33 Key Applications of Hydrogen Power and Leading Companies

Hydrogen energy is positioned to play a crucial role in decarbonizing sectors that are difficult to reduce emissions in, such as heavy industry and transportation. Its ability to produce only water as a byproduct when generated from renewable sources makes it an appealing clean energy solution.

By reducing dependence on fossil fuels and offering long-term energy storage, hydrogen can provide stability to renewable energy systems like wind and solar. As one of the most abundant elements, it holds the potential to drive the energy transition across a range of industries.

Here’s a look at 33 key applications of hydrogen power and the companies leading the charge:

Hydrogen Powered Trains: Coradia iLint

Alstom, a French multinational company operating worldwide in rail transport markets, has pioneered the development of hydrogen-powered trains with its Coradia iLint model.

Key Features

1. Zero Emissions: The Coradia iLint produces no direct CO2 emissions when operated, releasing only steam and condensed water.
2. Hydrogen Fuel Cells: The train is powered by hydrogen fuel cells, which generate electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen.
3. Performance: The Coradia iLint can reach speeds of up to 140 km/h (87 mph) and travel approximately 1,000 km (621 miles) on a single tank of hydrogen.
4. Noise Reduction: It operates with very low noise levels, making it quieter than traditional diesel trains.
5. Capacity: Each train can accommodate up to 300 passengers, with configurations varying based on operator needs.

Historical Milestones

• 2016: Alstom introduced the Coradia iLint at InnoTrans in Berlin.
• September 2018: The world’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train service began in Lower Saxony, Germany.
• 2019: The trains completed 18 months of successful trial operation.
• 2020: Alstom and the state of Lower Saxony signed a contract for 14 Coradia iLint trains.
• 2022: The world’s first 100% hydrogen train route began operation in Lower Saxony.

Global Expansion

• Germany: In addition to Lower Saxony, other German states like Hesse have ordered iLint trains.
• France: Alstom is developing hydrogen trains for the French market, with plans to debut in 2025.
• Italy: Trials began in 2020 on regional railways in northern Italy.
• UK: Alstom is working on plans to convert existing trains to hydrogen power for the British market.
• Austria: ÖBB, the Austrian Federal Railways, has conducted trials with the Coradia iLint.

Environmental Impact

• Replaces diesel-powered trains on non-electrified lines, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of rail transport.
• Each train can save up to 700 tons of CO2 emissions per year compared to diesel alternatives.

Technology Transfer

Alstom is not only manufacturing these trains but also working on transferring the technology to other countries:

• Collaborating with Eversholt Rail to bring hydrogen trains to the UK market.
• Partnering with Snam in Italy to develop hydrogen trains and associated infrastructure.

Challenges and Future Developments

• Infrastructure: Building a network of hydrogen refueling stations for trains.
• Cost: Initial high costs of hydrogen fuel cell technology, expected to decrease with scale.
• Range Improvements: Ongoing research to increase the range and efficiency of hydrogen trains.
• Hybrid Solutions: Developing hybrid systems combining hydrogen fuel cells with batteries for improved flexibility.

Alstom’s Coradia iLint represents a significant step towards sustainable rail transport, offering a viable alternative to diesel trains on non-electrified lines and contributing to the decarbonization of the transportation sector.

ArcelorMittal’s Hydrogen-Based Steel Production

ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steel producer, is at the forefront of decarbonizing the steel industry through innovative hydrogen-based processes.

