In the field of new energy vehicles, besides the rapid development of electric vehicles using lithium-ion batteries, the use of hydrogen fuel cells as a power source for cars is also an emerging trend that cannot be ignored. In the pursuit of green energy development, hydrogen energy faces many technical and developmental challenges. This article will introduce the current state of hydrogen energy technology development and the related solutions introduced by Infineon.
Low-carbon transition drives steady growth in green hydrogen demand
In the shift towards an environmentally friendly, green future, besides electric vehicles powered by lithium-ion batteries, fuel cell systems that convert hydrogen into electricity are also a popular development direction. Numerous innovative products supporting green hydrogen have been continuously introduced, including efficient electrolyzers, advanced power electronics for energy management, and fuel cell systems that convert hydrogen into electricity. Particularly in the transportation and energy storage sectors, the global hydrogen market was valued at USD 1.14 billion in 2021 and is expected to soar to USD 15.1 billion by 2026.
Hydrogen is often referred to as the fuel of the future, but depending on the production process and associated environmental impact, it can be labeled with different colors, such as grey hydrogen, blue hydrogen, and green hydrogen. Below, we will introduce their characteristics, production methods, and environmental implications.
Hydrogen is a widely used gas in industry and transportation, traditionally produced from fossil fuels, resulting in substantial carbon dioxide emissions. For every kilogram of hydrogen produced, approximately 10 kilograms of carbon dioxide are emitted during the production process.
Grey hydrogen is currently the most produced form, extracted from natural gas through a process called steam methane reforming (SMR). Unfortunately, this method generates significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2), leading to greenhouse gas emissions. While it remains widely used, it is considered the least environmentally friendly method of hydrogen production due to its carbon emissions.
Blue hydrogen is produced using the same steam methane reforming process but integrates carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. This involves capturing the carbon dioxide emissions and storing them underground or utilizing them in other industrial processes, thereby reducing the overall emissions. Blue hydrogen aims to reduce the carbon footprint associated with hydrogen production; however, the effectiveness of CCS and the potential for leakage are still actively researched and debated.
Green hydrogen is produced using renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, or hydroelectric power through an electrolysis process. By applying electricity to water (H2O), electrolysis splits it into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2), achieving zero direct emissions. Since the electrolysis process requires very high direct current (DC), the alternating current (AC) provided by the grid must first be converted to DC for the rectification process. The AC/DC conversion requires high-power semiconductor devices, and when the input power for the electrolysis process is generated by solar panels, the DC input from the photovoltaic or storage system must also be converted to the appropriate DC voltage levels.
As the world strives for a low-carbon future, the demand for green hydrogen is expected to grow steadily. Continuous advancements and efforts to reduce costs are unlocking the vast potential of green hydrogen as a clean energy solution applicable to various fields such as transportation, industry, and energy storage.
Despite its numerous advantages, green hydrogen production based on electrolysis currently accounts for only 5% of global hydrogen production. Over 70% of hydrogen is still derived from natural gas, resulting in ongoing carbon dioxide emissions. This underscores the urgent need to accelerate the adoption of electrolysis and renewable energy in hydrogen production to scale up green hydrogen and drive decarbonization across industries.
With continuous progress and cost reduction efforts, green hydrogen holds enormous potential as a clean energy solution for various industries. The increasing focus on decarbonization and renewable energy may drive the accelerated adoption of green hydrogen in the coming years, leading to its widespread integration and further cost reductions.
Increased investment in clean energy technology is driving significant growth in the APAC hydrogen fuel cell market
The Asia-Pacific (APAC) hydrogen fuel cell market is poised for substantial growth driven by increasing investments in clean energy technologies and efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Countries like Japan, South Korea, and China are leading the adoption of hydrogen fuel cells in various sectors including automotive, stationary power generation, and portable electronics. These fuel cells offer advantages such as zero emissions, high energy efficiency, and quiet operation, making them attractive for applications requiring sustainable energy solutions.
According to reports, the value of the APAC hydrogen fuel cell market was $1.6721 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $11.2257 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.97% from 2023 to 2033. The primary value of hydrogen fuel cells lies in their environmental sustainability and efficiency, offering a cleaner alternative to traditional fuel sources. The combined market value of the top 10 global hydrogen fuel cell companies, such as Plug Power, Doosan Fuel Cell, and Ballard Power Systems, is currently estimated at $5.05 billion.
Additionally, India is an emerging market for electric vehicles, making rapid progress in reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and shifting towards green energy models. The Indian government has set an ambitious goal to produce 5 million tons of green hydrogen by 2030 and has announced the National Green Hydrogen Mission with an initial investment of $2.3 billion (INR 197.44 billion Crore), aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2070.
