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When considering hydrogen as an energy source, it is important to take into account the total cost of generation, transportation, utilization, and recovery. This is because the cost of hydrogen production is influenced by the energy source used, the method of production, and the efficiency of the process. For example, hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power is more expensive than hydrogen produced from fossil fuels. Additionally, the cost of transporting hydrogen can be high due to its low energy density, which requires large volumes of hydrogen to be transported over long distances. The cost of utilizing hydrogen is also influenced by the efficiency of the process, which can vary depending on the application. Finally, the cost of recovering hydrogen can be high due to the need for specialized equipment and processes.

As soon as you have to move hydrogen between two places, hydrogen costs go up again because, as noted, it’s really not very dense and it also likes to leak, being one of the smallest molecules in the universe.

Barnard, M., 2023. Hydrogen Half Truths Keep Shipping Fuel Hopes Afloat. online.

Hydrogen can be a decarbonized, mobile energy store, but only when the mobility requirement is the priority. Otherwise, the electrical energy required to create hydrogen can be more efficiently used in other applications. For example, hydrogen can be used as a fuel for transportation, but the efficiency of hydrogen fuel cells is lower than that of batteries.

The future of shipping is not yet clear, but hydrogen is not a likely choice. While hydrogen has been touted as a potential decarbonized, mobile energy store, it is not the most efficient option for long-distance shipping due to its low energy density. Maybe it is sails?

Hydrogen for shipping

Is hydrogen the energy source looking for a use?

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