Hydrogen fuel looks good on paper, but in reality, it’s costly, inefficient, and not a practical solution for the world’s energy needs or for meeting our climate goals. Here’s 5 reasons why:
Fossil Fuel Reliance: Most hydrogen is extracted from natural gas AKA methane. While some claim to capture the carbon released while hydrogen is separated, studies show this is minimal, and hydrogen produced from methane releases about the same carbon emissions as burning methane.
Low Energy Density: Pressurized hydrogen contains only 1/6th the energy of gasoline, making hydrogen-powered cars less efficient and more expensive to fuel.
Rare Metals: The rare metals needed for hydrogen fuel cells—like platinum and iridium—are limited and concentrated in a few countries, driving up costs and raising supply chain concerns.
Hydrogen Embrittlement: Hydrogen atoms can diffuse into other metal’s microstructures, weakening them over time and threatening structural integrity.
Mining Emissions: Recently, natural reservoirs of possibly self-renewing pure hydrogen have been found, sparking a surge in new mining startups who hope to find more natural deposits. But extracting hydrogen from the earth can release other trapped greenhouse gasses, complicating its environmental benefits.
Furthermore, it’s important to note that the biggest backer of “blue” hydrogen–that is, hydrogen extracted from methane–is none other than the fossil fuel industry who have a vested interest in keeping the world dependent on their climate change-driving product.
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