It is expected that the intensification of work in the world on the transition to low-carbon energy and hydrogen fuel in recent years will lead to a change in the structure of demand for energy resources in the future.

About 90% of modern energy is based on the use of chemical fuels based on natural resources (oil, gas and coal). The reserves of these energy sources are limited and are decreasing with every passing day. Therefore, humanity is faced with the problem of the rational use of energy resources, the application of highly efficient methods of extraction and processing of fossil fuels, the search for new energy sources and the production of synthetic fuels based on them. 

The following methods can be used to solve energy and environmental problems: widespread use of energy-saving technologies; transition to renewable energy sources; transition to modern technologies based on the use of secondary energy sources (hydrogen); and others.

The reasons for the theoretical and practical interest in hydrogen as a secondary energy source (fuel) are complete environmental friendliness; inexhaustibility of raw material resources; and high specific energy – 142 MJ/kg (compared to other types of fuel: dry wood – 19-21; coal – 33-36; gasoline – 40-45; methane – 55.6; and traditional fuel – 29.3). 

One of the most promising areas of searching for methods of obtaining hydrogen is water splitting based on electrical and thermochemical reactions with minimal energy costs. The energy of the Sun, wind and power plants can be used as electrical and thermal energy. 

The installation, developed as a method of accumulating energy from renewable energy sources, is based on the fact that a certain amount of energy is released or absorbed during chemical reactions. As a result of a chemical reaction carried out due to heat generated using solar and wind energy, as well as electrical energy, a combustible substance (hydrogen) is released. The resulting hydrogen is collected in a special tank. Accumulation of natural energy (solar, wind) can be carried out using a solar collector, a wind heat generator, a regulator of an additional energy source, a tank for storing the emitted gas and other necessary equipment.

Rahmetnur AYMAMEDOV,
Deputy Director for Geology of the Natural Gas Research Institute of of the Türkmengaz State Concern