Hydrogen for residential heating
Insights from TPEX consultancy for decision makers.
Why pursue hydrogen for residential heating?
Written SH on 2022-08-29.
In future tp . Tagged politics climate
As the energy crisis of autumn 2022 continues to present in stark relief it is unsurprising that a variety of long-term solutions are presented and all potential solutions should be considered. Our horizon scanning and future imagining advocacy cause us to often consider the extremes of what could be considered possible.
Hydrogen gas burning for energy and heat is one such possibility. It is however one that we do not consider to be ideal due to the difficulty in handling and sourcing the required hydrogen without passing through another solution.
The proponents of unchecked hydrogen use are on the wrong side of the evidence, and history. They ended up there because of money — or more specifically, sunk assets, which are now under threat as the world attempts to move away from fossil fuels and its associated infrastructure.Lowes, R. & Cebon, D., 2022. Wrong side of history Wake up to the hype around green hydrogen for heating. online.
Our opinion of it not being ideal is essentially irrelevant and therefore domestic hydrogen will remain within our rubric of possible futures. This is primary due to the political climate as it is clearly responsive to its potential. Such issues as this can sometimes offer indication as to the goals of legislative endeavours.
Tenth Person
Residential consumption of hydrogen for heating supports valuations of the pre-existing gas delivery network, especially if the required upgrades to the network can be funded through policy. Until clear legislative direction is given that will yet remain a chance that domestic hydrogen will or will not occur regardless of the its actual cost/benefit analysis.
Future Imagining
Technology will almost certainly play a role in the provision climate change reversing energy generation. The promise and hope of science Is that such technology as soon to arrive. It is yet possible that energy will become abundant but society will have to decide if it will ever be affordable. What would we do with abundant affordable energy? Or would we prefer scarcity for profitability?
References
Lowes, R. 2022. Wrong side of history Wake up to the hype around green hydrogen for heating. [online] Available at:
About TPEX
TPEX offers future imagining and tenth person consultancy for decision makers looking to consider the future, before opportunities are missed. We offer online and in-person consultancy to help your business make informed decisions about the future.