1. Hydrogen fuel is increasingly important in national net-zero plans around the world.
2. Governments are focusing on ramping up production of hydrogen as a new fuel alternative.
3. Public opposition and concerns about safety are major challenges facing the commercialization of hydrogen as a clean energy source.
Governments worldwide are focusing on hydrogen as a fuel alternative to decarbonize industries and meet net-zero targets. The EU recently agreed on a hydrogen policy, with mixed reactions. Some countries, like Germany, have made hydrogen a key component of their climate plans. The US also presented a hydrogen strategy. The production of blue hydrogen, derived from natural gas, has attracted controversy due to its polluting nature.
Hydrogen has diverse uses, is easy to produce, and emits no pollutants when burned. However, challenges such as the varying methods of production, high costs, and public opposition hinder its commercialization. Public acceptance of hydrogen as a fuel source is low, with safety concerns prevalent. Trials for hydrogen heating projects in the UK faced strong opposition from residents, leading to project cancellations.
Despite public sentiment, hydrogen projects are still underway globally, with a focus on blue hydrogen production. Dependency on carbon capture technology for blue hydrogen raises concerns about ongoing oil and gas expansion. The push towards true green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy, is seen as crucial for it to be a viable clean energy source in the future. Public sentiment and technical viability are key challenges facing the hydrogen industry moving forward.