Is Hydrogen a potentially good part of the Hawaii “Energy Mix”?

Image from: NuclearNewswire (https://www.ans.org/news/article-2391/does-hydrogen-program-plan-sees-potential-for-nuclearpowered-electrolysis/)

By Madeline Henningsen

“Green” hydrogen is now at the center of discussion as a possible solution to the dilemma our society faces as we seek to wean our electrical grid suppliers and transportation sectors from the fossil fuels on which they depend. The debate takes place from Hawaii to San Francisco to the federal government in Washington DC as policymakers seek a new universal source of base power that is not dependent on the renewable variables of wind, sun, and water. DOE under the Biden Administration has begun a $7 billion dollar program to begin the transition to create regional clean hydrogen hubs throughout the country, beginning with 6-10 hubs. These H2Hubs are one of the largest DOE investments in history and highlight the Biden Administration’s commitment to clean energy and movement towards elimination of fossil fuel use throughout the country. President Biden is working towards a carbon-free grid by 2035 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Hydrogen may be a key player in reaching these goals. 

Image from: DirectIndustry (https://emag.directindustry.com/2020/09/10/europe-invests-in-green-hydrogen-france-germany-energy-renewables/)

A recent article in Wired Magazine “The Problem with Green Hydrogen” (https://www.fastcompany.com/90889357/the-problem-with-green-hydrogen) took up this discussion, referring to a proposed conversion of a gas-fired powered electrical plant to one in which the turbines are powered by Hydrogen. Critics have opposed this plan citing the smog-forming nitrous oxide pollution that can accompany burning hydrogen. However, those supporting the conversion question whether that is substantially different from the nitrous oxide emitted from the fossil fuel-powered turbines currently being used.

Stan Osserman who is a believer in the use of green Hydrogen for transportation warns that it is dangerous to oversimplify this argument. “Burning green hydrogen is not efficient, and discussions of burning H2 is a waste of energy, literally,” Stan Osserman said in response. Stan believes that “hydrogen can do many things well and a lot of things very well, but it doesn’t do everything, it has to be used where/how it makes sense.”

Currently, the most popular method to produce hydrogen is through mixing natural gas with steam, which releases 11 tonnes of CO2 for every 1 ton of hydrogen produced, not necessarily addressing our issue. Technology for the production and use of hydrogen will improve, but at this point, it may not be what should be relied upon.

Again, it begs the question is this the most effective switch that can be made? What is the timeline we are looking at to see a 100% green hydrogen-run city? Here is where arguments for wind power, solar power, and thermal energy come in. The sun will continue to rise, wind will continue to blow and the core of the Earth will always be hot. These are things that are more readily available, and it may make more sense to focus our energy on making the transition to the use of these to diminish fossil fuels before splitting hairs over what percentage of fossil fuels can be safely replaced by hydrogen.

However, in Hawaii particularly, we have access to relatively inexpensive geothermal energy which could be used to produce green hydrogen. Since this is a closed system, the electricity produced from geothermal could power the electrolysis needed to create hydrogen gas without any pollution. This would be a substantial shift from our current dependence on oil or gas that travels thousands of miles, on ships and trucks that are also emitting CO2, to in turn be used for electricity. While it is not currently implemented, it is in the preliminary planning stages and many people are hopeful that it can greatly reduce the carbon emissions from Hawaii. So, deciding on the efficacy of green hydrogen it needs to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.