Japan generates hydrogen energy from sunlight and water
Japanese scientists unveiled a proof-of-concept reactor that can turn sunlight and water into renewable hydrogen fuel.
This 1,076-square-foot (100-square-meter) reactor uses photocatalytic sheets to split oxygen and hydrogen atoms in water molecules.
As a result, the technology can extract the hydrogen for energy.
Article continues after this advertisementThe scientists admitted that the technology is in early development. However, more efficient photocatalysts will enable this reactor to create cheap and sustainable hydrogen fuel.
How does the reactor produce hydrogen energy?
Shinshu University chemistry professor Kazunari Domen and Dr. Takahashi Hisatomi developed this renewable energy reactor.
The university website explains that the technology uses photocatalysts, which promote chemical reactions when exposed to light.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Japanese solar cells to match 20 nuclear reactors’ total energy
The most efficient method is the two-step excitation system. It involves two photocatalysts that extract hydrogen and oxygen from water separately.
Kazunari and Hisatomi created a proof-of-concept reactor that produces more hydrogen energy from sunlight than from laboratory conditions.
“The solar energy conversion efficiency was about one and a half times higher under natural sunlight,” said first study author Hisatomi.
“However, the efficiency under simulated standard sunlight is 1% at best, and it will not reach 5% efficiency under natural sunlight.”
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The research team says they need more efficient photocatalysts and larger reactors to breach the 5% barrier.
They also need more real-world experiments to make more practical hydrogen energy reactors.
Nevertheless, Japan is getting closer to this reality as its private and public sectors work together to realize this renewable dream.
World Economic Forum Digital Editor Naoko Tochibayashi wrote in her report:
“A transition to a green and competitive energy structure can only happen with work across sectors and strengthening public-private partnerships to efficiently implement affordable hydrogen energy.”
The Shinshu University researchers published their findings in the journal Frontiers in Science.
