Researchers at Oregon State University say they have developed a breakthrough that could make hydrogen energy more affordable.
Hydrogen has for years been in the clean-energy conversation, along with solar panels, electric vehicles and wind turbines. One of hydrogen’s big advantages is that it can store carbon-free energy for when it’s needed the most.
But clean hydrogen has yet to take off, in part because of its high production costs — a barrier that Oregon State’s new research has the potential to help overcome. The research uses a catalyst — a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without changing itself permanently — to make green hydrogen production more affordable and accessible, said Zhenxing Feng, a chemical engineering professor at OSU who led the research.
Refueling a vehicle at a hydrogen gas pump could be a familiar, speedy routine akin to how consumers refuel gasoline-powered cars today.