Key Initiatives

Hamburg Plant, Germany

• Pioneering the use of hydrogen in Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) production
• First industrial-scale DRI plant with hydrogen injection
• Plans to transition to 100% hydrogen use in the future

Dofasco Plant, Canada

• $1.8 billion investment to transition from blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace to DRI-EAF steelmaking
• Will reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 3 million tonnes annually

Dunkirk Plant, France

• Developing Europe’s first industrial-scale DRI and submerged arc furnace unit
• Part of a €1.7 billion investment in decarbonization technologies

Gijón Plant, Spain

• €1 billion investment to build a green hydrogen DRI plant
• Will be one of the world’s first full-scale zero carbon-emissions steel plants

Technology Overview

Direct Reduced Iron (DRI)

• Process uses hydrogen to remove oxygen from iron ore
• Produces sponge iron, which is then fed into an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF)
• Significantly lower CO2 emissions compared to traditional blast furnaces

Hydrogen Sources

• Initially using a mix of natural gas and hydrogen
• Long-term goal to use 100% green hydrogen produced from renewable electricity

Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF)

• Used in conjunction with DRI to produce steel
• Can be powered by renewable electricity, further reducing emissions

Environmental Impact

• Potential to reduce CO2 emissions by 70-80% compared to traditional steelmaking
• Each tonne of steel produced via hydrogen-based DRI-EAF could save 2.3 tonnes of CO2

Challenges and Solutions

Scale

• Gradually increasing hydrogen use in existing plants while developing new facilities

Cost

• Partnering with governments and EU for funding support

Green Hydrogen Supply

• Collaborating with energy companies to secure renewable hydrogen

Technology Development

• Continuous R&D to improve efficiency and scalability

Future Plans

• Achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 across global operations
• Reduce European CO2 emissions by 35% by 2030
• Expand hydrogen-based steelmaking to other facilities worldwide

Partnerships and Collaborations

• Working with the European Union on the Hydrogen Europe project
• Partnering with Midrex Technologies for DRI technology
• Collaborating with energy companies for green hydrogen supply

Economic and Social Impact

• Preserving jobs in the steel industry while transitioning to cleaner technologies
• Potential to create new jobs in hydrogen production and related industries
• Maintaining competitiveness in the global steel market through innovation

ArcelorMittal’s commitment to hydrogen-based steel production represents a significant step towards decarbonizing one of the most carbon-intensive industries. By pioneering these technologies, the company is not only working towards its own environmental goals but also setting new standards for the entire steel industry.

Hydrogen-Powered Trucks – Hyundai

• Hyundai’s XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck is the first of its kind for commercial heavy-duty transportation. With a range of 400 kilometers and zero emissions, these trucks have already covered over seven million kilometers on Swiss roads.

Data Centers – Microsoft

• Microsoft is experimenting with hydrogen fuel cells to power its data centers, successfully running a facility for 48 hours without emissions. The company sees this as a major leap toward a cleaner, sustainable future.

Aviation Fuel – Airbus

• Airbus is pushing boundaries with its ZEROe project, aiming to introduce the first hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft by 2035. These concept planes utilize hybrid hydrogen engines, marking a potential revolution in zero-emission aviation.

Maritime Transport – Maersk

• Maersk is pioneering green methanol-fueled ships, with 12 vessels ordered to significantly cut CO2 emissions. Hydrogen-derived methanol offers an 80-95% reduction in pollutants, contributing to the decarbonization of maritime transport.

Blending Hydrogen in Gas Networks – ENGIE

• ENGIE’s GRHYD project is testing hydrogen’s potential by blending it with natural gas. This hybrid solution could be crucial in gradually transitioning energy systems to lower emissions, with trials already underway in French homes.

Construction Equipment – JCB

• JCB has developed hydrogen-powered engines for construction machinery, starting with a hydrogen-driven backhoe loader. The company is leading the charge in offering hydrogen alternatives in the heavy equipment industry.

Home Heating – Centrica

• Centrica is offering hydrogen-ready Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems, enabling customers to future-proof their heating systems. As hydrogen networks expand, these units will be able to seamlessly transition from traditional fuels to hydrogen.

Green Hydrogen Production – Siemens Energy

Siemens Energy is at the forefront of green hydrogen production through its collaboration with Air Liquide, creating industrial-scale electrolyzers. This technology efficiently generates hydrogen from water using renewable energy, essential for a successful energy transition.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars – Toyota

Toyota’s Mirai is a pioneering hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, offering zero-emission transportation with quick refueling times and long ranges comparable to traditional gasoline vehicles.

