SellaTheChemistFeb 25
Scathing/sobering assessment of CCS and hydrogen tech in the context of climate change from Julian Allwood. Not a comfortable read. He must have had a hard time with referees because he comments:
Given the vast investment of academic effort …it is hardly surprising that the message of this paper is challenging, and this was made evident in the extensive process of manuscript review… the conclusions of the paper, reflected in the
title, should be seen not as heresy." https://www.nature.com/articles/s44286-025-00344-1
Too late for CCS and hydrogen - Nature Chemical Engineering

Fifty years after it was commercialized, global carbon capture and storage (CCS) capacity is equal to 0.09% of global emissions. Meanwhile, global emission-free electricity generation grows at a steady, linear rate. This Perspective argues that it is now too late for CCS or hydrogen to make a substantial contribution by 2050, so other solutions are required to decarbonize industry.

Nature
Show threadPino CarafaFeb 25
@sellathechemist Alright but what about the longer term? Could they come into their own further down the line, not as the only solution, but as part of a many pronged effort?
Show threadSellaTheChemistFeb 25
@rozeboosje there is plenty of fundamental science that is very interesting. But there are strategic directions being chosen for priority funding that are just misguided and Allwood makes a very strong case that CCS and H2 are a side-show. The fact is that they have very loud and well-funded cheerleaders in the firms that make their money from burning stuff. CCS gives them the cover to keep burning. And H2 sounds like virtuous combustion. but combustion it is. More of the same.
Show threadDr Susi Arnott
@sellathechemist @rozeboosje
(ICYMI this group of Allwoods did some merciless analysis a few years back but seem to have gone quiet
https://ukfires.org/news/)
News – UK FIRES

Feb 25 at 10:19pmWeb