Hydrogen Basics

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, though it is not found naturally on Earth. Hydrogen must be extracted from other sources. In its purest form, hydrogen is a non-toxic colorless and odorless gas.

Hydrogen (when used as a fuel), like electricity, is an energy carrier rather than an energy resource. Both electricity and hydrogen can be produced from all energy resources available (including, natural gas, solar and wind electrolysis, biomass, and others). Hydrogen and electricity can be generated from greenhouse gas-neutral sources, addressing climate change and urban air quality problems. As with electricity, hydrogen can also be produced from sustainable domestic and renewable energy resources, such as wind or solar-powered electrolysis, which enhances our long term energy security.

Millions of metric tons of hydrogen are produced annually in the United States. Hydrogen is being increasingly viewed as essential decarbonization options across the United States and around the world for a wide range of sectors, including transportation, goods and people movement, power generation, energy storage, natural gas blending, marine propulsion, aviation, heating, steelmaking, and other industrial applications. The current primary uses for hydrogen today are for petroleum refining, ammonia for fertilizer, chemical, and food industries.

If you are interested in more information about hydrogen as a driver of a carbon neutral economy, check out our Hydrogen Bonds page.

Hydrogen has been safely produced and used in the U.S. and around the globe for nearly half a century.  As with every fuel, safe handling practices are required but hydrogen is non-toxic and does not pose a threat to human or environmental health if released.

For more information on hydrogen codes, standards, and regulations, see our Codes and Standards Overview.

For more information on Hydrogen Safety, check out our Fact Sheet here.