Articles tagged with "hydrogen-economy"
Deutschlands Wasserstoff-Backbone und der lange Schatten des russischen Gases - CleanTechnica
The article analyzes a recently repurposed 400-kilometer pipeline section in Germany, originally built for Russian natural gas transport, now designated as part of the country’s hydrogen backbone. Despite being framed as a forward-looking investment in a hydrogen economy, the pipeline’s physical characteristics—such as its 1.4-meter diameter and capacity of about 55 billion cubic meters per year—align closely with those of the EUGAL pipeline corridor, a major gas infrastructure commissioned in 2020 to transport Nord Stream gas southward through Germany. This suggests that the hydrogen backbone is essentially a continuation of Germany’s former gas strategy rather than a new greenfield project. The pipeline infrastructure is still largely financed under gas network regulations, with an estimated residual book value of around 2 billion euros, reflecting long depreciation periods of 45 to 65 years. The article further situates this infrastructure within Germany’s broader political and economic context, highlighting decades of reliance on Russian pipeline gas to ensure industrial competitiveness, price stability
energyhydrogen-economypipeline-infrastructurenatural-gasenergy-transitionGermany-energy-policyhydrogen-backboneDie Opportunitätskosten des deutschen Wasserstoff-Backbones* - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the significant opportunity costs associated with Germany's hydrogen backbone pipeline infrastructure, which currently spans about 400 kilometers and is operational but lacks connected suppliers or committed customers. This situation reflects a broader European assumption that building hydrogen infrastructure ahead of demand would stimulate that demand. However, the core issue is not hydrogen availability but the capital tied up in assets that do not deliver usable energy outcomes. The article highlights the mismatch between the extensive planned hydrogen infrastructure and realistically expected demand, emphasizing that the pipeline, effectively a "pipeline from nowhere to nowhere," is not yet serving paying customers. Converting existing high-pressure natural gas pipelines to hydrogen service is complex and costly, involving detailed assessments for hydrogen embrittlement, weld quality, and material compatibility. Often, internal polymer linings are needed to limit hydrogen permeation and leaks, increasing material and installation costs. Components such as valves, seals, compressors, and measurement systems require replacement or significant modification to handle hydrogen's distinct properties, leading to substantial additional investment and operational expenses
energyhydrogen-infrastructurepipeline-conversionmaterial-compatibilityenergy-transitionindustrial-energyhydrogen-economyFrom Optionality to Outcome: How Germany Can Reset Hydrogen Without Losing Face - CleanTechnica
The article discusses Germany’s current hydrogen infrastructure situation, highlighting that while a pressurized hydrogen backbone is physically complete, it remains operationally unused with no credible near-term plans to activate it. Major industrial players have indicated that hydrogen’s role in transportation and heating has effectively stalled, shifting the debate from theoretical potential to practical next steps. Policymakers must now focus on protecting households, maintaining industrial competitiveness, and achieving emissions reductions cost-effectively, recognizing that energy infrastructure and industrial policy decisions are national responsibilities. The author, writing from an external perspective, emphasizes the need for Germany to move beyond “hydrogen maximalism” and instead narrow its focus, exercise discipline, and accelerate electrification where it is most effective. Transparent and consistent communication will be crucial in managing this strategic reset without causing defensiveness among stakeholders invested in the hydrogen narrative. The article contextualizes past decisions to preserve hydrogen options as reasonable responses to the 2022 energy crisis and supply uncertainties, but stresses that optionality must now transition to a decision
energyhydrogen-economydecarbonizationenergy-infrastructureindustrial-policyclimate-ambitionelectrificationGermany’s Audit Court Calls Time on Hydrogen Inevitability - CleanTechnica
Germany’s Federal Audit Court released a statutory budgetary assessment in October 2025 critically evaluating the country’s hydrogen strategy against legal requirements including security of supply, affordability, environmental sustainability, climate neutrality, and fiscal prudence. Despite substantial funding—€4.3 billion allocated in 2024 and over €3 billion in 2025—the audit finds the hydrogen strategy failing these tests. It calls for a reality check and alternative plans, warning that continuing on the current path risks Germany’s climate goals, industrial competitiveness, and federal finances. The report highlights a significant shortfall between planned and actual hydrogen production and imports: domestic electrolysis capacity is far below targets, and Germany’s projected import demand would require securing an implausible share of global green hydrogen supply. The audit also reveals that expected hydrogen demand from industrial users and power plants has not materialized as anticipated. Several subsidized steel projects have been delayed or withdrawn, and hydrogen’s role in the power sector has been scaled back, with fewer hydrogen
