Articles tagged with "hydrogen"
BMW's German plant to get 'world’s first' direct hydrogen pipeline
BMW is set to become the first car manufacturer globally to receive hydrogen directly via pipeline at its Leipzig plant, marking a significant shift in its energy sourcing. The company has partnered with Mitnetz GAS and Ontras Gas Transport to build a 2-kilometer pipeline connection, expected to be operational by mid-2027. This will replace the current method of hydrogen delivery by truck in pressurized cylinders, enabling more extensive and efficient use of hydrogen, particularly in energy-intensive processes like paint shop dryers. The Leipzig facility has a long history of hydrogen innovation, including the introduction of the world’s first fuel-flexible burner in 2022 and a fleet of 230 hydrogen-powered forklifts and tugger trains in operation since 2013. The pipeline project is part of Germany’s broader hydrogen core network initiative, a planned 9,000-kilometer infrastructure aimed at linking hydrogen suppliers and users nationally and internationally by 2032. BMW’s early involvement promises greater supply stability and scalability, reinforcing the plant
energyhydrogenBMWmanufacturingindustrial-energyclean-energyhydrogen-pipelineBlue Threat: Will the EU's Hydrogen Policy Stay Green? - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the European Union's recently adopted Low-Carbon Fuels Delegated Act (DA), which finalizes the regulatory framework for renewable (RFNBO) and low-carbon hydrogen production. While the worst-case regulatory outcomes were avoided, the DA still underestimates the true climate impact of blue hydrogen, primarily due to reliance on outdated methane leakage data and insufficient accounting for midstream emissions such as LNG liquefaction, shipping, and regasification. Additionally, low-carbon electrolysis hydrogen benefits from more lenient rules compared to RFNBO hydrogen, potentially skewing the market and risking the entrenchment of high-emission hydrogen pathways under the "low-carbon" label. Transport & Environment (T&E) recommends that the EU strengthen safeguards by ensuring comprehensive lifecycle greenhouse gas accounting that includes upstream methane leakage and the short-term climate effects of methane. They also urge maintaining regulatory stability to encourage investor confidence and timely Final Investment Decisions for RFNBO projects. Furthermore, T&E emphasizes the importance of
energyhydrogenlow-carbon-fuelsEU-policyrenewable-energymethane-emissionsclean-energyMethanol’s Surprise Rise & Hydrogen’s Decline In Dutch Scenarios - CleanTechnica
The article presents a discussion among energy experts involved in planning the Netherlands' 2050 target grid scenario, focusing on the evolving roles of methanol and hydrogen in the country's energy transition. The conversation highlights a surprising rise in methanol's significance contrasted with a decline in hydrogen's projected use within Dutch energy scenarios. The experts emphasize practical approaches to decarbonization, particularly in the building sector, where electrification is prioritized alongside targeted fabric improvements to support efficient heat pump deployment without excessive capital expenditure. Key takeaways include the recognition that while deep building retrofits (e.g., full façade replacements) are costly and slow, incremental insulation measures—such as roof, cavity wall, and underfloor insulation—can optimize electrification efforts by enabling smaller heat pumps and reducing wasted investment. The dialogue also touches on the broader theme that systemic changes, like urban redesign and mass transit electrification, are necessary but will take decades and substantial investment, making interim solutions like electric vehicles and partial building upgrades essential. Overall,
energyhydrogenmethanolclean-energyenergy-transitionrenewable-energyclimate-actionElectrification Over Insulation: Why "Fabric First" Isn't Climate First - CleanTechnica
The article presents a conversation between Nigel Banks, Technical Director at Octopus Energy, and climate futurist Michael Barnard, focusing on the debate between "fabric first" building insulation strategies versus electrification for climate impact. Barnard, known for analyzing major climate change challenges across sectors like aviation, shipping, and construction materials, emphasizes evaluating solutions based on technical effectiveness, viability, cost, and social acceptance. His work includes decarbonizing building stocks through alternatives to traditional materials and low-carbon heating and cooling methods. During the discussion, Barnard critiques the "fabric first" approach, which prioritizes insulation and building envelope improvements before electrification, arguing that it may not be the most climate-effective strategy. Instead, he suggests that electrification, particularly using renewable energy sources, can offer a more impactful and scalable path to decarbonization. The conversation also touches on the importance of integrating economics, physics, and human behavior in climate solutions, highlighting that some transitions are nonlinear and unpredictable. Barnard’s
energysustainable-energydecarbonizationclimate-changebuilding-materialscross-laminated-timberhydrogenWhy Hydrogen Won’t Win The Zero-Carbon Steel Race - CleanTechnica
The article analyzes the economic viability of emerging low-carbon steelmaking technologies in light of slowed steel demand growth and heightened scrutiny on cost, carbon intensity, and feasibility. It highlights five key steelmaking routes, including hydrogen-based direct reduced iron (DRI) with carbon capture and storage (CCS), natural gas with CCS, and molten oxide electrolysis (MOE). The author emphasizes that realistic assumptions about electricity costs, fuel prices, and carbon policies are crucial for assessing these technologies’ prospects, using examples from Northeastern Europe and Australia to illustrate regional cost variations. A central conclusion is that hydrogen-based steelmaking is unlikely to achieve cost parity due to persistently high green hydrogen prices, which remain between $5 to $8 per kilogram in most developed countries and $3 to $4 in renewable-rich regions. This high cost stems from the inefficiencies and electricity intensity of electrolytic hydrogen production, storage, and compression. Earlier optimistic assumptions about rapidly falling hydrogen costs and free or nearly free renewable electricity have proven
