1% Boost in Green Hydrogen Efficiency Could Save Millions of Liters of Water
A 1% increase in efficient hydrogen electrolysis efficiency could lead to significant water savings. Meanwhile, China, the world's leading hydrogen producer, faces water stress challenges in its production areas.
Efficient hydrogen, produced via electrolysis, requires substantial water. A 1% increase in its efficiency could reduce water consumption by 2%. However, 35% of global efficient and blue hydrogen production facilities are in areas with high water stress. Several countries close to water scarcity, like Egypt and Iran, are planning large-scale efficient hydrogen projects, potentially exacerbating local water shortages.
China, producing 37.81 million tons of hydrogen gas in 2022, is a global leader. Its Yellow River basin, home to over 80% of coal chemical plants, could decrease water extraction by 28% and increase hydrogen production by 11% by transitioning to green hydrogen. This is crucial as the basin faces a water supply-demand gap. Green hydrogen has the lowest water intensity, requiring only 17.5 liters per kilogram, compared to coal gasification-based plants that can consume half the water used by the city of London in a year to produce the same amount of hydrogen.
Improving efficient hydrogen electrolysis efficiency can lead to substantial water savings. China, as the global leader in hydrogen production, must balance its growth with water management strategies, especially in water-stressed areas like the Yellow River basin. The transition to green hydrogen, with its lower water intensity, can help mitigate water consumption challenges.
