Hydrogen is getting tons of buzz lately as a climate-friendly way to store energy long-term and power cars emission-free. Supporters say it could be made renewable by using solar and wind electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. This "green" hydrogen could then fuel vehicles in fuel cells, with only water coming out the tailpipe!
At first glance, hydrogen seems like a great solution to ditch fossil fuels. But having a closer look, the technology still faces some big economic and technical challenges before it's ready for primetime. While hydrogen has potential, we need to go in with open eyes, not hype.
The High Price Tag of Hydrogen
Today, making hydrogen through electrolysis is way more expensive than other methods like reforming natural gas. The U.S. Energy Department says renewable hydrogen costs around $5-6 per kilogram, versus just $1-2 for conventional hydrogen. Delivery and distribution adds even more costs.
Even optimistic forecasts see retail hydrogen only falling to $4-6/kg by 2030. But for hydrogen vehicles to compete on price, it probably needs to be around $2-3/kg at the pump. Mass adoption would require huge investments to slash costs across the whole supply chain. Without ongoing subsidies, high prices will likely restrict hydrogen to niche uses and not make a major emissions impact. Given the challenges, some argue we should focus on cheaper clean options available today.
Technical Hurdles to Overcome
Hydrogen also has some technical downsides compared to alternatives. As a gas, hydrogen has very low density, making storage bulky. It can leak through tiny gaps in tanks and pipes that hold other fuels. Chilling hydrogen into a liquid state takes a lot of energy too.
In vehicles, fuel cells lack the power and energy density of lithium-ion batteries per pound. Fuel cells also require expensive metals like platinum. Any leaks create explosion risks as well, since hydrogen is flammable. While we can engineer solutions, hydrogen seems unlikely to outperform rivals on factors like weight and costs.
Building a Whole New Infrastructure
For hydrogen to go big, we'd need to create massive new production and delivery systems from scratch. Even providing 10% of global energy with green hydrogen would take over 40,000 huge electrolysers. To move it around, thousands more miles of hydrogen pipelines would need to be built. Over a million new filling stations would replace today's gas stations. Even in optimistic scenarios, this infrastructure overhaul would take decades.
The Risks of Overinvesting
Some experts worry putting too many eggs in the hydrogen basket could slow down climate progress. Those resources could instead go to proven solutions like renewable electricity, efficiency, and electric vehicles available now. If hydrogen gets excessive subsidies and policy support too soon, it could delay superior options. Given the uncertainties, forcing hydrogen could lock us into sub-optimal technologies for years.
What's the Future Hold?
While hydrogen proponents envision it dominating energy, the reality is unclear. It may fill important roles like long-haul trucking, shipping, and seasonal grid storage. But big cost and technical improvements are still required for it to compete with alternatives. Rather than going all-in on hydrogen, it makes sense to take a balanced approach. We should support early use cases that make sense while also investing in other zero-carbon options. Depending on innovation, hydrogen's role could grow over time. But overhyping it now risks slowing progress on cleaner solutions we already have.
Takeaway
Hydrogen has exciting potential, but still faces big challenges. It's prudent to stay objective, support measured deployment, and not bank wholly on future promises over real solutions today. If hydrogen can overcome hurdles, it may play a bigger role down the road. But overestimating its prospects early could actually hinder the energy transition if better options are neglected. The path forward remains unclear as these debates play out.
While hydrogen storage might be an intriguing possibility for future energy solutions, it's essential to consider the proven capabilities of current technologies, such as electrical energy storage with batteries. At CLOU, we offer advanced battery storage systems that provide reliable, efficient, and scalable solutions for energy storage needs today. These systems not only support grid stability and energy management, but also complement renewable energy sources by storing excess power for use during peak demand times. Investing in battery storage technology ensures a dependable and immediate impact on the energy transition, bridging the gap as hydrogen's potential continues to develop.
If you have any inquiries or need further information about hydrogen storage, please do not hesitate to reach out to us
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I am here to give to you any info you could need in order to advance for planet decontamination. Bets regards. Mariano
Thank you so much, Mariano! Your willingness to share information and collaborate is truly appreciated. Your insights on hydrogen production in Southern Chile are invaluable, and we look forward to learning more from you.
Best regards,
Tina
Thanks, is a good article. In the South of Chile, done by Wind Energy, very close to Antarctic, estimated price are selling is around $ 2/KG
That's fantastic, Mariano! Thanks for sharing that insight. It's quite impressive to see how different regions are leveraging their unique geographical advantages to produce hydrogen efficiently. The $2/kg price point for hydrogen produced by wind energy in Southern Chile is indeed promising and showcases the potential for renewable energy sources to drive down costs.
If you have more details or experiences to share, we'd love to hear them. Your input helps enrich the conversation around sustainable energy solutions.