João Bicker
My name’s João Bicker, I’m 19 and I live in Gouveia, in Serra da Estrela. I’m a second year Mechanical Engineering student in good old IST, little did I know about its implications, and I’m part of Técnico Fuel Cell’s Steering System Department. As I think that it’s important to do something other than classes and tests, I’ve decided to join TFC seen its compatibility with my interest in cars and, being a newly formed project, I believe it’s the best environment for nurturing creativity. As I said, what led me to take part in this project was my interest in mechanics and passion for automobiles, an industry in which I hope to get into after dragging my carcass out of Técnico.
Technical Department:
-Mechanics
![F stands for Fuel!
And WE… (someone in the audience screams “HYDROGEN!”) *Crickets sound*
Ok, well, who are we fooling. It is pretty clear by now that our car will run on hydrogen. BUT, did you know there are three different kinds? Actually, there are more; but for the sake of simplicity, let’s stick with these. Based on its production process, hydrogen may be labeled as:
1. Grey hydrogen: it is the most common form and is generated from natural gas, or methane, in a process called “steam reforming”. Essentially, a hydrocarbon reacts with water resulting in hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The hydrogen is grey when the carbon dioxide (CO2) byproduct is released into the atmosphere;
2. Blue hydrogen: the same exact process as before however – and this is a big “IF” – the CO2 is captured and stored. Sometimes, blue hydrogen is referred to as “carbon neutral”, although that is not entirely true. In a best-case scenario, a blue hydrogen facility manages to capture 90% of the carbon dioxide;
3. Green hydrogen: everything you have ever dreamed off; a clean, carbon-free, marvelous piece of bottled energy. Green hydrogen is produced when the electric current generated by a renewable source (e.g., solar photovoltaic panel or wind turbine) runs through water breaking the bonds between hydrogen and oxygen (electrolysis).
So, why don’t we use only green hydrogen for energy production? For one, there is price. Fossil fuels are still abundant and marketed comparatively at very low prices. Green hydrogen requires great amounts of scarce renewable electricity together with electrolyzers which are only now reaching commercial-scale sizes. And, to be honest, how do you grow supply when demand is not growing? Or vice-versa [1, 2].
But as governments around the world start investing, this might start to change. Green hydrogen is expected to beat blue hydrogen’s cost by 2030 and natural gas’ by 2050.
It should be quick enough. And while you wait, feel free to check all our channels at https://linktr.ee/tfc.vehicle (link in the bio).
We look forward to hearing from you!](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/278051815_413087840530391_4534979455928370909_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=90rcIrISM8UAX-gKJbt&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=00_AfA-GYWPi4cmKxoWNDcGHCGTJPezYTQXKQ48I2K2nTdZ_Q&oe=6422B8F9)
![F stands for Fuel!
And WE… (someone in the audience screams “HYDROGEN!”) *Crickets sound*
Ok, well, who are we fooling. It is pretty clear by now that our car will run on hydrogen. BUT, did you know there are three different kinds? Actually, there are more; but for the sake of simplicity, let’s stick with these. Based on its production process, hydrogen may be labeled as:
1. Grey hydrogen: it is the most common form and is generated from natural gas, or methane, in a process called “steam reforming”. Essentially, a hydrocarbon reacts with water resulting in hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The hydrogen is grey when the carbon dioxide (CO2) byproduct is released into the atmosphere;
2. Blue hydrogen: the same exact process as before however – and this is a big “IF” – the CO2 is captured and stored. Sometimes, blue hydrogen is referred to as “carbon neutral”, although that is not entirely true. In a best-case scenario, a blue hydrogen facility manages to capture 90% of the carbon dioxide;
3. Green hydrogen: everything you have ever dreamed off; a clean, carbon-free, marvelous piece of bottled energy. Green hydrogen is produced when the electric current generated by a renewable source (e.g., solar photovoltaic panel or wind turbine) runs through water breaking the bonds between hydrogen and oxygen (electrolysis).
So, why don’t we use only green hydrogen for energy production? For one, there is price. Fossil fuels are still abundant and marketed comparatively at very low prices. Green hydrogen requires great amounts of scarce renewable electricity together with electrolyzers which are only now reaching commercial-scale sizes. And, to be honest, how do you grow supply when demand is not growing? Or vice-versa [1, 2].
But as governments around the world start investing, this might start to change. Green hydrogen is expected to beat blue hydrogen’s cost by 2030 and natural gas’ by 2050.
It should be quick enough. And while you wait, feel free to check all our channels at https://linktr.ee/tfc.vehicle (link in the bio).
We look forward to hearing from you!](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/277908986_1668712800148656_2339964147328141335_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=cpi7fvL8hcEAX_kTUHW&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=00_AfBiTqyJzVXqFxE-033IfaWzN-2liyyyR_BAdET-t9BuxQ&oe=642268BF)
![F stands for Fuel!
And WE… (someone in the audience screams “HYDROGEN!”) *Crickets sound*
Ok, well, who are we fooling. It is pretty clear by now that our car will run on hydrogen. BUT, did you know there are three different kinds? Actually, there are more; but for the sake of simplicity, let’s stick with these. Based on its production process, hydrogen may be labeled as:
1. Grey hydrogen: it is the most common form and is generated from natural gas, or methane, in a process called “steam reforming”. Essentially, a hydrocarbon reacts with water resulting in hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The hydrogen is grey when the carbon dioxide (CO2) byproduct is released into the atmosphere;
2. Blue hydrogen: the same exact process as before however – and this is a big “IF” – the CO2 is captured and stored. Sometimes, blue hydrogen is referred to as “carbon neutral”, although that is not entirely true. In a best-case scenario, a blue hydrogen facility manages to capture 90% of the carbon dioxide;
3. Green hydrogen: everything you have ever dreamed off; a clean, carbon-free, marvelous piece of bottled energy. Green hydrogen is produced when the electric current generated by a renewable source (e.g., solar photovoltaic panel or wind turbine) runs through water breaking the bonds between hydrogen and oxygen (electrolysis).
