Great article Andrew. Naysayers “affectionally” call hydrogen fuel cells “fool cells.” When viewed in terms of first principles, the energy required to produce the hydrogen makes them an inefficient energy source.
Of course, there are alternative ways of producing hydrogen, but due to its low density, you would still face incredible storage and distribution issues. These are not insurmountable, but they are unnecessary.
Why pursue hydrogen when you already have an electrical grid for electric vehicles? How could hydrogen ever be economically viable in the face of rapid declines in battery prices due to experience curves?
There are still improvements in batteries to be had. Not only can we reduce cost, but we can also adopt dry-electrode coating, improving energy density. Perhaps even develop a “solid-state” battery with no anode, far lighter, smaller, safer, and cheaper than we can today.
We only get there through “experience curves” or “Wright’s Law.” Which could be the logic behind China’s subsidization of the industry. They are gaining experience far faster than the West. China is likely to do the same in humanoid robotics and microchips.
In general your points about hydrogen fuel are right on. But there are two areas where it seems to me that hydrogen fuel is essential: ships and planes. You cannot power huge transoceanic ships or planes with battery power.
These are niche enough that it might be possible. But even here, IMHO hydrogen is a second-best solution to sustainably-produced conventional fuels. My friend Ben James has the story: https://climate.benjames.io/saf/
Great article Andrew. Naysayers “affectionally” call hydrogen fuel cells “fool cells.” When viewed in terms of first principles, the energy required to produce the hydrogen makes them an inefficient energy source.
Of course, there are alternative ways of producing hydrogen, but due to its low density, you would still face incredible storage and distribution issues. These are not insurmountable, but they are unnecessary.
Why pursue hydrogen when you already have an electrical grid for electric vehicles? How could hydrogen ever be economically viable in the face of rapid declines in battery prices due to experience curves?
There are still improvements in batteries to be had. Not only can we reduce cost, but we can also adopt dry-electrode coating, improving energy density. Perhaps even develop a “solid-state” battery with no anode, far lighter, smaller, safer, and cheaper than we can today.
We only get there through “experience curves” or “Wright’s Law.” Which could be the logic behind China’s subsidization of the industry. They are gaining experience far faster than the West. China is likely to do the same in humanoid robotics and microchips.
In general your points about hydrogen fuel are right on. But there are two areas where it seems to me that hydrogen fuel is essential: ships and planes. You cannot power huge transoceanic ships or planes with battery power.
These are niche enough that it might be possible. But even here, IMHO hydrogen is a second-best solution to sustainably-produced conventional fuels. My friend Ben James has the story: https://climate.benjames.io/saf/