Re:Ask HN: Is hydrogen likely to be a major source of power ...
by outworlder on Wednesday September 23, 2020 @01:48PM
(#24569838)
> But current battery technologies need elements that require mining and other environmentally taxing processes
But hydrogen requires production, either from fossil fuels, or electrolysis, both can be environmentally taxing. It requires transport. It requires either liquefaction or compression. It require mining to manufacture suitable storage tanks - which will become brittle and have to be replaced pretty often.
> Hydrogen also depletes along the trip unlike battery which will be massive dead weight for planes & ships.
This is indeed a major difference.
Frankly, if you want to burn hydrogen, you're better off synthesizing something like methane. It's a far more effective storage mechanism. After all, if you are willing to spend the massive amount of resources required to do large-scale electrolysis, you might as well go the extra step and setup some sabatier reactors. You'll recapture the CO2 too.
But hydrogen requires production, either from fossil fuels, or electrolysis, both can be environmentally taxing. It requires transport. It requires either liquefaction or compression. It require mining to manufacture suitable storage tanks - which will become brittle and have to be replaced pretty often.
> Hydrogen also depletes along the trip unlike battery which will be massive dead weight for planes & ships.
This is indeed a major difference.
Frankly, if you want to burn hydrogen, you're better off synthesizing something like methane. It's a far more effective storage mechanism. After all, if you are willing to spend the massive amount of resources required to do large-scale electrolysis, you might as well go the extra step and setup some sabatier reactors. You'll recapture the CO2 too.