[ applications ]
Hydrogen use technologies such as liquefaction , ammonia , and methanol production do not readily accommodate on / off operation considering the cold temperature for liquefaction or high temperatures conversion reactions . These factors are in addition to challenges related to availability of funding , ability to secure proper permitting , and in securing offtake agreements . Combined , these challenges lead to project announcements across the sector that fail to get underway , even while accounting for available tax credits .
Many proposed hydrogen technologies provide significant environmental benefits above and beyond simply displacing fossil hydrogen from natural gas ( EIA , 2023 ). For example , hydrogen powering fuel cell vehicles displaces double the volume of diesel on an energy basis , signifying a notable indirect effect in end-use applications . Prioritizing applications with the most substantial environmental benefit would support the intended goals of the IRA and the strategic green hydrogen roadmap . Storing renewable power will also be costly in the near term . Therefore , the best pathway to success with green hydrogen may lie in a combination of relief on three pillars with technologies that have the largest impact on GHG reductions .
Note
1
8 g CO 2 e / kWh × 55 kWh / kg H 2
= 0.44 kg CO 2 e / kg H 2
.
References
ANL . ( 2023 ). Guidelines to Determine Well-to-Gate Greenhouse Gas ( GHG ) Emissions of Hydrogen Production Pathways using 45VH2-GREET 2023 .
Chao , J . ( 2017 , October 6 ). Berkeley Lab .
DOE . ( 2023 ). U . S . National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap .
EIA . ( 2019 , February 21 ). New methanol plants expected to increase industrial natural gas use through 2020 .
EIA . ( 2021 , March 21 ). Natural Gas Weekly Update . EIA . ( 2023 , April 28 ). Natural Gas Explained .
EU Commission . ( 2023 , February 13 ). Commission Sets Out Rules for Renewable Hydrogen .
Federal Register . ( 2023 , December 26 ).
IEA . ( 2019 ). The Future of Hydrogen : Seizing today ’ s opportunities .
IRS . ( 2023 , December 26 ).
Le PA , T . V . ( 2023 Sep 25 ). The current status of hydrogen energy : an overview . RSC Adv 13.40 : 28262 – 28287 .
Martin , P . ( 2024 , February 23 ). Hydrogen Insight .
Sustainability 15.2 ( 2023 ): 1623 .
Hydrogen ’ s present and future in the US energy sector . ( 2021 , October 7 ). A & O Shearman .
Journal of CO 2
Utilization 68 ( 2023 ): 102345 .
Unnasch , S . ( 2018 ). GHG Analysis of Kalama Manufacturing and Marine Export Facility . Life Cycle Associates Report LCA . 6132.185.2018 , prepared for Northwest Innovation Works .
Wakelin , S ., & Beets , P . ( 2021 ). Emission factors for managed and unmanaged Grassland with Woody Biomass . Ministry for the Environment .
Wang , M . ( 2023 ). Summary of Expansions and Updates in R & D GREET ® 2023 . ANL .
About Life Cycle Associates
Life Cycle Associates is a trusted partner for clients worldwide , assisting in emissions reduction and environmental impact mitigation . Their expertise lies in life cycle greenhouse gas emission analysis of fuel and energy production pathways , with extensive use of models such as GREET , IRA 45V , and GTAP . They offer services that include the modification of the California GREET model , development of initial pathway documents for the LCFS , support for fuel pathways under the LCFS , RFS2 , and EU Renewable Energy Directive ( RED ), as well as determining the applicability of Inflation Reduction Act ( IRA ) provisions . A significant portion of their work in biofuels and other alternative fuels concerns the evaluation of new fuel production technologies , their energy balance , and economics . For more information about their hydrogen experience , visit their website : https :// www . lifecycleassociates . com / Experience / hydrogen-experience /.
30 Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 17 | August 2024