The Promises and Perils of the Hydrogen Economy with Peter Kelly-Detwiler | EP207

The hydrogen economy is all the rage, with billions in government funding and skyrocketing private investment. But should we buy into the hype? Energy and utility guru Peter Kelly-Detwiler joins Tim Montague to separate fact from fiction about the promises and perils of the hydrogen economy. They discuss the existing hydrogen economy, which is largely centered around industrial processes like refining and fertilizer production, and the potential for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors like steelmaking, high-heat industrial processes, and long-haul transportation using green hydrogen.Peter explains the challenges and opportunities associated with producing green hydrogen cost-effectively, including the need to drive down renewable energy costs, improve electrolyzer efficiency, and achieve economies of scale.They also delve into the complexities of transporting and storing hydrogen, including the limitations of existing natural gas pipelines and the potential for leakage, which could indirectly contribute to global warming.The conversation touches on various pilot projects and initiatives, such as the Inflation Reduction Act's incentives for green hydrogen, the Department of Energy's Hydrogen Hubs program, and hybrid power plants aiming to blend hydrogen with natural gas (ACES in Utah) or potentially transition to pure hydrogen.Peter emphasizes the importance of failing fast and discarding approaches that don't work, as well as being cautious about investing in the wrong areas, which could provide ammunition to those who don't wish for a successful energy transition.Overall, the episode provides a nuanced and balanced perspective on the role of hydrogen in the energy transition, highlighting both its potential and the need for careful consideration of its costs, efficiency, and environmental impacts.Peter emphasizes hydrogen is a tool in the decarbonization toolkit but not a "Swiss army knife" that solves all problems. The next few years will provide more clarity on its optimal role in the energy transition.Social MediaPeter Kelly-DetwilerWebsiteHydrogen Ladder 5.0 Support the showConnect with Tim Clean Power Hour Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email [email protected] Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: [email protected] Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

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