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On the context of the report which this whole piece is about, skybrian linked to it, here's the english partial translation: https://www.renewable-ei.org/pdfdo

On the context of the report which this whole piece is about, skybrian linked to it, here's the english partial translation: https://www.renewable-ei.org/pdfdownload/activities/REI_JapanHydrogenStrategy_EN_202209.pdf https://www.renewable-ei.org/pdfdownload/activities/REI_Japa... I was wondering what this "renewable energy institute" was, and it's founded and chaired by Masayoshi Son, who's latest notable investments includes huge solar projects here and there. Perhaps there's a lot of valid ideas in it...and I'm all for more renewable energies, but I'd take a lot of this with a shovel of salt.

lovemenot 4y ago
Renewables like solar and wind could be used to charge a battery or to electrolyse H2. This report argues against the latter. Or rather, against the Japanese government's current implementation of an H2 policy. I don't think we need to be cynical here. The report can be read on its own merits.
- makeitdouble 4y ago
  From the report: > The government’s strategy neglects green hydrogen and prioritizes fossil fuel-derived gray and blue hydrogen. It neglects the development of renewable energy sources, reflecting the government’s skewed energy strategy that has set low targets for the deployment of renewables for both 2030 and 2050. Basically, they’re saying: stop allocating resources to alternative H2 production methods, focus all the money you have on the renewables, the field we are massively investing into. On the face of it sounds like a decent argument, but I doubt the reality is as simple as they put it. In particular how much renewables will be able to cover Japan’s energy consumption is largely up for debate (the reports pans the slow pace of H2 technology research, but we’re not there yet with the renewables either). “stop diversifying your efforts and put all your eggs in one(our) basket” is always a dubious message IMHO.
  - lovemenot 4y ago
    Diversifying is worthwhile only amongst good options. It's more like "stop buying broken eggs, they are useless." The report is really all about the failure of H2 policy, and is persuasive. There may perhaps be some political story about budget allocation between alternatives, but there is little indication of that.

lovemenot 4y ago

Renewables like solar and wind could be used to charge a battery or to electrolyse H2. This report argues against the latter. Or rather, against the Japanese government's current implementation of an H2 policy. I don't think we need to be cynical here. The report can be read on its own merits.

makeitdouble 4y ago
From the report: > The government’s strategy neglects green hydrogen and prioritizes fossil fuel-derived gray and blue hydrogen. It neglects the development of renewable energy sources, reflecting the government’s skewed energy strategy that has set low targets for the deployment of renewables for both 2030 and 2050. Basically, they’re saying: stop allocating resources to alternative H2 production methods, focus all the money you have on the renewables, the field we are massively investing into. On the face of it sounds like a decent argument, but I doubt the reality is as simple as they put it. In particular how much renewables will be able to cover Japan’s energy consumption is largely up for debate (the reports pans the slow pace of H2 technology research, but we’re not there yet with the renewables either). “stop diversifying your efforts and put all your eggs in one(our) basket” is always a dubious message IMHO.
- lovemenot 4y ago
  Diversifying is worthwhile only amongst good options. It's more like "stop buying broken eggs, they are useless." The report is really all about the failure of H2 policy, and is persuasive. There may perhaps be some political story about budget allocation between alternatives, but there is little indication of that.