energyhydrogensteelmakingcarbon-capturerenewable-energyelectrolyzerlow-carbon-technologiesEU Rules Out Production Aid In Blow To Battery & Cleantech Industry - CleanTechnica
The European Commission’s newly published state-aid rules, known as CISAF, have been criticized as a setback for the EU cleantech and battery industry. The rules maintain a ban on production aid—subsidies tied directly to units produced—despite the US successfully using such aid to build a competitive battery sector. While CISAF allows governments to take equity stakes in cleantech companies, eases aid for projects approved by the EU Innovation Fund, and conditions foreign automotive investment aid on intellectual property and skills transfer, these measures are viewed as insufficient to address the EU’s lack of competitiveness in cleantech manufacturing. Critics, including green group Transport & Environment (T&E), argue that the EU missed an opportunity to implement simple, predictable, and bankable production aid similar to the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which was promised by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. T&E highlights that although €1.8 billion remains earmarked for batteries under the Innovation Fund, and there
energycleantechbattery-industryEU-regulationshydrogenstate-aidInnovation-FundFrance’s €520/Ton CO₂ Problem: Hydrogen Is Too Expensive For Transport - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the findings of a French audit on the economics of decarbonized hydrogen production via electrolysis, revealing that the cost of avoiding CO₂ emissions through this method is approximately €520 per ton. This figure far exceeds typical societal costs for CO₂ reduction technologies, highlighting that electrolytic hydrogen remains economically unviable without substantial public subsidies. France’s National Hydrogen Strategy (SNH2), launched in April 2025, aims to rapidly expand electrolytic hydrogen production with over €9 billion allocated for this purpose. However, the Cour des comptes report underscores that even optimistic assumptions about energy prices do not significantly improve the economic outlook, and the reported €9 billion in subsidies likely underestimates the true financial burden due to unaccounted infrastructure costs and indirect subsidies. The audit also reveals a complex web of overlapping subsidies that effectively lower the cost burden for hydrogen producers. These include mechanisms like the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which, by increasing carbon costs for fossil-fuel-based hydrogen
energyhydrogendecarbonizationelectrolyzersrenewable-energypublic-subsidiesCO2-reductionMIT turns seawater, soda cans into 90% cleaner hydrogen fuel
hydrogenclean-energysustainable-technologyaluminum-recyclingcarbon-footprintgreen-hydrogenrenewable-energyWorld’s strongest stellarator hits 43-second fusion plasma milestone
energyfusionplasmaWendelstein-7-Xclean-energyhydrogenstellaratorBeyond the Hydrogen Mirage: A Candid Conversation with Joe Romm - CleanTechnica
energyhydrogencarbon-capturesustainabilityclimate-solutionsmethaneclean-technologyToyota’s liquid hydrogen car conquers Fuji 24-hr race with 468 laps
energyhydrogenfuel-efficiencyautomotive-technologyracing-innovationliquid-hydrogenToyota-Gazoo-RacingUltra-thin membrane unlocks 20% cheaper, greener hydrogen fuel power
hydrogenfuel-cellsenergymembrane-technologysustainabilitycost-reductiongreen-technologyIPHE Rejects Science On Hydrogen’s Indirect Warming, Raising Credibility Concerns - CleanTechnica
energyhydrogenclimate-changegreenhouse-gasclean-energyIPHEsustainabilityLondon-New York in 45 mins: New hypersonic jet could fly 7x speed of sound
materialsenergyhypersonicaviationhydrogenaerospacetechnologyFrom Coal Dominance To Renewables: How Poland Changed Its Energy Story - CleanTechnica
energyrenewable-energyhydrogenenergy-transitionPolanddecarbonizationelectricity-gridNikola’s hydrogen trucks hit the auction block
hydrogentrucksauctionenergyfuel-cellNikolatransportationThe Hype Returns: Joe Romm & Michael Barnard Revisit Hydrogen, 20 Years Later
energyhydrogenclimate-changesustainabilityclean-technologyemissions-reductionrenewable-energyPhân tích vai trò hydrogen trong quá trình khử carbon ngành lọc hóa dầu và công nghiệp nặng
energyhydrogencarbon-reductionindustrial-emissionsclean-energyenergy-transitionlow-emission-hydrogenWill Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trucks Just Follow The Hydrogen Car Storyline?
hydrogenfuel-cellstrucksbattery-electricenergytransportationclean-technologyHySpeed Green Hydrogen Play Will Lead To Stranded Assets & Fiscal Losses
energyhydrogendecarbonizationgreen-energyrenewable-energyinfrastructureemissions-reductionCalifornia’s New Hydrogen Subsidy Sinkhole: 13 Cars, Millions Spent, Negative Impact
energyhydrogenclean-transportationzero-emission-vehiclesCaliforniasubsidiescarsharingTriển vọng và thách thức của hydrogen phát thải thấp trong chiến lược chuyển đổi năng lượng toàn cầu
energyhydrogenrenewable-energygreenhouse-gas-reductionenergy-transitioncarbon-capturelow-emission-technologyPipelines To Nowhere: The Real Costs Of TMX & The Dutch Hydrogen Network
energyhydrogeninfrastructurepipelinesCanadaNetherlandsmegaprojectsHydrogen’s Harsh Reality: Plug Power, Ballard, and FuelCell Near the End?
energyhydrogenfuel-cellsPlug-PowerCleanTechsustainabilityfinancial-analysis