Hydrogen fuel can be made using the electrolysis method on water. This can be done using renewable energy to make the process absolutely clean. For this reason, hydrogen is one of the leading options for storing renewable energy. Fuel cells that run on hydrogen use a chemical process instead of combustion resulting in very little pollution in comparison to regular counterparts. World governments see a big future in hydrogen fuel, even though it does not currently have widespread use.

Clean energy as a whole is a big point of concern for Europe and many stakeholders are demanding steps to be taken for more clean energy to be used. Hydrogen’s market size has been valued at $120 billion in 2020 and analysts estimate that it could grow to meet 24% of the world’s energy demand by 2050.

To transform hydrogen into usable electricity hydrogen fuel cells are used which do not rely on combustion, which makes them silent and virtually free of harmful emissions, producing only water as a by-product. As good as those sounds, the current technologies are far too expensive for individual residential adoption. But some are working to change that. One of these companies is Alkaline Fuel Cell Power, which is developing a micro-CHP prototype with lower production costs to be more viable for small and medium markets, like the residential one.

Currently Alkaline Fuel Cell Power are developing a 4kW system prototype and are planning to make it available for purchase as early as 2024. Alkaline Fuel Cell Power’s system is a micro-CHP one based on alkaline fuel cell technology, which is essentially a small power station providing electricity and an equivalent amount of heat for various purposes with zero CO2 emissions. The design of the Alkaline Fuel Cell Power system uses mainly common materials like nickel and graphite, whereas what is currently available typically uses more expensive materials like platinum.

The European Union launched a green hydrogen plan last year, planning to invest $150 billion over the next 10 years. The demand for green energy technologies like those based on hydrogen is quickly outpacing what the industry can supply. Because of this, Alkaline Fuel Cell Power’s innovative, price-leading technology is a welcome addition, which can hopefully bring more hydrogen use to the residential market.