Why is hydrogen called the fuel of the future?

Hydrogen is referred to as the fuel of the future due to its high energy density, availability, and zero emissions. It is already being used in modern car engines and energy processes. In the future, with the development of advanced fuel cell technologies, hydrogen is expected to be widely used in transportation, energy systems, and industry.

What role does copper play in hydrogen technology?

Copper plays a crucial role in hydrogen technology because of its excellent conductivity. Hydrogen requires advanced infrastructure, and copper is used in the production of electrolyzers, high-voltage cables, and components for energy storage in supercapacitors and batteries. Copper also helps in creating conductive and cooling elements in fuel cells, essential for hydrogen-based systems.

How does copper contribute to sustainable development?

Copper supports technologies that reduce CO2 emissions due to its high electrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion. It can be infinitely recycled without losing its properties, making it a key component of a circular economy. Combined with hydrogen technology, copper helps reduce the carbon footprint and promote environmentally friendly solutions.

Will the demand for copper increase with the growth of hydrogen technologies?

Yes, it is estimated that global demand for copper will rise with the growth of hydrogen technologies. Building modern energy infrastructure based on hydrogen will require more copper, posing new challenges for the mining industry but also contributing to the green transformation and the development of sustainable energy solutions.

Copper and Hydrogen Technology

Hydrogen is increasingly used as an energy carrier and is often referred to as the fuel of the future.

It is already used in various energy processes and in the engines of cutting-edge vehicles. However, the widespread adoption and development of hydrogen technologies wouldn’t be possible without copper. Why is that?

Hydrogen Technology – The Future Is Already Here

Hydrogen technology encompasses solutions based on using hydrogen as an energy carrier. Hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe, can function as fuel in various processes, playing an increasingly crucial role in industries such as:

Transportation – Hydrogen is typically called the fuel of the future due to its availability, high energy density, and zero emissions. It’s already powering personal cars and buses, and in the near future, it will be used in trains, ships, and airplanes thanks to advanced fuel cell technologies.
Energy – Fuel cells, which convert hydrogen into electricity, can also be used in stationary energy systems or serve as energy storage. Hydrogen can replace natural gas for heating buildings, including residential homes.
Industry – Hydrogen is widely used in the chemical, food, metallurgical, and welding industries, as well as in medicine. It’s essential for producing ammonia, methanol, hydrogen peroxide, converting unsaturated fats to saturated oils, steel production, and TIG welding.

Hydrogen’s versatility, especially when produced from renewable sources (green hydrogen), makes it crucial for decarbonizing industries, transportation, and energy. But for hydrogen technology to advance, the right materials are needed – and copper is one of them.

Copper and Hydrogen – A Perfect Match

Copper’s excellent conductive properties make it a critical material for hydrogen technology. From hydrogen production to storage and transportation, copper is essential for various infrastructure components.

Copper is used in the production of electrolyzers – devices that split water into hydrogen and oxygen. It’s also crucial for producing high-voltage cables for energy transmission in hydrogen technologies and components for hydrogen storage systems, such as supercapacitors, which require corrosion-resistant, conductive materials. Copper plays a key role in hydrogen-powered drives, particularly in fuel cells, facilitating the creation of conductive, cooling, and electrode components.

As hydrogen technology evolves, the demand for copper will increase. Global copper demand is expected to rise significantly due to the need to build modern energy infrastructure. This presents challenges for the mining industry and highlights copper’s role in the green transition.

Copper and Hydrogen – Advancing Sustainable Development

The extensive use of copper in hydrogen production and application can accelerate sustainable development by reducing CO2 emissions and other harmful compounds that pollute the air and harm the environment. Copper, used in renewable energy systems and e-mobility, significantly reduces carbon emissions due to its high electrical conductivity. Furthermore, copper can be recycled indefinitely without losing its valuable properties like conductivity and resistance to corrosion and mechanical damage.

At Electris, we embrace sustainable development by using copper extensively, including in components for hydrogen technology. We are committed to reducing CO2 emissions and minimizing the environmental impact of our operations by continuously optimizing our processes and investing in renewable energy.

We also collaborate with companies in the renewable energy and e-mobility sectors, increasing the share of renewable energy in our daily operations each year.

For more details, read our article Copper and Aluminum for Sustainable Development.