New Jersey Hydrogen Learning Center Hydrogen Basics for Elementary Schools

What is Hydrogen? Hydrogen is the simplest element with only one proton and one electron. Stars are made primarily of hydrogen. Our sun’s energy comes from hydrogen mixing with helium to create radiant light. This radiant energy sustains life on earth. Hydrogen as a gas (two hydrogen atoms form one H2 hydrogen molecule) doesn’t occur naturally on earth. It is always contained in other elements. Hydrogen gas has the highest energy content of any fuel by weight, but it is also the lightest gas at normal temperature and pressure, meaning that when comparing energy content by volume, it ranks last.

What is Hydrogen? Hydrogen is found everywhere. It is found in things like water, oil, crops, or landfill gas. That means that hydrogen energy can be made from all these things as well.

Its flexibility is one of its main advantages. How is Hydrogen Made? Since hydrogen doesn’t exist on earth as a gas, we must make it, or extract it from a source. We make hydrogen by separating it from water, crops, oil or natural gas. Scientists have even discovered that some algae and bacteria give off hydrogen. Hydrogen can be produced at large central facilities or in small generators for local use. Every region of the country (and the world) has some resource that can be used to make hydrogen. Its flexibility is one of its main advantages.

Electrolysis and Reformation Electric Current 4H H2O - Water C 2H CH4 – Methane (Natural Gas) Steam Heat O

Hydrogen carries energy Most of the energy we use today—94% comes from fossil fuels… Fossil fuels are oil, coal, and natural gas and have developed over thousands of years from decomposing prehistoric plants and animals…since these plants and animals no longer exist, making new fossil fuels cannot happen. Only 6% of the energy we use comes from renewable energy sources… But people want to use more renewable energy. It is usually cleaner and can be replenished in a short period of time compared to fossil fuels. The problem is that renewable energy sources—like solar and wind—can’t produce energy all the time… The sun doesn’t always shine. The wind doesn’t always blow. Sometimes the sun and wind provide more energy than we need at that moment. Hydrogen can store and carry the energy until it’s needed and can be moved to where it’s needed.

Why are Energy Carriers good? Every day, we use more energy, mostly coal, to make electricity. Electricity is an energy carrier. Energy carriers can store, move, and deliver energy to consumers. We convert energy source like coal and natural gas to electricity because it is easier for us to move and use. Electricity gives us light, heat, hot water, cold food, TVs, and computers. Life would be really hard if we had to burn the coal, split the atoms, or build our own dams. Energy carriers make life easier. Hydrogen is an energy carrier like electricity. It can be used in places where it’s hard to use electricity. Electricity requires wires and poles, like you see along the highway and in your neighborhood, to be delivered to a home. Hydrogen can be shipped by a pipeline or produced at the home directly.

How does Hydrogen turn into useable Electricity? Hydrogen cannot directly make the lights turn on, the water run, or the heat work. It must be converted into electricity. This happens in a fuel cell. The only waste product is water Fuel Cells combine hydrogen gas with oxygen. A catalytic reaction separates an electron—electric power—from the hydrogen molecule; the by-products are water and heat….. This is a real live fuel cell

Uses for Hydrogen Energy NASA uses hydrogen as an energy carrier; it has used hydrogen for years in the space program. Hydrogen fuel lifts the space shuttle into orbit. Hydrogen fuel cells power the shuttle’s electrical systems. The only by-product is pure water, which the crew uses as drinking water. Hydrogen fuel cells are very efficient, but expensive to build. Small fuel cells can power electric cars. An engine that burns pure hydrogen produces almost no pollution. It will probably be many years, though, before you can walk into a car dealer and drive away in a hydrogen-powered car.

The Future of Hydrogen Before hydrogen becomes a significant fuel in the U.S. energy picture, many new systems must be built. We will need systems to make hydrogen, store it, and move it. We will need pipelines and economical fuel cells. And consumers will need the technology and the education to use it. The goal of the federal government is for hydrogen to produce 10% of our energy by the year 2030. Hydrogen could provide clean, renewable energy for the future. Source: U.S. DOE, http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/IntermediateHydrogen.html