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https://theconversation.com/thirsty-future-australias-green-hydrogen-targets-could-require-vastly-more-water-than-the-government-hopes-252044>
"Green hydrogen is touted by some as the future – a way for Australia to slowly
replace its reliance on fossil fuel exports. The energy-dense gas has the
potential to reduce emissions in sectors challenging to decarbonise, such as
steelmaking and fertiliser manufacturing.
The Albanese government wants it to be a massive new export industry and has
laid out a pathway through its National Hydrogen Strategy.
Unfortunately, there’s a real gap between rhetoric and reality. Despite
ambitious plans, no green hydrogen project has yet succeeded in Australia. The
technology’s most prominent local backer, billionaire miner Twiggy Forrest, has
dialled down his ambition. Globally, just 7% of announced green hydrogen
projects are up and running.
Economic viability is one problem. But there’s a much larger issue flying under
the radar: water. Hitting the 2050 target of 15 million to 30 million tonnes of
hydrogen a year would use 7–15% of the amount Australia’s households, farms,
mines and black coal power plants use annually. That’s simply not sustainable."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
