Manufacturers are working fast to adopt renewable sources like sun, water, wind, or organic materials to generate green energy in response to the increasing global energy demand and a greater focus on a net-zero emissions future.
United Airlines is partnering with biotechnology company Viridos to turn algae into jet fuel for their commercial fleets. UA has invested $5M to create sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as part of its commitment to eliminate all of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The company expects the fuel to have a 70% reduced carbon footprint compared to traditional fuel.
The European Union is considering plans to offer subsidies for hydrogen production using renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. The proposed subsidies aim to make clean hydrogen more competitive and support the EU's goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2050.
Emissions-free green hydrogen could soon be an important addition to the range of clean energies. Green hydrogen uses electricity from renewable energy sources to separate hydrogen from water in a process known as electrolysis. The element is not a primary energy source in the same way that fossil fuels are, but rather an energy carrier like electricity.
Though green hydrogen currently faces immutable laws of chemistry, physics, and logistics that will require major technological breakthroughs before it can become scalable, developers are up for the challenge.