Keeping the lights on in our homes has become very expensive indeed.
And the global energy industry is facing a new world of issues as the latest war in the Middle East plays out. Solar and wind energy have become the dominant force in the renewable sector, but hydrogen has languished for decades, no more, says one man from New Jersey.
What do you know about this substance as a power source?
Hydrogen as a primary energy resource is finally getting the attention it deserves
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe.
It is basically one of the building blocks of life. It’s the first element on the periodic table, and consists of only one proton and one electron. The actual name “hydrogen” comes from the Greek words hydro (water) and genes (forming), which is apt as it produces only water when burned.
Hydrogen powered the now infamous Hindenburg, before being replaced by non-flammable helium.
Even NASA has not been able to avoid the appeal of this fuel. NASA uses it as a primary fuel source for its Space Shuttle, among others. But how can it serve us down here on Earth as an energy resource?
Is the advancement of the renewable energy sector enough without hydrogen
Many nations and even a few car manufacturers have developed this element as a main power and fuel source.
While some carmakers like the iconic Lamborghini have historically viewed the whole electric vehicle craze as just an expensive hobby, others, like Hyundai, have invested vast amounts of money into using hydrogen as a primary fuel source.
As far as using it to power our homes, the trend has been making waves recently, thanks to one man’s dream.
The solar power sector has become so dominant and “easy-to-use” that we now have “solar trees” in some cities that light up streets and roads. As the hydrogen market is relatively new, it has not had the time nor opportunity to become as cheap as solar power, for example.
So how has one man from the Jersey shore managed to power his entire home using hydrogen, and how much did it cost him in the end? Was it worth it?
A hydrogen house that brings off-grid living to the masses
The Hydrogen House Project is a non-profit organization that has attempted to prove to us all that this fuel is, without a doubt, the energy resource of tomorrow.
Located in Hopewell, New Jersey, the Hydrogen House was founded by inventor Mike Strizki. The project was the first in American history to develop a solar-hydrogen system to power a household.
Strizki aimed to prove to the world that this fuel is a cheap, affordable, and most importantly, clean energy resource for the homes of the future.
He built the first-ever solar-hydrogen home, which he still resides in, by the way, for just $500,000. A mere drop in the water when considering the long-term savings he has received from not relying on the national grid.
Combining the top clean energy resources to make powering your home a breeze
While simple hacks can increase the output efficiency of solar panels, this home takes things to a whole other level.
Solar panels do their normal job, while the energy they capture is converted into hydrogen through an electrolyzer, a normality in the energy industry. It is then stored in tanks as a gas.
The system is unique as the fuel never loses its “charge” over time.
A fuel cell converts the hydrogen back into water and electricity when needed, creating a closed loop of energy with absolutely zero emissions. So while the world waits for limitless fusion, the Hydrogen House Project has become so popular that it is the subject of an upcoming documentary.
How will this change the renewable energy industry in the years to come?