Sustainability is not only about using new types of energy, but also about rethinking existing ones. The United States has just launched a historic project to use hydrogen in our oldest activity. Do you know what we are talking about? You won’t believe how they are going to do it, and we have already warned you that many people will be reluctant even to eat.
The oldest activity, ready to decarbonize: this is how hydrogen will be used
Hydrogen is emerging as a promising new fuel source for agriculture in the United States. While hydrogen has long been used in industrial applications, its potential in the agricultural sector is just beginning to be explored. With rising interest in clean energy, it offers a way for farmers to reduce their carbon footprint.
The basic idea is that hydrogen fuel cells can replace diesel or gasoline in tractors, trucks, and other farm equipment. The only byproduct from hydrogen fuel cells is water, rather than greenhouse gases. Hydrogen can also be used to create ‘green’ fertilizers and pesticides.
Storing food in hydrogen atmosphere has been shown to extend shelf life. There are even pilot projects looking at hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity on farms. So hydrogen has the potential to transform many aspects of agriculture. However, there are still challenges to overcome in terms of infrastructure, costs, and safety.
But many experts predict that hydrogen will become a gamechanger for achieving more sustainable food production in the future. The United States aims to be at the forefront of developing hydrogen applications in the agriculture sector.
Hydrogen farming, a reality in the United States: this is how they are going to use it
The use of hydrogen in agriculture could provide numerous benefits for farmers. One major advantage is the potential for increased crop yields. Some studies have shown that applying hydrogen as a fertilizer or crop treatment can improve plant growth and fruit production.
The reason is that hydrogen acts as a powerful antioxidant, reducing oxidative stress in plants. This allows plants to better withstand environmental stressors and put more energy into growth and yield. In addition, hydrogen can enhance soil health.
Adding hydrogen to soil has been found to increase microbial activity and populations of beneficial microorganisms. This is likely because hydrogen can serve as an energy source for soil bacteria and fungi. With healthier soil microbiomes, essential nutrients become more available for plant uptake.
Soil structure and water retention also improve with more robust microbial communities. Therefore, hydrogen fertilization helps create optimal conditions for plant roots to thrive. The problem is that it is not so easy to use in arctic climates, since hydrogen is not conserved with the same efficiency.
Not only does hydrogen work, we also have to look at another chemical compound.
The agriculture industry is exploring how hydrogen can be used to produce greener fertilizers. Conventional fertilizer production relies heavily on fossil fuels and results in greenhouse gas emissions. However, hydrogen provides a pathway for more sustainable fertilizer manufacturing.
One way hydrogen enables greener fertilizers is through the production of ammonia. Ammonia is a key component of many synthetic nitrogen fertilizers that help plants grow. Traditionally, ammonia is made using the Haber-Bosch process which requires fossil fuels.
Several companies are developing prototypes and pilot projects for making green ammonia fertilizers with hydrogen. For example, Yara, a leading fertilizer producer, has partnered with ENGIE to build a demonstration plant in Australia for hydrogen-based ammonia production.
The truth is, once we know about hydrogen farming in the United States, we understand why many people will not even want to eat certain types of produce. When we think of fruits and vegetables as a 100% natural food, we often overlook the pesticides and fertilizers that are applied. Why not include alternatives like this or hydrogen?