“Carbon-free hydrogen is in the race for a successful energy transition”

Tribune. On August 21, the H24 Racing team’s electric-hydrogen propulsion competition prototype will take to the 24 Hours of Le Mans autodrome. These laps will mark further progress towards a zero emission race by 2024. And further proof of the relevance of hydrogen for decarbonizing transport.

To achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, France must tackle the decarbonisation of transport. And this urgently, because the sector represents more than 30% of total CO emissions2. Carbon-free hydrogen is in the race for a successful energy transition.

Carbon-free hydrogen is emerging as one of the solutions to reduce CO emissions2 transports. But not for all uses: its physicochemical properties do not make it an ideal candidate for all modes of mobility.

Advantages and disadvantages

Take the private car. The virtues of the green molecule to decarbonize this use are regularly praised. However, it is in the automobile that its potential seems most limited, manufacturers having already chosen battery-powered electric vehicles to replace heat engines. It is a well-suited solution, which will gain ground with the increase in battery performance and recharging capacities. In this context, the electric vehicle equipped with a fuel cell (PaC) running on hydrogen will find its place more difficult.

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But what about other uses? Those whose energy needs cannot be met by the battery? The game remains open. Whether it’s PaC or hydrogen engines, each solution involves strategic industrial choices and has its advantages and disadvantages.

Heavy goods vehicles are excellent candidates for conversion to hydrogen, as they require a high capacity of on-board energy and short refueling times, which are hardly compatible with the capacities of the batteries. By focusing on converting engines to hydrogen, manufacturers have a considerable advantage: decarbonizing without incurring new investments.

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Hydrogen trains, on the other hand, are already a reality in Europe, with projects for electric propulsion trains using a hydrogen PaC. This is an option that makes sense, 50% of the European rail network is not electrified. Under these conditions, it is better to turn to hydrogen rather than to investments in the electrification of the tracks.

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