CelloMom On CarsJul 3, 2023

"The Biden administration's vision of low-carbon #hydrogen may run into a challenge that is itself exacerbated by #ClimateChange: #water scarcity."

#EnergyTransition #drought #HydrogenHype
https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/bidens-green-hydrogen-plan-hits-climate-obstacle-water-shortage-2023-07-03/

Insight: Biden's green hydrogen plan hits climate obstacle: Water shortage

The Biden administration's climate agenda is facing an unexpected challenge in drought-prone Corpus Christi, Texas, where a proposed clean hydrogen hub would require the installation of energy-intensive, expensive and potentially environmentally damaging seawater desalination plants.

Reuters
Show threadCelloMom On CarsAug 17, 2023

"Nitrogen fertiliser giant #Nutrien has shelved plans for a 1.2 million tonnes-a-year blue ammonia plant at its complex in Geismar, #Louisiana."

#BlueHydrogen is #hydrogen produced from fossil gas with a process of steam #methane reforming, where natural gas is mixed with very hot steam and a catalyst. Nutrien wants to do this with #CCS, so they can call it "clean".

#greenwashing
https://www.hydrogeninsight.com/production/worlds-largest-blue-hydrogen-based-ammonia-project-shelved-due-to-increased-costs-and-lack-of-market/2-1-1499569

'World's largest' blue hydrogen-based ammonia project shelved due to increased costs and lack of market

Fertiliser giant Nutrien has put the plant in Geismar, Louisiana, on hold after announcing it only last year

Hydrogen news and intelligence | Hydrogen Insight
Show threadWolfgang FeistAug 17, 2023

@CelloMomOnCars

I would not exclude, that there is some progress made with such a process.

And, of course, in a next step, the hydrogen can be developed to a more and more "green-H2" fraction.

Show threadCelloMom On Cars

@WolfgangFeist

If you have to invoke carbon capture and storage your project is not climate friendly. That's like sprinkling holy water over the gun with which you are about to perpetrate a crime.

Aug 17, 2023 at 2:08pmWeb
Show threadWolfgang FeistAug 17, 2023

@CelloMomOnCars

1/2

I see what you mean & why.

(Just to confirm: I have nothing to do with this producer #nutrien)

While this general argument is absolutely correct (I share it), I see a big difference here:

-This process can end up running on green H2, but only if it runs on H2 from the beginning
-There is currently not much green H2 on the world market (it's quite expensive)
-This will change over time, with cost reduction for PV systems in the desert

-> 2/2

Show threadeinfachnurRolandAug 17, 2023

@WolfgangFeist @CelloMomOnCars Ich glaube, dass einer von uns beiden den Artikel falsch verstanden hat. Nutrien hat das Projekt gestoppt, weil blauer Wasserstoff doch teurer wird als gedacht und grüner billiger. Somit lassen sie das Projekt sein und investieren in bessere Anlagen, die aber jetzt nicht genannt wurden. Oder nicht?

Das würde bedeuten, dass dieses ganze Narrativ bezüglich erst blau dann grün wohl nicht so einfach umzusetzen ist, wie behauptet.

Show threadWolfgang FeistAug 17, 2023

@einfachnurRoland @CelloMomOnCars

Ups - das scheint dann irgendwie kompliziert zu sein. Bei solchen Konzernen gibt es viel öfter als wir denken auch interne Profilierungskämpfe.

Jedoch: Erst blau - dann grün, da kann nicht viel schief gehen, es ist dem H2 doch egal, wo der herkommt.

Dass das mit dem blauen H2 (außen in ausgesprochenen Sonderfällen) eine Schnapsidee ist, sind wir uns ansonsten vermutlich einig.

Show threadCelloMom On CarsAug 17, 2023

@WolfgangFeist @einfachnurRoland

I read the Hydrogen Insight article again:

"Nutrien had scheduled construction on the $2bn facility — which would use autothermal reforming (ATR) with carbon capture and storage (CCS) to produce blue hydrogen from fossil gas with 90% emissions reduction."

But does not mention green hydrogen at all: it's hydrogen from fossil gas all the way. Nutrien is a fertiliser company trying to re-brand itself as a hydrogen company. Both with fossil gas as raw material.