Aqualution
IDCORE University of Edinburgh

Untangling green hydrogen’s future with seawater

Producing green hydrogen at scale is seen as essential for achieving global decarbonisation goals and transitioning away from fossil fuels. It is coined ‘green’ due to its reliance on renewable energy sources, such as offshore wind, to power its synthesis. Production relies on a process termed electrolysis, which enables us to split water into its most basic elements, hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen itself is a clean and versatile fuel source, but green hydrogen currently accounts for just 0.1% of global hydrogen consumption, limited by high production costs. But freshwater scarcity could prove to be the bigger, and quieter, bottleneck.

Wan’s research aims to provide an innovative solution and a way forward for offshore green hydrogen production using seawater electrolysis. Traditional electrolysis with seawater, the world’s most abundant water source, requires extensive purification or risks generating large volumes of toxic by-products and hazardous waste. Addressing either challenge adds significant cost, constraining financial viability. Wan will collaborate with Aqualution and their specialised electrolysis technology to tackle these issues.

The project also aims to make hydrogen production more sustainable and accessible, while addressing the scalability challenges that have limited green hydrogen deployment worldwide. Wan will develop a methodology to guide decisions on technological, economic, environmental, and safety setups for a range of development sites. This research will support the creation of pathways toward viable offshore green hydrogen production and provide a foundation for future implementation in water-scarce regions with limited access to conventional energy infrastructure.

Biography

Wan transitioned from a successful career in Human Resources to pursue technical innovation in the renewable energy sector, driven by a desire to focus on work that benefits future generations while leveraging his analytical expertise. He returned to college, scoring 100%, and joined Aston University where he excelled in Design Engineering, earning recognition as valedictorian and serving as an Associate Lecturer. Wan feels optimistic and invigorated by the future!