The next step is to use excess renewable energy to electrolyze water and make hydrogen. To get to the next step requires direct air capture of CO₂. We haven't s

The next step is to use excess renewable energy to electrolyze water and make hydrogen. To get to the next step requires direct air capture of CO₂. We haven't solved that last problem yet. Also, it is not really necessary to go to that step in many cases. Steel can directly use hydrogen in production. Natural gas turbines can switch to hydrogen instead. So any kind of hydrocarbon quickly becomes a value-added cost that may only make sense if you need that particular hydrocarbon.