How does the production of green hydrogen work?

Green hydrogen is more than just an energy carrier – it’s a key to reducing CO2 emissions and promoting a sustainable energy future. But how is this environmentally friendly fuel actually produced?

The production of green hydrogen is carried out through electrolysis, a process where electric current is passed through proton-conducting membranes. This electricity must come from renewable sources such as photovoltaic, wind power, or biomass to classify the produced hydrogen as “green”. By focusing on renewable energies, it ensures that the environmental benefits of green hydrogen are maximized. The production process consists of several steps:

1. Cleaning process: The water or ammonia must be cleaned to prevent damage to the electrolysis stacks. Various methods such as reverse osmosis and filtration are used to remove impurities. Additionally, the ammonia must be dried to ensure the quality of the produced hydrogen.
2. Electrolysis: In this step, water is introduced into the PEM system where hydrogen can pass through the ion-conducting membrane surface of the electrolyzer while oxygen is separated. Depending on the type of water feed – liquid or steam – a natural pressure of up to 40 bar for hydrogen is possible.
3. Drying: After electrolysis, the produced hydrogen needs to be processed for transportation or storage and cleaned of water particles (moisture) that may still be present in the hydrogen gas.
4. Compression & Storage: The dried hydrogen can either be stored directly in 40-bar storage tanks or pumped into hydrogen or industrial gas pipelines (up to 15%). If necessary, the hydrogen can also be compressed to up to 1000 bar and stored in special high-pressure containers. Inductive components play a crucial role in green hydrogen production. They must be particularly durable, efficient, reliable, and cost-effective to ensure smooth operation of the facilities. TPEG is a leading provider of inductive components that meet all these requirements. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of products and services that help energy providers and companies drive the energy transition forward.