Recently, the government has shown support for hydrogen energy, the future of the energy transition towards achieving net zero emissions. The question is, how can this hydrogen energy be produced, and what are the main challenges faced by the industrial players?

In our ongoing journey towards sustainability and cleaner energy solutions, hydrogen stands out as a beacon of hope. Hydrogen is a versatile energy carrier that can be produced through various methods and plays a pivotal role in transitioning to a green and sustainable future. The pursuit of hydrogen is primarily driven by global energy and environmental challenges such as climate change and carbon emissions, energy security and dependence on fossil fuels, and decarbonization challenges in heavy industries and transportation. These challenges necessitate exploring and adopting clean, sustainable, and versatile energy solutions like hydrogen. This is because hydrogen only emits heat and water when it burns, making it an appealing alternative to fossil fuels.

Today, we delve into the quest for white hydrogen and the trend of green hydrogen production. Now, what is the difference between white and green hydrogen?

There are various colours of hydrogen, including white, blue, grey, green, and orange, etc. These hydrogen colours are differentiated by the source and the technologies used but most of the processes rely on coal or natural gas and emit carbon dioxide. White hydrogen, also known as naturally occurring hydrogen, is a pure form of deposits from beneath the Earth's crust. The hunt for this naturally occurring hydrogen has begun in certain countries such as France, Canada and The States.

The discovery of white hydrogen started in 2012 when a remarkable discovery occurred in Mali. When a borehole was initially used to drill a well several decades ago, pure natural hydrogen was released. Following this discovery, geologists have progressively been exploring methods to extract this natural gas, believed to be generated through reactions between water and minerals.

In recent years, researchers have started to delve into this white hydrogen, and they found a promising outcome. Prof Michael Webber from the University of Texas, Austin, reported that Earth's natural conditions facilitate hydrogen production and accumulation. Therefore, extracting hydrogen in this manner could be significantly cleaner than conventional methods like coal gasification, methane reforming, or water electrolysis.

However, another question has been raised. Can ‘clean’ hydrogen from water electrolysis be produced?

Green hydrogen, produced through water electrolysis using renewable energy sources, is making waves in the energy sector. It offers a promising alternative to fossil fuels but is expensive. Although producing hydrogen via water electrolysis is expensive, efforts have been made to make green hydrogen more viable with the drop in renewable energy costs and advances in electrolyser technology. As countries and corporations aim for net-zero emissions, the appeal of green hydrogen as a clean fuel has skyrocketed.

Malaysia has shown a positive and forward-looking perspective on hydrogen, as it is a pivotal component of its future energy strategy, particularly in renewable energy and green technology development. By introducing the Hydrogen Economy Roadmap, Malaysia views hydrogen as a promising avenue for diversifying its energy sources, with Sarawak being positioned as the region's future hub for hydrogen energy. Other countries leading the charge in green hydrogen production include Germany, China, and Canada, with major companies like Siemens Energy, ITM Power, and Sinopec spearheading innovative projects and investments in this field.

Therefore, to align with Malaysia's national perspective on hydrogen to achieve a sustainable energy mix, Sunway University is committed to providing sustainable clean energy solutions to accelerate sustainable development. Sunway has also announced its aim to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, which is in line with its aspiration to build a sustainable future.

Dr Bidattul Syirat Zainal
School of Engineering and Technology
Email: @email

Professor Ir Ong Hwai Chyuan
School of Engineering and Technology
Email: @email