Reaction: CH4?+2O2?→CO+2H2?

• The Reforming Reaction:  The methane & steam mixture is passed through a catalyst causing them to react and produce two byproducts that are hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO). 

                  Reaction:  CH? + H?O → CO + 3H?

• The Water Gas Shift Reaction: The CO captured from the previous step is further processed with steam to produce additional hydrogen and carbon dioxide (CO2). 

                   Reaction: CO+ H?O → CO? + H?

• Carbon Capture and Storage: The carbon produced during the reforming and gas shift reaction is captured and compressed to transport it to the storage unit. The carbon captured and compressed is stored in depleted oil and gas formations, deep saline aquifers, and unmineable coal seams.

• Low Carbon Hydrogen: The hydrogen produced from SMR technology integrated with CCS is called low-carbon hydrogen.

Green Hydrogen Process

Green hydrogen is produced through elctrolysis, which uses renewable energy or renewable electricity sources produced from wind or solar to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.

An electrolyzer is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The power for the electrolyzer is supplied from renewables like solar panels and wind turbines.

Reaction: 2H2?O→2H2?+O2?

                2H2?O→O2?+4H++4e−   (Anode reaction)

                4H++4e−→2H2?             (Cathode Reaction)

The green hydrogen produced is known as clean hydrogen. The hydrogen produced is collected and used in hydrogen fuel cells and in other industrial applications such as green ammonia, steel manufacturing, and refining.

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Blue Hydrogen Benefits

• It's a more cost-effective method of producing hydrogen than green hydrogen, which makes it more commercially viable. 
• The existing infrastructure for producing natural gas can be used to produce large-scale blue hydrogen. 
• High efficiency of SMR process. 

Green Hydrogen Benefits

• It is known as a carbon-free energy source that helps reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
• Electrolysis is a highly efficient process with low to no energy wastage during the production process. 
• The use of renewable energy sources means that the cost of producing green hydrogen is becoming increasingly competitive with other energy sources.

Green vs Blue Hydrogen

When comparing green and blue hydrogen, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, the cost of producing green hydrogen is still relatively high, which makes it less commercially viable than blue hydrogen. Secondly, the process of producing blue hydrogen still produces carbon emissions, even if they are captured and stored. Finally, the availability of renewable energy sources can be limited, which makes producing green hydrogen difficult in certain areas.

However, green hydrogen is a completely carbon-free energy source, which makes it highly desirable in a world where reducing carbon emissions is a top priority. Additionally, the process of electrolysis is highly efficient, with very little energy wasted during the production process.

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Applications of Green and Blue Hydrogen

Blue Hydrogen

1. Power generation: Blue hydrogen can be used to generate electricity in power plants, providing a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels.
2. Industrial processes: Blue hydrogen can be used as a feedstock in various industrial processes, including refining, chemicals, and fertilizers.
3. Heating and cooling: Blue hydrogen can be used in heating and cooling systems for residential and commercial buildings, providing a low-carbon alternative to natural gas.
4. Steel production: Blue hydrogen can be used as a potential replacement for coal in the steel-making process, reducing carbon emissions in the industry.

Green Hydrogen

1. Energy storage and backup power: Green hydrogen can be stored and used as backup power during power outages or in areas with limited access to electricity.
2. Fuel for transportation: Green hydrogen can be used as fuel for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), including cars, buses, and trains, providing a sustainable and zero-emissions alternative to fossil fuels.
3. Power generation: Green hydrogen can be used in fuel cells to generate electricity for homes and businesses, providing a reliable and renewable energy source.
4. Industrial processes: Green hydrogen can be used as a feedstock in various industrial processes, including refining, chemicals, and fertilizers.

How Government Can Participate in Enhancing Green and Blue Hydrogen Production?