In China, with a growing emphasis on environmental protection, hydrogen fuel cells are becoming a key research focus. Hydrogen fuel cells have been applied in areas such as buses and forklifts, demonstrating superior environmental performance, and are now gradually being used as marine batteries in ship propulsion. Several Chinese companies, including the top 10 domestic hydrogen fuel cell enterprises, have mastered the R&D technology of hydrogen fuel cell systems. The performance of related products, such as cold start and power density, has significantly improved, and mass production has been achieved with an annual production capacity of 10,000 units.
Government initiatives, incentives for hydrogen infrastructure development, and partnerships between public and private sectors are accelerating market expansion throughout the APAC region. However, the hydrogen energy sector faces several challenges, including the need for infrastructure investment, the scalability of hydrogen production, and cost competitiveness compared to traditional technologies. Nonetheless, with ongoing technological advancements and supportive policies, the APAC hydrogen fuel cell market is expected to play a crucial role in the region's transition to a low-carbon economy.
Infineon provides complete product and technical support for hydrogen fuel cell applications
Infineon is optimistic about the development of the hydrogen fuel cell market and has invested significant efforts to support developers in meeting current and future environmental regulations and customer requirements, aiding the next generation of fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) drivetrain systems. At the core of electric vehicle fuel cell technology is the hydrogen fuel cell stack. Infineon's power semiconductor solutions and intelligent control ICs enable multi-target optimization to reduce system costs, increase power density, improve application efficiency, and achieve modular design. Infineon also collaborates with specialized software and design house partners, providing reference designs, evaluation boards, and layout resources to accelerate customers' development processes.
Fuel cell vehicles are a wise complement to battery-powered electric vehicles, as both technologies provide solutions to the upcoming severe challenges of reducing carbon dioxide emissions. However, the future success of hydrogen fuel cell technology largely depends on the widespread construction of hydrogen refueling stations and the total cost of ownership for consumers. Infineon's semiconductor solutions enable the lowest power loss and highest overall efficiency in the production and consumption of green hydrogen, contributing to the foundation of hydrogen fuel cell technology in the automotive and energy industries.
Hydrogen fuel cell systems can be broken down into many subsystems, and Infineon's components will play a key role in the functioning of these vehicle fuel cell technologies, including fuel cell electric air compressors, fuel cell pumps and fans, fuel cell DC/DC boost converters, fuel cell control units, safety and security, traction inverters, high-voltage traction batteries, and more. Infineon can provide relevant product support for all these systems.
Improving the efficiency and reliability of fuel cells with silicon carbide power MOSFET technology
Taking the fuel cell air compressor as an example, the fuel cell air compressor in an electric vehicle propulsion system is responsible for forcing air into the fuel cell stack. Here, the air acts as an oxidant, reacting with hydrogen ions and electrons at the fuel cell cathode to form water.
The air compressor system is crucial for controlling the air mass, flow rate, and air pressure. Infineon's CoolSiC™ MOSFET product series is particularly well-suited for air compressor systems because of their very low conduction losses, which are independent of temperature, even at high switching frequencies. Infineon's next-generation silicon carbide (SiC) power MOSFET technology offers designers greater flexibility to significantly improve the efficiency and reliability of fuel cell air compressor systems.
Infineon's product portfolio fully complies with automotive standards, supporting a variety of fuel cell air compressors and power classes with compact design and high-power density. They offer isolated integrated gate drivers and various 32-bit microcontroller solutions dedicated to xEV applications, along with evaluation kits that can shorten system development time.
In fuel cell DC/DC converter applications, Infineon leverages its extensive expertise and partner network in the automotive industry to provide electric drivetrain solutions centered on optimizing the efficiency, performance, and reliability of onboard fuel cell DC/DC electric vehicle systems. Infineon's next-generation SiC product series, including CoolSiC™ MOSFET power modules and discrete devices, achieve best-in-class switching and conduction losses even at extremely high switching frequencies.
This means designers can achieve higher conversion efficiency, smaller size, and greater power density in fuel cell applications using Infineon's high-quality, reliable automotive DC/DC converter solutions. Infineon SiC MOSFETs are available in a variety of voltages and power levels, offering both module and discrete power solutions.
Infineon introduces a product series that fully complies with automotive standards, including power modules and discrete solutions, supporting multiple efficient conversion topologies. These solutions feature compact design, highest power density, and extremely low switching losses at high switching frequencies.
Conclusion
Hydrogen fuel cells offer high energy density and rapid refueling advantages, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and being environmentally friendly, making them the future star of electric vehicle development. However, the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell technology still faces challenges such as high costs and insufficient infrastructure. Nonetheless, future technological innovations and policy support will be key to promoting the widespread use of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Overcoming these obstacles will undoubtedly make hydrogen fuel cells a cornerstone in leading the clean energy revolution, contributing significantly to global sustainable transportation and environmental protection efforts. Infineon's next-generation silicon carbide (SiC) power MOSFET technology will meet the application needs of hydrogen fuel cells, providing higher efficiency and reliability, and will contribute to the development and application of hydrogen fuel cell systems.