Industrial Heat – Thyssenkrupp

Thyssenkrupp is developing hydrogen-based solutions for high-temperature industrial processes, aiming to replace fossil fuels in energy-intensive industries like cement and chemicals production.

Hydrogen Storage – Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies

This company is innovating in hydrogen storage and transportation using Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHC), making hydrogen easier and safer to store and transport over long distances.

Hydrogen Refueling Stations – Air Liquide

Air Liquide is building a network of hydrogen refueling stations across Europe and North America, crucial for the widespread adoption of hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Power-to-Gas Technology – Uniper

Uniper is working on power-to-gas projects that convert excess renewable electricity into hydrogen, which can be stored in existing natural gas infrastructure.

Hydrogen-Powered Buses – Van Hool

Van Hool manufactures hydrogen fuel cell buses, providing zero-emission public transportation solutions for cities around the world.

Ammonia Production – Yara

Yara is exploring the use of green hydrogen in ammonia production, a key component in fertilizers, aiming to decarbonize the agricultural sector.

Portable Power Generation – Intelligent Energy

Intelligent Energy develops portable fuel cell systems for off-grid power generation, useful in remote locations or emergency situations.

Hydrogen-Powered Forklifts – Plug Power

Plug Power is a leader in providing hydrogen fuel cell systems for material handling equipment, improving efficiency and reducing emissions in warehouses and distribution centers.

Hydrogen Blending in Natural Gas Pipelines – SoCalGas

SoCalGas is testing the blending of hydrogen into existing natural gas pipelines, potentially reducing the carbon footprint of gas distribution networks.

Hydrogen-Based Energy Storage – Hydrogenics (now part of Cummins)

Hydrogenics specializes in large-scale energy storage solutions using hydrogen, helping to balance renewable energy grids.

Hydrogen Production from Biomass – Ways2H

Ways2H is developing technology to produce hydrogen from waste biomass, offering a sustainable way to manage waste while producing clean energy.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Drones – Doosan Mobility Innovation

Doosan is pioneering hydrogen fuel cell-powered drones, offering longer flight times and reduced environmental impact compared to battery-powered alternatives.

Underground Hydrogen Storage – RAG Austria AG

RAG Austria AG is exploring the use of depleted natural gas fields for large-scale hydrogen storage, crucial for seasonal energy storage.

Hydrogen-Powered Submarines – ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems

ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems is developing hydrogen fuel cell propulsion systems for submarines, offering quieter and more efficient operation.

Hydrogen in the Food Industry – Nestlé

Nestlé is exploring the use of hydrogen in its manufacturing processes to reduce carbon emissions in food production.

Hydrogen-Powered Mining Vehicles – Anglo American

Anglo American is developing the world’s largest hydrogen-powered mining truck, aiming to decarbonize the mining industry.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Backup Power – Ballard Power Systems

Ballard provides hydrogen fuel cell backup power solutions for critical infrastructure, offering reliable and clean alternatives to diesel generators.

Green Steel Production – H2 Green Steel

H2 Green Steel is a startup focused on producing steel using hydrogen instead of coal, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of steel production.

Hydrogen-Powered Residential Communities – LAVO

LAVO is developing hydrogen energy storage systems for homes, allowing residential communities to store and use their own renewable energy.

Hydrogen in Glass Production – Pilkington

Pilkington is trialing the use of hydrogen in glass furnaces, aiming to decarbonize the energy-intensive process of glass manufacturing.

Hydrogen-Powered Data Transmission – Ericsson

Ericsson is exploring the use of hydrogen fuel cells to power off-grid telecom towers, providing sustainable connectivity solutions.

Hydrogen in Textile Manufacturing – Toyota Boshoku

Toyota Boshoku is developing hydrogen burners for textile manufacturing, aiming to reduce carbon emissions in the fashion industry.

These applications, spearheaded by innovative companies, demonstrate the vast potential of hydrogen power to reshape entire industries and make significant strides toward a sustainable, low-carbon future.