It is a gas at normal temperatures and pressures, which presents greater transportation and storage hurdles than exist for the liquid fuels. While no transportation distribution system currently exists, for hydrogen transportation use, the ability to create the fuel from a variety of resources and its clean-burning properties make it a desirable alternative fuel. Hydrogen is in a gaseous state at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperatures. Fuel hydrogen is not pure hydrogen gas. It has small amounts of oxygen and other materials.
Electrolysis uses electrical energy to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.
The electrical energy can come from any electricity production sources including renewable fuels. DOE has concluded that electrolysis is unlikely to become the predominant method for large quantities of hydrogen production in the future. The predominant method for producing synthesis gas is steam reforming of natural gas, although other hydrocarbons can be used as feedstocks. For example, biomass and coal can be gasified and used in a steam reforming process to create hydrogen. Hydrogen Market A distribution system for hydrogen as a transportation fuel does not exist.