Electrolysis - Inevitable energy transformer in a world of sustainable energy

The standard of living of a country is now judged by the energy it consumes, since the energy is the basic input to sustain the economic growth by providing the basic amenities of life for the entire population of the country. Nuclear energy, solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy and tidal energy are some of the sources from which energy can be obtained. However, transport of the energy is not possible using these new unconventional energy sources and more than that some of them are available intermittently. In this context many scientists and engineers believe that the hydrogen energy system will be the best in view of the advantages over its chief-rivals - electricity and methanol. Hydrogen has all the favorable properties for transport, distribution and generation of heat and electricity. As for as the safety point of view, it is neither toxic nor radioactive and so does not cause any damage. Even though the hydrogen/oxidizer mixtures have a wide ignition range, tending to rapid deflagration, because of lightness it will diffuse upwards quite fast or burn away quickly. The availability of hydrogen as an energy carrier in economically significant amounts will be in the near future and its cost will be comparable when the fossil resources become scarce. Energy from the later is likely to become costlier if the firm adherence of environmental regulations is closely followed. Hydrogen can be manufactured by a variety of processes and this review paper mainly focuses on hydrogen generation by water electrolysis.