Hydrogen and alternative energy technology have just received a breakthrough. With the current energy crisis on our hands, industries are looking for alternative energy solutions and sources in order to ensure the future of our planet remains sustainable and that we prevent irreversible climate change damage. This one institution has recently developed a breakthrough in renewable energy solutions, set to advance the country’s green energy and carbon neutrality goals.
Renewable energy continues to be a priority
Currently, the world’s energy demands are primarily met by fossil fuels. However, not only is mining these fuels incredibly harmful to the environment, but we are also using them up at such a rate that we are soon set to run out of these resources, which are formed naturally by the Earth. In response to this, governments, innovators, and other stakeholders are searching for alternative energy sources that are both sustainable and abundantly available for use.
“The climate crisis connects us all. We need collective action and leadership from all quarters to meet it—citizens and governments at every level, the public and private sector, NGOs and philanthropy,” descibes the United Nations FOundation on their website.
Solar and wind power are two renewable energy resources that have continued to rise in development at a rapid pace, becoming the two renewable energy industries that are growing in adoption the most. While hydropower still accounts for the majority of global renewable energy in circulation, growth in this industry is slow due to the years it takes to develop and build the infrastructure needed to generate electricity from this source. Solar and wind power technological advancement continues to be on the rise, with innovators consistently aiming to break boundaries for a sustainable future.
This never-before-seen hydrogen innovation
Recently, MIT World Peace University (MITWPU) in India has developed two breakthrough pieces of renewable energy technology in order to help India reach its green energy goals. Researchers at the University have developed a new process to generate green hydrogen from sugarcane juice and an efficient biodiesel production system using agro-waste catalysts.
“The university’s bioprocess operates at room temperature using sugarcane juice, sea water, and wastewater, contributing to global efforts to reduce hydrogen costs to $1/kg. Unlike conventional water-splitting methods, this process generates valuable byproducts, ensuring zero discharge and making it a viable solution for India’s energy transition….” said Dr Bharat Kale, Emeritus Professor & Director of Material Science.
This bioprocess uses sugarcane, wastewater, and seawater to generate hydrogen. This process is groundbreaking as, currently, most hydrogen processes still rely on fossil fuels to generate electricity from this resource. Additionally, pure hydrogen found in nature is both difficult to come by and even more complicated to harness. This new process has opened up opportunities for a cleaner and sustainable way to produce and store hydrogen to be used as a power source for electricity.
Innovation for sustainability continues to be on the rise
Similar to innovations like those from the researchers at MITWPU, other innovators are searching for ways to create a sustainable future by producing unique technological solutions that can harness renewable energy sources. For example, Canadian company Idénergie was looking at the development of portable hydrokinetic river turbines.
These turbines were intended to generate electricity from rivers and other water sources without the need for supporting dams and other infrastructure. The turbines could produce up to 12kW of electricity per day, similar to the energy capacity of a dozen solar panels could produce. The technology was intended to be employed within households to power essential electricity needs throughout the day. Innovation like this highlights the need for both widespread utility efforts to harness this technology as well as technology for single households.
