Hydrogen is an essential element in the transition to clean energy, but the high cost of production has been a significant obstacle to its widespread use. However, scientists have found inspiration from an unlikely source: the cactus plant.
The cactus plant’s ability to store water and nutrients in a cost-effective way has led scientists to develop a new method for producing hydrogen that is both efficient and cost-effective.
In this blog, we will explore how the cactus plant has inspired a new method for producing hydrogen and the potential impact of this breakthrough in the transition to clean energy.
The process of green hydrogen production
Electrolysis is the process that produces green hydrogen. It uses an electrolyser and a lot of water.
The electrolyser and water produce green hydrogen. Electrolysers split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Australia is among the several countries exploring hydrogen production and exporting it. Green hydrogen is more expensive to produce due to the cost of electricity and electrolysers.
A major cost component in green hydrogen production is electricity. Aside from that, other cost components include the efficiency and capital cost of electrolysers. Other costs, like labour, land, and water, are the minor cost components of hydrogen production.
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The role of the cactus plant in hydrogen
Engineers at The University of Texas at El Paso have proposed a low-cost, nickel-based material to split water more efficiently and cheaply. It was inspired by a cactus.
UTEP Mechanical Engineering Professor Ramana Chintalapalle, Ph.D., who led the study said, “This is nature-inspired design in the laboratory. You have this plant with an extensive surface that can absorb moisture and survive in extreme environments. We thought, ‘How can we incorporate this into our reset?’”
Platinum is a dominant material used to help split water, but it is more expensive than gold. Therefore, it’s not feasible to use on a large scale. Hence, the team looked for a catalyst that was more economically viable.
The team had been exploring nickel as a replacement for platinum but it is not that effective at breaking down water into hydrogen. This wasThen, that’s when they noticed the cactus, —with its big leaves and fruits that are nothing like other desert plants. It dawned on the scientists that the plant had a different surface area.
So, they designed a 3D nickel-based catalyst in the shape of a cactus in which the bigger surface area could accommodate more electrochemical reactions, which will create more hydrogen compared to nickel. They tested it, and they were able to get good results.
The research team also stated that this is a fundamental discovery and the process will require further refinement. Nevertheless, they are in the right direction.
The future of hydrogen production
The discovery of the cactus plant and its role in hydrogen production will pave the paths to more affordable hydrogen energy.
Australia has the building blocks to produce green hydrogen to accommodate domestic demand and the international market. According to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, Australia’s hydrogen exports could be worth up to $10 billion every year to the economy by 2040.
The Australian Government, industry, and researchers have undertaken a significant amount of work to quantify the opportunities for renewable hydrogen in the country via the Low Emissions Technology Statement and the Government’s National Hydrogen Strategy.
Indeed, we are living in exciting times.
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