cross-posted from: https://aussie.zone/post/1152282

There are two primary forms of hydrogen production: extraction via electrolysis, utilising electricity to split water to produce hydrogen as energy storage medium, or chemical extraction, a process through which fossil fuels are stripped of their hydrogen molecules, releasing CO2.

This means with current production standards, electrolysis, the “Green” option, is in fact more damaging for the environment than hydrogen produced from fossil fuels.

Chemically extracted hydrogen is currently produced at a cost of ~$2.24/kg, with ~75% of production costs being fossil fuels.

“I believe passionately that I would be betraying future generations by remaining silent on the fact that Blue Hydrogen is at best an expensive distraction, and at worst a lock-in for continued fossil fuel use that guarantees we will fail to meet our decarbonisation goals.” - Christopher Jackson on stepping down from chair of the UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association.

In 2017, Shell, Total and 11 other fossil fuel industry members announced the formation of the Hydrogen Council.

The Hydrogen Council is a group of fossil fuel heavyweights who have formed a single united front in the pursuit of hydrogen uptake.

The Minerals Council of Australia, which has been found to be the “Single largest negative influence on Australian Climate policy”, is also a hydrogen advocate, sharing many of its members with both the Hydrogen Council and the GCCS Institute.