Volts Taming the hydrogen hype
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May 14, 2025 Join climate blogger and author Joe Romm as he revisits the hydrogen discourse with insights from his updated book, 'The Hype About Hydrogen.' He unpacks the economic and technical hurdles that hinder hydrogen adoption, arguing that direct electrification is often a more viable option. Romm examines the challenges of scaling hydrogen production, critiques the misconceptions around its efficiency, and discusses the competitive landscape with renewables. Discover the reality behind the hydrogen push and the urgent need for effective climate action.
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Persistent Hydrogen Hype Debunked
- Hydrogen hype resurges despite century-old economic and technical challenges that remain unresolved.
- Joe Romm updated his 2003 critique, emphasizing hydrogen’s limited role against advancing electricity solutions.
Hydrogen's Current Industrial Role
- Hydrogen production today mainly serves as chemical feedstock, primarily for ammonia fertilizer and oil refining.
- Nearly all hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels, causing significant greenhouse gas emissions.
Green Hydrogen Demand Is Massive
- Replacing existing dirty hydrogen with green hydrogen requires renewable energy equal to the entire U.S. electricity grid.
- This replacement is essential but poses a mammoth energy and cost challenge.