Changes and Developments in Hydrogen Energy as Seen in TV Programs

摘要

Hydrogen energy, which has attracted attention in recent years, has the following twomajor advantages. Hydrogen as a fuel has multiple production methods and does notdepend on petroleum. Only water is produced during combustion, and carbon dioxide isnot emitted. For these reasons, hydrogen energy is considered as a new energy for thenext generation especially in Japan, and both companies and governments are rapidlyputting effort into dissemination. However, hydrogen used as a fuel is a flammable gasessentially. Hydrogen also ignites when energy such as static electricity is applied ina state of being mixed with oxygen at a constant concentration. In addition, hydrogenis often marketed and distributed as high-pressure gas in order to reduce its volume.Therefore, when the gas container is heated, the volume of hydrogen contained thereinsuddenly increases and the container withstands internal pressure. There is a possibilityof explosion without breaking. In fact, according to The High Pressure Gas SafetyInstitute of Japan, 69 accidents have happened involving high pressure hydrogen gas in2011-2014 [1]. Thus, in order to spread hydrogen energy, it is indispensable to preparemeans and regulations for safely handling hydrogen.