What is Hydrogen? A Practical Guide to Its Uses, Benefits and Challenges

Written by Justin Giles, Type A and B Gas Systems & Appliances (unlimited size systems), Combustion Technician – Gases / dusts / vapours / liquids / solids, Type B Gas Approval Authority, Un-odourised gas risk assessor, Gas system Audits & Risk investigations & assessments, at James Giles Plumbing Pty Ltd

Last Updated - 12 November 2026

Summary

Quick Answer - What is Hydrogen?



Hydrogen is a colourless, odourless, highly combustible gas - the most abundant element in the universe, and one of the cleanest burning fuel options available today. It's rapidly becoming central to Australia's shift to lower-emission energy, though switching from natural gas requires different storage, equipment and safety considerations to use it well.

Introduction

Hydrogen has become one of the most talked-about energy sources in the transition to a lower-carbon future. Governments, manufacturers and industrial businesses are investing heavily in hydrogen technologies, but many people want to know more about hydrogen.

Whether you're exploring hydrogen for industrial heating, manufacturing, energy storage or transport, understanding the basics is the first step. This guide explains what hydrogen is, how it compares to natural gas, the different types of hydrogen, and some of the practical considerations for using it safely and effectively.

What is Hydrogen?

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, but it rarely exists on Earth in its pure form. Instead, it is chemically bonded to other elements, such as oxygen in water or carbon in natural gas. To use hydrogen as a fuel or industrial gas, it must first be extracted from these compounds.

In its pure form, hydrogen is:

• Colourless
• Odourless
• Non-toxic
• Extremely light
• Highly combustible

Today, hydrogen is widely used in petroleum refining, fertiliser production, food processing and chemical manufacturing. As industries work to reduce emissions, hydrogen is also becoming an important fuel for transport, power generation, steel manufacturing and renewable energy storage.

Why is Hydrogen Becoming So Important?

Once you understand what hydrogen is and how it behaves, it's easier to see why it's gaining traction across heavy transport, manufacturing and energy storage.

Hydrogen offers a pathway to reducing carbon emissions in sectors where electrification is difficult.

Potential applications include:

• Heavy transport
• Industrial heating
• Steel manufacturing
• Power generation
• Renewable energy storage
• Marine and aviation fuels
• Natural gas blending

Unlike fossil fuels, hydrogen can be produced using renewable electricity, making it an important part of Australia's transition towards lower-emission energy systems.

Australia's National Hydrogen Strategy, prepared by the Australian Government, will position Australia to become a global hydrogen leader.

How Does Hydrogen Compare with Natural Gas?

One of the most common questions is whether hydrogen can simply replace natural gas.

The answer is not entirely.

Hydrogen contains around 2.5 times more energy per kilogram than methane. However, because hydrogen is much less dense, it requires approximately three times the volume to deliver the same amount of energy.

This has important implications for industrial systems.

Businesses may need to consider:

• Larger storage capacity
• Increased gas flow rates
• Larger pipework
• Modified burners
• Different combustion chamber designs
• Updated gas valves
• Additional leak detection systems

Switching to hydrogen is therefore more than a simple fuel substitution—it often requires a review of the entire combustion system.

What Safety Considerations Should Be Taken Into Account?

Hydrogen has different properties from natural gas that influence how systems should be designed and operated.

Some of the key considerations include:

Flammability

Hydrogen has a wide flammable range in air, meaning leaks must be detected quickly.

Leak Detection

Unlike natural gas, hydrogen is odourless. Dedicated hydrogen detection systems are therefore critical.

Hydrogen Embrittlement

Hydrogen atoms are extremely small and can penetrate certain metals. Over time this may reduce ductility and increase the likelihood of cracking in unsuitable materials.

Selecting compatible materials is an essential part of designing hydrogen infrastructure.

Can Hydrogen Be Blended with Natural Gas?

Yes.

Hydrogen and natural gas blends have been used successfully in industrial applications for many years.

In many industrial combustion systems, relatively low hydrogen concentrations can often be accommodated with minimal impact. As hydrogen percentages increase, however, equipment may require adjustments to maintain safe and efficient combustion.

Depending on the blend, changes may be required to:

• Burner settings
• Combustion controls
• Air-to-fuel ratios
• Emissions management

Each application should be assessed individually.

What Do the Different Colours of Hydrogen Mean?

Hydrogen itself is colourless. The different "colours" refer to how it is produced rather than the gas itself.

Among these, green hydrogen is generally regarded as the lowest-emission option because renewable electricity is used throughout the production process.

Can Ammonia Be Used to Produce Hydrogen?

Yes. Ammonia can be "cracked" through a catalytic process to separate it into hydrogen and nitrogen.

This is attracting increasing interest because ammonia is often easier to transport and store than pure hydrogen.

Potential advantages include:

• Easier international transport
• High hydrogen storage density
• Existing global ammonia infrastructure
• Nitrogen is non-toxic and does not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions

Ammonia may therefore play an important role in future hydrogen supply chains.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that you know what hydrogen is and how it's produced, here are some of the most common questions the James Giles Plumbing team are asked:

Is hydrogen a clean fuel?

Hydrogen itself produces no carbon emissions when used as a fuel. However, its overall environmental impact depends on how it was produced.

Can existing natural gas equipment use hydrogen?

Some systems can operate on hydrogen blends, but higher concentrations or pure hydrogen often require equipment modifications and engineering assessment.

Why is green hydrogen considered the most sustainable?

Green hydrogen is produced using renewable electricity and does not generate carbon emissions during production, making it one of the lowest-emission hydrogen production methods available.

Is hydrogen safe?

Hydrogen can be used safely when systems are designed, installed and maintained correctly. Appropriate leak detection, ventilation, compatible materials and engineering controls are essential.

How much hydrogen can be blended into natural gas systems?

Hydrogen can be blended into existing natural gas networks at varying levels, depending on infrastructure compatibility, safety requirements and regulatory standards.

Key Takeaways

Here's a quick recap of what hydrogen is and why it's becoming so important:

• Hydrogen is a versatile energy carrier with growing industrial applications.
• It differs significantly from natural gas and requires careful engineering consideration.
• The different "colours" of hydrogen describe production methods, not the gas itself.
• Green hydrogen is becoming a key technology in Australia's transition to lower-emission energy.
• Safe hydrogen systems depend on appropriate design, material selection and operational controls.

Talk to a Hydrogen Specialist Today

Want expert guidance on storage, combustion systems and safety compliance for your hydrogen project?  James Giles Plumbing can help. Book a free consultation and find out what a safe, efficient transition to hydrogen could look like for your business.