While most places around the world are trying to add as much renewable energy as possible to their electric grid, one island has too much. Orkney produces too much clean energy to use due to its ever-expanding wind farm.
In fact, they have to regularly shut down the wind turbines to avoid overloading power lines. Now they are pioneering the way for Hydrogen power.
In case you have never heard of Orkney, it is a small island off the northeastern coast of Scotland that is home to some breathtaking coastal scenery. All of its energy comes from renewable sources making it completely sustainable.
The island’s residents have now found a new way to utilize the excess energy from its wind farms. They can use it to break down water into hydrogen in a process known as electrolysis.
Hydrogen Power Has A Bright Future
As the world moves away from fossil fuels, it must find a way to replace this and renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, and more have been expanded as a result. However, they have their fair share of problems.
Hydrogen release no carbon when used, which makes it a clean source of energy. It is easy to store, which makes it the perfect replacement for natural gas. And it’s even being considered as a likely fuel source for vehicles in the future.
However, there is one problem.
Hydrogen needs to be created, and previously this has required fossil fuels. In fact, Hydrogen production is responsible for 830 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
That’s the equivalent of what the United Kingdom and Indonesia combined release annually.
However, due to the ridiculous amount of energy this island can produce, it has no problem creating hydrogen without emissions.
Already In Use
The island itself already uses Hydrogen power for a variety of jobs including powering vehicles and schools. There are more plans to use it to also power boats and other seagoing vehicles.
The island has demonstrated it can be made without emissions and has plenty of use, now it’s time for the rest of the world to take action.
