Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

NickB79

(19,623 posts)
Fri Mar 8, 2024, 06:10 PM Mar 2024

Blue hydrogen could contribute 50% more to global warming than fossil fuels (and green hydrogen isn't immune either)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/blue-hydrogen-could-contribute-50-more-to-global-warming-than-fossil-fuels/ar-BB1iNk4Z

Some previous analyses have estimated total potential emissions reductions from the use of blue hydrogen at around 70%, the researchers note. They say a worst-case scenario could actually see near-term global warming increase by 50% compared with fossil fuels.

The study assumes a 60% carbon capture rate rather than the 98% often cited by CCS and blue hydrogen advocates, principally because the technology has not yet come close to removing total on-site emissions at commercial scale, explain the researchers.


They also had bad news for green hydrogen, mainly due to the fact that hydrogen itself is a potent greenhouse gas when it leaks into the atmosphere.

For green or renewable hydrogen, which is made from the renewables-powered electrolysis of water, the near-term climate benefits also drop by 25% when the full climate impact of hydrogen is factored in. Hydrogen, the smallest known molecule in the universe, “is a leak-prone gas with a potent indirect warming effect in the near-term due to the fact that its chemical oxidation in the atmosphere increases other short-lived greenhouse gases in the atmosphere – methane, tropospheric ozone, and stratospheric water vapour”, the paper explains.
1 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Blue hydrogen could contribute 50% more to global warming than fossil fuels (and green hydrogen isn't immune either) (Original Post) NickB79 Mar 2024 OP
RMI: Hydrogen Reality Check #1: Hydrogen Is Not a Significant Warming Risk Caribbeans Mar 2024 #1

Caribbeans

(976 posts)
1. RMI: Hydrogen Reality Check #1: Hydrogen Is Not a Significant Warming Risk
Fri Mar 8, 2024, 06:55 PM
Mar 2024

Hydrogen Reality Check #1: Hydrogen Is Not a Significant Warming Risk

May 9, 2022
By Thomas Koch blank, Raghav Muralidharan, Kaitlyn Ramirez, Alexandra Wall, Tessa Weiss

The Myth
Recent reports have suggested that large-scale production of hydrogen could do more harm than good in the effort to reduce global warming.

The Reality
The climate benefit from a well-regulated clean hydrogen economy outweighs the impact of any emissions that hydrogen would add to our energy system, especially if we prioritize hydrogen produced from renewables-powered electricity
...
https://rmi.org/hydrogen-reality-check-1-hydrogen-is-not-a-significant-warming-risk/

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Environment & Energy»Blue hydrogen could contr...