The world doesn't work without H2

Welcome to GHI edition 2. First of all a BIG thankyou for helping us reach the 400 subscriber mark so soon. Thanks also for your feedback which helps us talk to more of what you want to explore. This month sees new "Mythbusters" and "News" segments alongside our regular focus piece. Enjoy, and please continue to comment as we have much to learn from your perspective: the higher the quality of discussion, the faster we'll save the climate!

THE WORLD DOESN'T WORK WITHOUT HYDROGEN

Half the food we eat is thanks to fertilizers made from hydrogen.

Our kids breathe easier thanks to using hydrogen to reduce Sulphur Dioxides in fuel.

Your computer exists thanks to hydrogen used to manufacture semi-conductors.

Life saving drugs are available thanks to hydrogen isotope tracking in medicine trials.

We visit friend, family and clients overseas thanks to hydrogen "cracking" oil into jet fuel.

Our deliveries arrive thanks to hydrogen also "cracking" oil into fuel for ships and lorries.

Enjoying the view/light through windows is thanks to hydrogen used to make glass.

Your car engine doesn't "knock" thanks to benzene in petrol, made using hydrogen.

Like margarine? It wouldn't exist without the hydrogen used to make it.

"The world doesn't work without hydrogen"

However despite its benefits, conventional hydrogen has a dirty secret: almost all of it is currently made from natural gas (methane CH4). For every kg of hydrogen from methane 9kg carbon emissions are released into our climate. Furthermore, leakages during methane production not only contribute 5% of all global greenhouse emissions but are also 80x more potent than carbon dioxide at causing global warming.

"So then replace it with green hydrogen made from water" you might say: exactly!

"Green hydrogen is made from water, with zero carbon and zero methane"

If our world needs hydrogen to function and there is a zero carbon version available, shouldn't we be using it? Replacing 75 million tons per year of existing dirty hydrogen is the primary role green hydrogen can play right now. There are other potential green hydrogen applications that can be argued, but why bother when the simplest and best business case already exists right in front of us.

"If our world needs hydrogen to function and there is a zero carbon version of it available, shouldn't we be using it?"

As with any new industry there is a cost implication but history tells us that this will be manageable: oil debuted on the market at over $100/barrel market but soon fell to a stable $20; mobile phone prices fell from $4000 to $200 for a modern smartphone. Green hydrogen costs will tumble in a similar fashion as supply and usage increases. Costs can be further eliminated by synching upgrades with the natural cycle of replacing old equipment at its end of life. Let's also remember cost isn't everything: value is just as important. What price would you put on saving the planet?

"The world needs up to 75 million tons of green hydrogen right now"

Replacing dirty hydrogen made from methane with green hydrogen made from water is the only business case we need. There's no excuse not to start. Let's get on with it.

MYTHBUSTERS

MYTH: Hydrogen leakages are a greenhouse gas worse than carbon dioxide

TRUTH RATING: 2/10

THE TRUTH: Hydrogen is not a greenhouse gas and can't directly cause global warming. What the myth alludes to is that hydrogen can react and interfere with other atmospheric elements called hydroxyl radicals, that help reduce the damaging impact of methane in warming our climate. Any competent professional will tell you eliminating risk is better than controlling it: simply eliminating methane renders the effect of hydrogen on hydroxyl radicals irrelevant. Even a report that propelled this myth later acknowledged that the worst leakage scenario for green hydrogen (made from water) is still better for the environment overall compared to dirty hydrogen made from methane.

NEWS

Volvo's steel goes green

Volvo paraded the world's first 100% green steel vehicle for the haulage sector. They further announced that frame rails in their mass produced trucks would be made from green steel made using green hydrogen.

Apple's aluminum goes 100% green

Apple announced that the next iPhone SE model will use 100% green aluminum. Together with Volvo's recent move to 100% green steel in its truck frame rails, they are strong signals of rising demand for green materials in industry.

Bill Gate's blog says cheap, green hydrogen would be a massive breakthrough, and that he's invested in it

Bill Gates' personal blog, GatesNotes.com, published an article this week extolling the virtues and benefits of green hydrogen and how they are a solution to the 35bn tons of carbon (2 thirds of global emissions) that solar/wind/nuclear/batteries struggle to solve.