Hydrogen Is Problematic, But Not for the Reason Discussed Here

Here’s an article that suggests that our civilization’s use of hydrogen as an energy carrier can result in higher concentrations of greenhouse gases. They claim that fugitive hydrogen combines with certain atmospheric compounds (though they aren’t specific about this) that prevent solar irradiation from being reflected back into space.

Let’s put this into perspective, however.  Suppose for a minute that our future energy scene features a heavy reliance on hydrogen, unlikely as that may be.  Suppose we’re investing huge amounts of energy to the steam reformation of methane or the electrolysis of water.   How much leakage could there possibly be, compared, for instance, to the leakage of natural gas around fracking sites?

This is a non-problem.

 

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