Government policies and incentives for green and blue hydrogen include:

1. Carbon pricing: A carbon price or tax puts a financial penalty on the carbon emissions from fossil fuel-based hydrogen production. It creates a financial incentive for green hydrogen producing companies to choose lower-emitting alternatives like green or blue hydrogen.
2. Renewable energy targets: Governments may set targets for renewable energy production to increase the use of green hydrogen. This can be in the form of renewable portfolio standards or other mechanisms.
3. Research and development funding: Governments can provide funding for research and development of hydrogen production technologies, such as electrolysis and CCUS.
4. Production and investment tax credits: Tax credits can incentivize companies to invest in green and blue hydrogen production facilities. These tax credits can also be tied to job creation or other economic benefits.
5. Government procurement: Governments can also play a role as a buyer of green and blue hydrogen. Procurement policies can create a market for hydrogen and help reduce production costs.
6. Support for hydrogen infrastructure: Governments can provide funding for hydrogen infrastructure, such as fueling stations for hydrogen-powered vehicles.
7. Carbon capture and storage incentives: Incentives for CCUS technology can encourage the production of blue hydrogen. This can include tax credits or subsidies for carbon capture and storage projects.

Green Hydrogen Policies and Incentives

Drawbacks of Blue and Green Hydrogen

Green Hydrogen Drawbacks

• High production costs: Green hydrogen production requires significant amounts of renewable energy, which can be costly to generate, leading to higher production costs than conventional hydrogen.
• Limited availability: Renewable energy sources like wind and solar power can be intermittent, leading to fluctuations in green hydrogen production and availability.
• Infrastructure challenges: A significant amount of infrastructure is required to produce, transport, and store green hydrogen, which can be costly and time-consuming to build.

Blue Hydrogen Drawbacks

• Reliance on natural gas: Blue hydrogen relies on natural gas as a feedstock, which is a non-renewable fossil fuel and emits carbon dioxide during the production process. Even if blue hydrogen is low carbon hydrogen, it is a carbon-emitting hydrogen
• Carbon capture and storage challenges: The capture and storage of carbon dioxide can be expensive and technically challenging, leading to higher production costs and potential safety concerns.
• Methane leakage: Natural gas production and transportation can result in methane leakage or methane emissions, which is a potent greenhouse gas and can offset the carbon emissions reductions achieved through blue hydrogen production.

Conclusion: Blue Hydrogen vs Green Hydrogen

Blue hydrogen and green hydrogen are most popular forms of hydrogen highlighted by the IEA (International Energy Agency) to reduce carbon emissions and promote energy transition for a sustainable future. 

Blue hydrogen is produced using natural gas integrated with CCS technology that captures the carbon dioxide emitted during the production process. Whereas, green hydrogen is environmental friendly option produced using renewables like solar and wind with no emissions making it an expensive production process due to the use of renewable sources.

However, several country governments are promoting the use on green hydrogen on a large scale through policies to increase the electrolyzer capacity. According to blackirdge’s Global Green Hydrogen Market report foresees a global electrolyzer installed capacity of 5 TW by 2050. Several other programmes such as the national hydrogen strategy that focuses on improving hydrogen production through investments and policies. It includes promoting blue hydrogen projects for industrial process such as refining and fertilizer production. Whereas green hydrogen projects for fuel cell vechiles and renewable electricity production.

Get an detailed insight about hydrogen market outlook through Blackridge’s Global Green Hydrogen Market report.

Thus, both blue hydrogen and green hydrogen are widely used as prominent solutions of energy transition. Though expensive, initiatives are made to promote green hydrogen production backed by government policies and hydrogen startegies.

FAQ’s

What are the 4 types of hydrogen?

Green hydrogen, blue hydrogen, brown hydrogen, pink hydrogen and turquoise hydrogen are different types of hydrogen based on their production process.

Is blue hydrogen cheaper than green hydrogen?

Blue hydrogen is cheaper compared to sustainable green hydrogen however, there are chances of methane leakage and incomplete carbon capture during production process.

What is the difference between natural hydrogen and green hydrogen?

Gold or white hydrogen (geological hydrogen) is the natural form of hydrogen produced under earth’s surface. Green hydrogen is produced from electrolysis powered by renewables like solar and wind that emit zero carbon emissions.

What is pink hydrogen?

Pink hydrogen is produced from electryloysis that is fueled by nuclear energy. It is an altenrative for fossil fuels in industries like aviation, steel and heavy transportation.

What is blue hydrogen?

Blue hydrogen is a low carbon hydrogen produced from natural gas through SMR (Steam Methane Reaction) process that is integrated with CCS (Carbon Capture Storage) technology to reduce carbon emissions.

Read: Top 7 Green Hydrogen Companies in India

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