4 ms·

No, it’s not when you count the cost of compressing it. Even if it was possible to have completely free hydrogen (and it’s not possible) the compression cost wo

No, it’s not when you count the cost of compressing it. Even if it was possible to have completely free hydrogen (and it’s not possible) the compression cost would lower the efficiency to something around 60% if I remember correctly. Adding to that the storage tank cost and the far bigger explosion potential compared to batteries its supposed advantage is dwindling fast given the continuous improvement in batteries.

kumarvvr 5y ago
I agree. However, for remote solar power plants, having an explosive H2 tank is much lesser of a problem than in residential areas. IMV batteries are not sustainable. Currently there is a huge hype on batteries, but once the first set of batteries start dying out and the disposal process begins, we will have to deal with a lot of toxic waste. This is going to start happening in about 10 years or so. Suppliers like Tesla and Panasonic might be making recyclable ones, but Chinese vendors scarcely give a thought to recyclability.
nuerow 5y ago
> Even if it was possible to have completely free hydrogen (and it’s not possible) the compression cost would lower the efficiency to something around 60% That's pretty much irrelevant. Hydrogen is used as an energy store. Thus the whole point is to generate it where it's cheap to generate, and afterwards transport it to customers willing to pay for it. Therefore conversion effixiency is irrelecant and the key factor is market price, whose lower bound is dictated by the combination of production cost and how much it costs to transport it. To illustrate how irrelevant conversion efficiency is, keep in mind that right now both Morocco and Australia are investing in Hydrogen export. If I recall > if I remember correctly. Adding to that the storage tank cost and the far bigger explosion potential compared to batteries its supposed advantage is dwindling fast given the continuous improvement in batteries. You're already describing how natural gas is used. Not only are there large natural gas storage tanks in residential neighborhoods but also there are plenty of major cities throughout the world where natural gas is piped straight into apartment buildings.

kumarvvr 5y ago

I agree. However, for remote solar power plants, having an explosive H2 tank is much lesser of a problem than in residential areas. IMV batteries are not sustainable. Currently there is a huge hype on batteries, but once the first set of batteries start dying out and the disposal process begins, we will have to deal with a lot of toxic waste. This is going to start happening in about 10 years or so. Suppliers like Tesla and Panasonic might be making recyclable ones, but Chinese vendors scarcely give a thought to recyclability.

nuerow 5y ago

> Even if it was possible to have completely free hydrogen (and it’s not possible) the compression cost would lower the efficiency to something around 60% That's pretty much irrelevant. Hydrogen is used as an energy store. Thus the whole point is to generate it where it's cheap to generate, and afterwards transport it to customers willing to pay for it. Therefore conversion effixiency is irrelecant and the key factor is market price, whose lower bound is dictated by the combination of production cost and how much it costs to transport it. To illustrate how irrelevant conversion efficiency is, keep in mind that right now both Morocco and Australia are investing in Hydrogen export. If I recall > if I remember correctly. Adding to that the storage tank cost and the far bigger explosion potential compared to batteries its supposed advantage is dwindling fast given the continuous improvement in batteries. You're already describing how natural gas is used. Not only are there large natural gas storage tanks in residential neighborhoods but also there are plenty of major cities throughout the world where natural gas is piped straight into apartment buildings.