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<\/p>\nThe process by which plants convert energy from the sun\u2019s rays into chemical \u2018fuel\u2019 has inspired a new way of generating clean, cheap, renewable hydrogen power which could solve looming problems with the UK\u2019s energy infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Hydrogen is a significant source of energy which can be burned to produce power with no negative impact on the environment, unlike power produced by burning fossil fuels. Hydrogen gas can be easily produced by splitting water into its constituent elements \u2013 hydrogen and oxygen.<\/p>\n
Plants\u2019 powers of photosynthesis allow them to harness the energy of the sun to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen at separate times and at separate physical locations in the plant\u2019s structure.<\/p>\n
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By applying direct current to water via a positive and a negatively-charged electrode in a process known as electrolysis, scientists have long been able to break the bonds between hydrogen and oxygen, releasing them as gas.<\/p>\n
Dr Mark Symes of the University of Glasgow: \u201cWhat we have developed is a system for producing hydrogen on an industrial scale much more cheaply and safely than is currently possible. Currently much of the industrial production of hydrogen relies on reformation of fossil fuels, but if the electricity is provided via solar, wind or wave sources we can create an almost totally clean source of power.\u201d<\/p>\n
Professor Lee Cronin of the University of Glasgow: \u201c\u201cOne of the problems of generating electricity via renewable power is that the output either needs to be used immediately or stored. Using renewable power to produce hydrogen allows us to capture the electricity in a state which is easily stored and distributed and, when burned, creates no problems for the environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the next couple of decades we\u2019re likely to face significant problems because the infrastructure which allows the distribution of electricity across the country via power lines is ageing badly and will become increasingly less fit for purpose. There are currently no solid plans in place to source the billions of pounds it will cost to overhaul the system.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, the existing gas infrastructure which brings gas to homes across the country could just as easily carry hydrogen as it currently does methane. If we were to use renewable power to generate hydrogen using the cheaper, more efficient decoupled process we\u2019ve created, the country could switch to hydrogen to generate our electrical power at home.<\/p>\n
It would also allow us to significantly reduce the country\u2019s carbon footprint.\u201d<\/p>\n
Source: http:\/\/www.gla.ac.uk\/news\/archiveofnews\/2013\/april\/headline_275262_en.html<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The process by which plants convert energy from the sun\u2019s rays into chemical \u2018fuel\u2019 has inspired a new way of generating clean, cheap, renewable hydrogen power which could solve looming problems with the UK\u2019s energy infrastructure. Hydrogen is a significant … Continue reading