What are the benefits of clean hydrogen?
Article Source: IEEFA Report
Why you should care
Blue hydrogen has been touted as a low-carbon energy alternative that could help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. However, as we strive to combat climate change, it’s crucial to understand whether blue hydrogen truly lives up to its green promises. With its production still heavily reliant on natural gas, blue hydrogen may contribute more to climate change than previously thought.
Answering the question… What are the benefits of clean hydrogen?
Blue hydrogen is produced by reforming natural gas to extract hydrogen, while capturing the resulting CO₂ emissions. Though promoted as a clean energy source, it still generates significant greenhouse gases during production and transport, calling into question its effectiveness as a climate solution.
How was the study done?
Researchers from IEEFA examined the complete lifecycle emissions of blue hydrogen, including methane leaks during extraction, CO₂ emissions during production, and the efficiency of carbon capture technologies. The study relied on real-world data from energy facilities and modeled scenarios to evaluate the environmental impact compared to other energy sources.
What was discovered?
- High Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Blue hydrogen production is associated with up to 60% more greenhouse gas emissions than burning natural gas directly. This is largely due to methane leaks, which are 25 times more potent than CO₂ over a 100-year period.
- Carbon Capture Limits: While carbon capture technology is applied, it only captures 60-90% of the CO₂. This leaves a significant portion of emissions still being released into the atmosphere.
- Energy Inefficiency: The energy needed to produce blue hydrogen, including carbon capture, leads to an overall efficiency loss of up to 30% compared to renewables like wind or solar.
- Methane Emissions: Methane leaks from natural gas production, transportation, and processing contribute to over 3.6% of global emissions, offsetting much of the potential climate benefits of blue hydrogen.
- Costs and Scalability: Blue hydrogen is also significantly more expensive, costing almost twice as much as green hydrogen (which is produced using renewable energy). High infrastructure costs and inefficiencies in carbon capture further drive up the price.
Why does it matter?
The study shows that blue hydrogen may not be the low-carbon solution it’s claimed to be, especially when compared to truly renewable alternatives like green hydrogen or wind and solar energy. The reliance on natural gas means that it still contributes to climate change, both through CO₂ emissions and methane leaks. As such, it’s crucial for policymakers and industries to prioritize genuinely clean energy sources for a sustainable future.
Read the full report here.