You might think the most abundant element in the universe would have numbers on its side as a candidate to untangle planet Earth’s carbon complications.
But you would need to think again.
Hydrogen continues to ascend the list of lead contenders atop the potential low- to no-greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions fuel pyramid.
It has, after all, numerous factors in its favour. Hydrogen, which can be burned with zero GHG emissions, can also be blended with natural gas and other fuels to reduce their emissions. When consumed in a fuel cell, hydrogen’s only byproduct is water.
It is also faster to fill a tank with hydrogen than it is to recharge a battery.
But producing it requires a lot of energy, and, depending on how that energy is generated, the net GHG savings from using hydrogen vary significantly.
Because it is extremely flammable, hydrogen presents a host of safety issues, especially if it is being used in buildings or for transportation. In addition to being the most abundant element in the universe, hydrogen is the smallest molecule in the universe. As an Energy Innovation (EI) report points out, that creates pipeline leakage challenges.
It also notes that blending as little as five to 20 per cent of hydrogen into pipelines can result in an “unacceptably high risk of explosions in homes or urban areas.”
Small wonder then that while the U.S. has three million miles of natural gas pipelines, it has only 1,600 miles of hydrogen pipeline infrastructure.
The EI report consequently argues that hydrogen applications would be better suited for end users that have no other alternative avenues to decarbonization.
Also, pouring taxpayer dollars into hydrogen’s use in large commercial applications will divert those funds and resources from being invested in more practical decarbonization pathways.
One of those lower-profile but far more viable pathways is the Triple E Avenue: invest in more energy efficiency, education and electrification.
