There might be some situations where it isn't economical to recycle aluminum scrap where this could potentially be an alternative. In such cases the energy woul

There might be some situations where it isn't economical to recycle aluminum scrap where this could potentially be an alternative. In such cases the energy would already be a sunk cost. It also might be more practical to transport aluminum over long distances than hydrogen, given hydrogen's low density and propensity to pass through container walls, especially with existing infrastructure. A standard freight train or bulk freighter could easily haul aluminum one way and aluminum oxide back. Perhaps it's a good way of integrating islands like iceland or hawaii into a hydrogen economy.