Dog eats UK government's Hydrogen Strategy homework just as summer recess arrives
- Reference: 1626877810
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2021/07/21/uk_hydrogen_strategy_delayed/
- Source link:
The milestone report – which is due to outline the government's goals for a hydrogen economy and how it can decarbonise industry, energy, and transport – was expected to be published before Parliament's summer recess to give MPs a chance to scrutinise its findings.
But speaking today during the final oral evidence session of the Science and Technology Committee looking at the role hydrogen could play in achieving Net Zero, Kwarteng admitted that "it may not be possible to publish the strategy, ahead of the recess tomorrow [July 22]."
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Acknowledging that the energy sector and investors are waiting to hear what the government says so that they can make long-term plans, Kwarteng said that BEIS would "try and get it out as soon as possible."
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With the report delayed, it means that those involved in the energy sector will no doubt be studying Kwarteng's words closely to see if they provide any hint to future policy.
While he spoke about the importance of hydrogen, he also struck a note of caution that it was not the "panacea" some believe.
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"As far as I'm concerned, I think hydrogen is a big factor... in our drive to Net Zero," he said.
[5]UK urged to choo-choo-choose hydrogen-powered trains in pursuit of carbon-neutral economic growth
[6]UK gets glowing salute from Bezos-backed General Fusion: Nuclear energy company to build plant in Oxfordshire
[7]Honda links arms with JAXA to prepare humans for life in outer space with 'circulative renewable energy system'
[8]Titanium carbide nanotech approach hints at hydrogen storage breakthrough
"But between those who think it is essentially a panacea that will solve everything, and those for whom it is overhyped, I steer a middle ground.
"I tend to think that in 2021, it would be a foolhardy minister or thinker who could tell you exactly what the energy mix will be in 2050."
The government, he went on to say, needs to keep an "open mind" about different technologies and how they can help the country achieve Net Zero. He was asked whether it was better for government to throw its support behind certain technologies since this would, if nothing else, bring some certainty to the market and investors.
Kwarteng opted for a more "nuanced" and measured approach, adding that picking a winner at this stage from a list of competing technologies was not easy.
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"You will remember 20 or 30 years ago, it was the view that diesel was going to be the great answer to pollution, and people were actively encouraged to take up diesel cars," he said.
"But of course, 20 years on, that was a mistake. So I think there needs to be a little bit more humility and a little bit of a broader approach in terms of technologies."
Today's [10]committee hearing comes as the UK government develops a strategy for hydrogen use with the aim of pressing ahead with largescale hydrogen trials.
Only last month, the Railway Industry Association (RIA) – which can trace its roots back more than 140 years to when its members were busy building steam locos – [11]called on the government to support pilot projects to test the viability of hydrogen not only as a clean source of fuel but as a way to boost economic growth. ®
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[5] https://www.theregister.com/2021/06/24/uk_hydrogen_trains/
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2021/06/18/uk_general_fusion/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2021/06/14/honda_japan_space_agency/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2021/01/07/hydrogen_storage_paper/
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[10] https://committees.parliament.uk/work/890/the-role-of-hydrogen-in-achieving-net-zero/
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2021/06/24/uk_hydrogen_trains/
[12] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: diesel was the future....of course, 20 years on, that was a mistake
Depends on what you burn it in. In pure O₂ you indeed get water, but diesel only produces the NOx pollutants because it's burnt in air, which is 78% nitrogen. Burn H₂ in air and you'll get other combustion byproducts, especially since it burns very hot. Burning it in a fuel cell will be better, of course.
Re: diesel was the future....of course, 20 years on, that was a mistake
Yes it is more complicated https://www.cleanegroup.org/hydrogen-hype-in-the-air/
Re: diesel was the future....of course, 20 years on, that was a mistake
Not helped by the diesel car manufacturers rigging their engine management systems to beat the emissions tests, and the various European governments (UK included) not noticing that the air pollution measurements did not match up with the supposed cleaner emissions produced by the vehicles on the roads (or ignored the mismatch).
One of the problems with hydrogen is that it does tend to invade metals. Attempts to create really high vacuum chambers are beset by the problems of lighter elements penetrating the vessel walls and being liberated when the air is removed.
https://www.imetllc.com/training-article/hydrogen-embrittlement-steel/
"At room temperature, hydrogen atoms can be absorbed by carbon steel alloys. The absorbed hydrogen may be present either as atomic or molecular form. Given enough time, the hydrogen diffuses to the metal grain boundaries and forms bubbles at the metal grain boundaries. These bubbles exert pressure on the metal grains. The pressure can increase to levels where the metal has reduced ductility and strength."
Of course all you have to do then is keep your hydrogen cylinder well below 'room temperature', but that requires cooling and energy.
Re: diesel was the future....of course, 20 years on, that was a mistake
It releases dihydrogen monoxide, a constituent of many known toxic substances, diseases and disease-causing agents, environmental hazards and can even be lethal to humans in quantities as small as a thimbleful.
Some of the known perils of Dihydrogen Monoxide are:
- Death due to accidental inhalation of dihydrogen monoxide, even in small quantities.
- Prolonged exposure to solid dihydrogen monoxide causes severe tissue damage.
- Excessive ingestion produces a number of unpleasant though not typically life-threatening side-effects.
- dihydrogen monoxide is a major component of acid rain.
- Gaseous dihydrogen monoxide can cause severe burns.
- Contributes to soil erosion.
- Leads to corrosion and oxidation of many metals.
- Contamination of electrical systems often causes short-circuits.
- Exposure decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes.
- Found in biopsies of pre-cancerous tumors and lesions.
- Given to vicious dogs involved in recent deadly attacks.
- Often associated with killer cyclones in the U.S. Midwest and elsewhere, and in hurricanes including - deadly storms in Florida, New Orleans and other areas of the southeastern U.S.
- Thermal variations in dihydrogen monoxide are a suspected contributor to the El Nino weather effect.
And I could go on.
But seriously, the problem isn't so much the emissions, it is the way the hydrogen is produced, and the fact that it is near-impossible to store the stuff, because it will escape through the tiniest of gaps.
Where does the hydrogen come from?
While he spoke about the importance of hydrogen, he also struck a note of caution that it was not the "panacea" some believe.
If we don't get hydrogen from gas and releasing CO2 at the same time, where do we get it from. Wind power?
We have 24GW of installed wind power. So far this month electricity demand has averaged just under 29GW so on paper perhaps we will soon have green electricity to spare? Sadly not in practice. So far this month wind power has averaged less than 2.5GW. Gas and coal (yes we are still burring a little coal in July) together have averaged over 12GW so far this month. There is a way to go before we can stop burning coal let alone gas, and a mountain to climb before we have enough excess capacity to start using it to make hydrogen.
diesel was the future....of course, 20 years on, that was a mistake
Please do tell us what you think the unknown potential consequences for the environment that the dangerous byproduct of burning hydrogen called "water" might be......