A Nigerian energy expert from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Joshua Bolarin, has called on the Federal Government and private sector to explore hydrogen fuel production as a sustainable solution to the country’s energy challenges.
In a statement, Bolarin emphasised the need to harness Nigeria’s abundant solar energy to produce hydrogen, a clean and efficient alternative to fossil fuels, noting “Hydrogen production from water using solar panels has been on track as the most efficient method of producing green hydrogen without leaving behind any carbon traces.”
Bolarin remarked on the implications of the fuel subsidy removal, which has caused petrol prices to soar from N185 to over N900 per litre, highlighting the economic strain on Nigerians.
The energy expert stressed that the country must shift focus to renewable energy sources to mitigate the rising costs of transportation, electricity, and basic commodities.
“Nigeria’s reliance on crude oil products has led to inflation and unsustainable living conditions for many citizens,” Bolarin said. “However, the country has a significant advantage with its abundant solar energy resources. With a conservative conversion efficiency of just 10 per cent, Nigeria’s solar energy potential exceeds its projected energy demand by 23 times.”
Hydrogen fuel, derived from water using solar panels, offers a viable alternative, according to Bolarin.
He explained that solar panels can generate electricity to power devices that split water into hydrogen and oxygen. This hydrogen can then be used for electricity production or as fuel for vehicles, with the only byproduct being water.
He noted advantages of hydrogen include that, unlike crude oil, it burns cleanly, producing zero carbon emissions and is fuel capable of powering cars, buses, trains, and even ships.
“Unlike crude oil which contains carbon and burns in the air to release anthropogenic carbon dioxide gas, hydrogen is clean because it burns in the air to liberate water. Hydrogen burns in combustion engines to produce electricity and power cars, buses, trucks, trains, and ships.
“Hydrogen experts also revealed that the generated hydrogen can be stored in metal hydride systems for efficient distribution across different sites and regions.
“This storage technique can
replace the compression of hydrogen in gas cylinders which is prone to gas leakage and explosion during transportation due to compression at high pressure around 700 bars.”
The global demand for hydrogen is expected to reach up to 585 million tons per year by 2050, underscoring its growing importance.
Bolarin, who has conducted extensive research on hydrogen storage, noted that advancements in metal hydride systems have made hydrogen storage safer and more efficient, reducing risks associated with gas leakage and explosion.
“The process of compressing hydrogen into metal hydrides at low pressure offers a game-changing solution for storage and distribution,” the energy expert explained, referencing his research on magnesium hydride crystals published in Elsevier’s Journal of Magnesium and Alloys.
Further, Bolarin cited a Chinese expert from Zhejiang University, Zhang Xin, who has reported the compression of 65.6 kg/m3 (6.7 weight percentage) hydrogen in an ultrafine magnesium hydride crystal at room temperature and low pressure.
“This report, published in the Royal Society of Chemistry Energy and Environmental Science Journal documents a strategy for compressing hydrogen at 30-bar hydrogen pressure in a metal hydride,” Bolarin added.
The Nigerian expert urged the government to prioritise large-scale solar-driven hydrogen production, emphasising that Nigeria’s abundant sun and water make it uniquely positioned to lead in this sector.
“Transitioning to hydrogen fuel is not just about sustainability; it’s about economic survival. With the right investment, Nigeria can reduce its reliance on crude oil, lower inflation, and create new industries and jobs,” he concluded.
