CLEAN hydrogen is likely to play a role in the energy transition, but it should only be used for the most challenging decarbonization sectors – think industrial and commercial applications such as cement production, shipping, aviation, and refineries (though alternatives should be fully considered). Producing hydrogen from water using electrolysis is an incredibly energy-intensive process, placing additional load on an already overburdened energy system as we transition to meet current and future electricity demand cleanly.
Hydrogen must be truly clean, with zero associated emissions throughout the fuel’s value chain. “Green” hydrogen is the only clean form of hydrogen, produced using 100% renewable energy for the electrolysis of water. Other forms of hydrogen production that rely on fossil fuels, such as “blue” hydrogen (produced from fossil fuels where CO2 is captured and either stored or repurposed) will not be a part of a clean energy future. “Gold” hydrogen, extracted directly from naturally occurring reservoirs, should also be heavily scrutinized for associated methane and other greenhouse gases released from those reservoirs.
In October 2023, the Biden Administration announced $7 billion in awards to develop seven distinct “clean” hydrogen hubs across the US, including the Pacific Northwest and Heartland hubs. These hubs are intended to explore the use of hydrogen in different applications and using different quantities of clean hydrogen. The Pacific Northwest Hub includes a “node” in St. Regis, while the Heartland Hub may later expand into eastern Montana. The Pacific Northwest Hub intends to use green hydrogen from hydropower and other renewable energy sources, but the Heartland Hub is slated to include blue hydrogen. To truly guarantee hydrogen is 100% clean, experts have recommended that it must be electrolyzed using clean energy that is: (1) Newly built specifically for hydrogen production; (2) Delivered directly to the electrolysis facility; and (3) Matching the electrolyzer’s power consumption in real-time. While carbon-free, special consideration should also be paid to the extensive water demands of green hydrogen production.
This article was published in the October 2024 issue of Down To Earth.
