John Dizard makes a compelling case for why “a hydrogen economy is beyond the visible horizon”, citing the complexity of building a pipeline network to transport hydrogen at scale (“War bolsters the quest for a hydrogen alternative to gas but hurdles are high”, Opinion, March 5).
Fortunately for both energy security and the climate, we don’t need a separate hydrogen economy for hydrogen to deliver on its promise. Unlike oil and gas, hydrogen is not a molecule that we dig out of the ground and then need to transport around the world to where it is needed. Rather, like electricity, it is a mode of energy that we can choose to produce and consume where and when we need it, and it is an ideal complement to renewable electricity.
As Dizard recognises, hydrogen is valuable both as a fuel for heavy transport and industry and as a means of energy storage to complement renewable energy. It can also, when shipped as ammonia, provide a way to move renewable energy from countries with ample solar resources, like Saudi Arabia, to those with limited renewable generation potential, like Japan.
However, there is no reason to build a hydrogen pipeline infrastructure. We already have an excellent mechanism for transporting energy long distances overland: electricity.
Our existing electricity grid is well suited, and with new technology will be much better suited, to move renewable energy long distances. We can then produce the hydrogen cost effectively where it is needed.
Paul Domjan
Former Energy Security Adviser to the NATO Commander/US European Commander
Chief Executive and Founder, Enoda London N6, UK
Letter: Hydrogen is the ideal complement to renewable electricity
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