The United States has made considerable advances in renewable energies through the introduction of hydrogen agriculture – the application of one of the foremost renewable fuels within traditional farming practices.
Hydrogen agriculture incorporates hydrogen gas and fuel cell technologies to power various farming processes, presenting a cleaner alternative to conventional farming methods. While still in its introductory phase, the viability of hydrogen-based technologies on farms is being demonstrated across the United States and other parts of the world through pilot projects and practical implementations.
Hydrogen has the potential to lower greenhouse emissions, enhance energy efficiency and boost productivity in agriculture. The principal aim of hydrogen agriculture is the replacement of conventional fossil fuel-powered machinery and petrochemical-based fertilizers and pesticides with hydrogen alternatives. Hydrogen fuel cells, which generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction, enables farm equipment to operate with zero emissions.
Tractors play a crucial role in farming, used for various tasks such as plowing, planting, and harvesting. Traditional tractors, powered by diesel fuel, emit greenhouse gases. As an alternative, hydrogen tractors use hydrogen fuel cells, operating without direct emissions. The chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen is what generates electricity to power these tractors.
Hydrogen tractor prototypes have been developed by major tractor manufacturers such as John Deere. These tractors can work as long and hard as their diesel counterparts. Hydrogen storage takes place in high-pressure tanks on the tractor, with refueling taking only minutes. Usage of hydrogen tractors eliminates the inhalation of diesel fumes during long work days and prevents contamination of soil and crops.
Green hydrogen production is becoming an important tool for sustainable agriculture. Created using electrolysis powered by renewable energy, this method results in a zero-emissions fertilizer production process.
Renewable hydrogen fertilizers are capable of providing the same nutrient levels as traditional fertilizers, without relying on fossil fuel consumption or producing greenhouse gas emissions. Techniques are being developed to create ammonia fertilizers using green hydrogen and nitrogen.
The shift to green hydrogen will allow farmers to augment productivity and nutrition in a carbon-free manner. Additionally, companies are working on creating facilities for manufacturing hydrogen-based fertilizers on a large scale for agriculture.
