Hydrogen is promoted as a clean fuel for everything, and this category asks where it actually makes sense. Our posts look at the physics and the economics: the carbon intensity of hydrogen, why hydrogen is itself a greenhouse gas, the problems of storing and transporting it, and the cost of electrolyzers. Many posts conclude that hydrogen for cars, buses, trains, motorcycles and home heating loses to batteries and direct electricity, and that unrealistic 2030 goals and billions of dollars of public money deserve scrutiny.
We do not dismiss hydrogen entirely. Posts also explore green hydrogen opportunities and progress from Fortescue, new technologies for cheaper hydrogen, geologic or gold hydrogen, and where hydrogen could replace fossil fuels in heavy industry. The aim is to separate myths from real opportunities.
Other articles examine Australia’s hydrogen superpower vision, the failure of hydrogen strategies at car makers such as Stellantis, a dead end in China, and expert views distilled from Dr Paul Martin. If you need a clear, evidence-based view of the hydrogen debate and the places it may truly be needed, start here.
Hydrogen is promoted as a clean fuel for everything, and this category asks where it actually makes sense. Our posts look at the physics and the economics: the carbon intensity of hydrogen, why hydrogen is itself a greenhouse gas, the problems of storing and transporting it, and the cost of electrolyzers. Many posts conclude that hydrogen for cars, buses, trains, motorcycles and home heating loses to batteries and direct electricity, and that unrealistic 2030 goals and billions of dollars of public money deserve scrutiny.
We do not dismiss hydrogen entirely. Posts also explore green hydrogen opportunities and progress from Fortescue, new technologies for cheaper hydrogen, geologic or gold hydrogen, and where hydrogen could replace fossil fuels in heavy industry. The aim is to separate myths from real opportunities.
Other articles examine Australia’s hydrogen superpower vision, the failure of hydrogen strategies at car makers such as Stellantis, a dead end in China, and expert views distilled from Dr Paul Martin. If you need a clear, evidence-based view of the hydrogen debate and the places it may truly be needed, start here.
Actor network theory or ANT described by Bruno Latour can be used to understand why the world thought hydrogen was a critical part of carbon emissions reduction to mitigate climate change. Turns out that the black box of Hydrogen is a myth. Based on faulty science, supported by subsidies to support existing fossil fuel companies. Thankfully is dying as the box is exposed.
Green hydrogen may not be green. Blue hydrogen may be worse than other hydrogen colours if the methane gas has leaks. Depending on the source of methane, electricity the climate change emissions of hydrogen varies by source, electrolyser efficiency, carbon capture and storage efficiency. The life cycle analysis needs to be done on all hydrogen projects to see how they can reduce carbon emissions.
Hydrogen itself is not a direct greenhouse gas, as it does not absorb infrared radiation. However, evidence suggests it acts as an indirect greenhouse gas. When released, it extends methane’s atmospheric lifetime, increases tropospheric ozone, and adds stratospheric water vapor, all of which contribute to warming. Studies estimate its 100-year Global Warming Potential at 11.6 ± 2.8.
Hydrogen will be an essential fuel for the zero emissions economy says Dr Andrew Forrest in an interview on Cleaning Up Eps 210. With a 80% reduction in size, and an increase in efficiency to 96%, green hydrogen ammonia will move ships and enable green steel.
Geologic or gold hydrogen has potential to be part of the clean energy transition. Potential LCA and cost is low ($1kg), but there are technological and economic hurdles Co-production of helium with geologic hydrogen could be a key factor in making this technology commercially viable.
Research and development may determine the true potential of geologic hydrogen.
China is a good comparison of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. In Foshan city an H2 tram has been mothball and when you look at all cars and public transport, it is hard to see where the use case for hydrogen is.
Previously we outlined ten reasons hydrogen was dead for transportation, yet we see Stellantis flawed hydrogen strategy proposed by the […]
Will Australia be a hydrogen superpowre and is the vision fantasy or reality. The absolute physics suggest that Australia can use its vast area and high sunlight for adding value to exisiting exports of iron, aluminium and minerals.
Dr Paul Martin, a 30 veteran in the hydrogen engineering business distills his hydrogen thoughts into a Linkedlin Article. This post attempts to summarise his 30 plus articles to the key essence. Hydrogen is not a fuel.
A credibility gap exists between stated Hydrogen suse and progress to date. Michael Liebreich terms this missig trillions of investment needed to achieve the goals.