So, why don’t we use only green hydrogen for energy production? For one, there is price. Fossil fuels are still abundant and marketed comparatively at very low prices. Green hydrogen requires great amounts of scarce renewable electricity together with electrolyzers which are only now reaching commercial-scale sizes. And, to be honest, how do you grow supply when demand is not growing? Or vice-versa [1, 2].
But as governments around the world start investing, this might start to change. Green hydrogen is expected to beat blue hydrogen’s cost by 2030 and natural gas’ by 2050.
It should be quick enough. And while you wait, feel free to check all our channels at https://linktr.ee/tfc.vehicle (link in the bio).
We look forward to hearing from you!](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/277938642_542166173932703_6715883394979619285_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=ajRk5DiA6HYAX9N_e-2&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=00_AfAdJ5BNqyzjEAQdLkUCuf3_Skpd14XK11Btsvy4x2i8Hw&oe=6421A3DC)
![F stands for Fuel!
And WE… (someone in the audience screams “HYDROGEN!”) *Crickets sound*
Ok, well, who are we fooling. It is pretty clear by now that our car will run on hydrogen. BUT, did you know there are three different kinds? Actually, there are more; but for the sake of simplicity, let’s stick with these. Based on its production process, hydrogen may be labeled as:
1. Grey hydrogen: it is the most common form and is generated from natural gas, or methane, in a process called “steam reforming”. Essentially, a hydrocarbon reacts with water resulting in hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The hydrogen is grey when the carbon dioxide (CO2) byproduct is released into the atmosphere;
2. Blue hydrogen: the same exact process as before however – and this is a big “IF” – the CO2 is captured and stored. Sometimes, blue hydrogen is referred to as “carbon neutral”, although that is not entirely true. In a best-case scenario, a blue hydrogen facility manages to capture 90% of the carbon dioxide;
3. Green hydrogen: everything you have ever dreamed off; a clean, carbon-free, marvelous piece of bottled energy. Green hydrogen is produced when the electric current generated by a renewable source (e.g., solar photovoltaic panel or wind turbine) runs through water breaking the bonds between hydrogen and oxygen (electrolysis).
So, why don’t we use only green hydrogen for energy production? For one, there is price. Fossil fuels are still abundant and marketed comparatively at very low prices. Green hydrogen requires great amounts of scarce renewable electricity together with electrolyzers which are only now reaching commercial-scale sizes. And, to be honest, how do you grow supply when demand is not growing? Or vice-versa [1, 2].
But as governments around the world start investing, this might start to change. Green hydrogen is expected to beat blue hydrogen’s cost by 2030 and natural gas’ by 2050.
It should be quick enough. And while you wait, feel free to check all our channels at https://linktr.ee/tfc.vehicle (link in the bio).
We look forward to hearing from you!](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/277982298_547501573347705_3730291461623659916_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=9bf70qeHxGwAX_teMDU&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=00_AfAOHTjMVDfzxNDjKS4KhFha1J9I6O9qaUcP3HpIzK4v2g&oe=64210E2B)
![F stands for Fuel!
And WE… (someone in the audience screams “HYDROGEN!”) *Crickets sound*
Ok, well, who are we fooling. It is pretty clear by now that our car will run on hydrogen. BUT, did you know there are three different kinds? Actually, there are more; but for the sake of simplicity, let’s stick with these. Based on its production process, hydrogen may be labeled as:
1. Grey hydrogen: it is the most common form and is generated from natural gas, or methane, in a process called “steam reforming”. Essentially, a hydrocarbon reacts with water resulting in hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The hydrogen is grey when the carbon dioxide (CO2) byproduct is released into the atmosphere;
2. Blue hydrogen: the same exact process as before however – and this is a big “IF” – the CO2 is captured and stored. Sometimes, blue hydrogen is referred to as “carbon neutral”, although that is not entirely true. In a best-case scenario, a blue hydrogen facility manages to capture 90% of the carbon dioxide;
3. Green hydrogen: everything you have ever dreamed off; a clean, carbon-free, marvelous piece of bottled energy. Green hydrogen is produced when the electric current generated by a renewable source (e.g., solar photovoltaic panel or wind turbine) runs through water breaking the bonds between hydrogen and oxygen (electrolysis).
So, why don’t we use only green hydrogen for energy production? For one, there is price. Fossil fuels are still abundant and marketed comparatively at very low prices. Green hydrogen requires great amounts of scarce renewable electricity together with electrolyzers which are only now reaching commercial-scale sizes. And, to be honest, how do you grow supply when demand is not growing? Or vice-versa [1, 2].
But as governments around the world start investing, this might start to change. Green hydrogen is expected to beat blue hydrogen’s cost by 2030 and natural gas’ by 2050.
It should be quick enough. And while you wait, feel free to check all our channels at https://linktr.ee/tfc.vehicle (link in the bio).
We look forward to hearing from you!](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/277841605_5255296967848283_4123800407963857834_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=LD-nDed1iDYAX82J2jk&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=00_AfDHN9_FnqXXP4cD-HA62u_AVPRn0NV4rUGHexgvW3rWqA&oe=64223B22)