The Hydrogen Society

Learn more about the ways hydrogen is reshaping our society

Hydrogen is changing the face of transport - and is poised to do even more. From powering cars to heating homes, we're moving towards a hydrogen-based society. Unlike other energy sources, it only produces water, and is easy to store and transport in large amounts. Sustainable systems are needed to replace fossil fuels which are having a negative effect on our environment. Hydrogen promises to have the biggest impact on decarbonizing - it is a secure alternative moving us closer towards a cleaner society. Watch our film to find out more.

What Is Hydrogen?

Hydrogen is clean, safe and all around us – in fact, it’s so common, it makes up 70% of matter in the universe. This means it can be locally sourced due to it being in such great supply.
As a fuel source, hydrogen's energy conversion rate is two to three times more efficient than conventional engines – which means you can go further on less fuel. And with the only by-product being clean water, hydrogen-powered vehicles completely eliminate CO2 emissions (as well as other harmful gases such as HC, CO and NOx).

Production

The need for a new power source has never been greater. Our world needs a sustainable system to replace fossil fuels - and the answer is hydrogen. Hydrogen can easily be built on existing fossil fuel structures, helping to reduce its cost and impact, whilst maintaining jobs and capital assets. Hydrogen can be produced using stable chemistry, so not only is it safe, clean and cost effective, but it can hold energy longer than any other medium - which makes it an extreme viable energy, commercially.

Domestic production is completely viable too - which could allow homes to produce their own electricity reducing the environmental footprint and living costs.

Transport

In public transport, many countries are already trialling the use of hydrogen. It Is quick to refuel and lasts much longer than fossil fuel energy, so vehicles will be able to go further, for longer, without having to refuel. Plus, hydrogen cuts emissions, noise pollution and environmental damage on a huge scale - and all without compromising the quality of transport.
Toyota plans to introduce over 100 hydrogen-powered buses ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This is expected to raise understanding and awareness of hydrogen to the general public.

Why use Hydrogen?

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FAQS

Yes, in fact, the process is extremely simple as it's no different than filling up a conventional car.

No, it takes roughly 3-5 minutes! Which is the same time it would take to refuel a gasoline car – and much quicker than that of an electric vehicle.

Yes. Hydrogen vehicles arguably have better acceleration than most gasoline-powered vehicles. The energy that propels the vehicle down the road has fewer moving parts to power or travel through.

Hydrogen is an extremely safe fuel. The gas is stored in secure airtight tanks, and in the extremely unlikely event of a leak, there wouldn't be any build-up. Instead, as hydrogen is lighter than air, it would escape quickly and harmlessly into the atmosphere.

Hydrogen made with renewable energy is completely carbon-free. And when you turn it into electricity, the only emission is water. It’s also easy to store and transport, allowing us to use renewable energy sources to their full potential.

Hydrogen is the most common element in the universe, so we can extract it from all sorts of substances. Including oil, gas, biofuels, sewage sludge and water. And because it’s all around us, we’ll never run out, guaranteeing energy security for years to come.

As well as Mirai, we use hydrogen in forklift trucks and fuel cell buses. Hydrogen fuel cells are also used to power factories, refrigerated warehouses and heat homes.

Hydrogen can be found almost anywhere, and fortunately, there are several ways to extract it. One is electrolysis, which involves passing an electric current through water. Another is steam reforming, where methane is combined with high-temperature steam, while gasification involves heating organic materials to high temperatures.

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