energyhydrogen-economyGermany-energy-policygreen-hydrogenrenewable-energyenergy-infrastructureclimate-goalsGermany’s Hydrogen Backbone & the Long Shadow of Russian Gas - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica critically examines Germany’s recent conversion of a major natural gas pipeline into a hydrogen pipeline, challenging the narrative that this represents a clean break toward a hydrogen economy. The pipeline segment in question is about 400 km long, running from Lubmin on the Baltic coast to Bobbau in Saxony-Anhalt, with a diameter and capacity matching the EUGAL pipeline corridor. EUGAL, commissioned in 2020 to transport Russian Nord Stream gas through Germany, was a €2.6 billion investment and remains largely depreciated, meaning that most of its capital costs are still being recovered. Thus, the hydrogen conversion appears less like a new greenfield project and more like a repurposing of recent, expensive infrastructure originally designed for Russian natural gas. The article situates this infrastructure decision within Germany’s long-standing political and economic strategy of relying heavily on Russian pipeline gas for industrial competitiveness, supply security, and price stability. Despite multiple geopolitical shocks—including conflicts involving Ukraine and Russia’s
energyhydrogen-economygas-pipelineGermany-energy-infrastructureEUGAL-pipelinenatural-gasenergy-transitionHyundai Pushes The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Mobility Market
Hyundai, a leading Korean automaker known for its successful electric vehicle (EV) lineup, continues to invest in hydrogen fuel cell EVs despite challenges, particularly in the U.S. market where federal policies have been unfavorable to EV adoption. Hyundai is collaborating with French gas company Air Liquide under a renewed Memorandum of Understanding to develop a sustainable hydrogen energy ecosystem spanning Europe, the U.S., and South Korea. Their partnership focuses not only on fuel cell vehicles but also on hydrogen production, storage, transportation, and broader clean energy solutions to support the global energy transition. This collaboration is part of the broader Hydrogen Council, an industry group founded in 2017 by major companies including Hyundai, Air Liquide, BMW, and Toyota, aimed at advancing hydrogen technologies in line with the Paris Agreement on climate change. While green hydrogen development has faced setbacks and slow progress globally, especially in Europe, the Council and its members remain committed to scaling hydrogen use, particularly in heavy-duty transport, logistics, and public
energyhydrogen-fuel-cellsclean-energyHyundaigreen-hydrogenenergy-transitionhydrogen-economyHyundai Pushes Hydrogen Cars In Japan 😂 - CleanTechnica
The article discusses Hyundai's continued promotion of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) in Japan, particularly highlighting the debut of the all-new NEXO at the Japan Mobility Show 2025. Despite Hyundai's strong reputation in battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) like the IONIQ 5 and the INSTEROID concept car, the company remains committed to hydrogen technology, which the author views skeptically given the limited future prospects of hydrogen cars. Hyundai's focus on hydrogen in Japan appears partly strategic, aiming to align with the country's ongoing interest in a hydrogen economy and to strengthen its market presence in a challenging foreign market. Hyundai is using the event to showcase a broad portfolio of electrified vehicles and to engage younger, environmentally conscious Japanese consumers. The company plans to launch the new NEXO in Japan in early 2025 and is fostering community-building efforts like the "Hyundai Motor Club Japan" to deepen brand loyalty and cultural ties between Korean and Japanese customers. While the article questions
hydrogen-fuel-cellshydrogen-economyHyundai-NEXOfuel-cell-electric-vehiclessustainable-mobilityelectric-vehiclesautomotive-innovationHow Bill Gates’s fellowship program is adapting to global uncertainty
Bill Gates’s climate tech organization, Breakthrough Energy, is adapting its fellowship program to address growing global uncertainty, including economic challenges and shifting policy priorities. The program, which supports startups led by budding entrepreneurs, has announced a new cohort of 45 fellows across 22 startups, marking its most globally diverse group yet—with half of the teams based outside the U.S., including locations in Asia, Canada, Germany, the U.K., and South Africa. This international emphasis is partly driven by the opening of a new fellowship hub in Singapore in partnership with Temasek and Enterprise Singapore, reflecting the recognition that climate change solutions must be globally sourced and locally tailored. The new cohort focuses on areas such as hydrogen, circularity (recycling materials), critical minerals, agriculture, and grid modernization, with particular attention to regional priorities like Asia’s interest in hydrogen and recycling due to its manufacturing footprint. The fellowship’s curriculum has also evolved to emphasize techno-economic analysis, encouraging startups to rigorously assess the economic viability of
energyclimate-techhydrogen-economycircular-economycritical-mineralsgrid-modernizationstartup-innovationFracking Hydrogen From Rocks: Clever Tech, Tough Economics - CleanTechnica
The article "Fracking Hydrogen From Rocks: Clever Tech, Tough Economics" from CleanTechnica explores the concept of engineered mineral hydrogen production, where water reacts with iron-rich ultramafic rocks from the Earth's mantle to release hydrogen. While laboratory and modeling results show promise for this clean hydrogen production method, significant challenges arise when scaling to field operations. The technology demands advanced drilling, stimulation, and reservoir management expertise similar to that developed in shale gas and geothermal industries. However, the geographic mismatch between ultramafic rock formations and existing oil and gas infrastructure complicates logistics, increasing costs and operational risks. Additionally, the article highlights the difficulty of aligning hydrogen production sites with nearby industrial offtakers, such as methanol and ammonia plants, which are primarily located along the Gulf Coast and Midwest. Transporting low-density hydrogen over long distances or converting it into carriers adds complexity and cost, undermining the straightforward "field to flange" production model. Technical challenges also include maintaining optimal reaction conditions (temperature,
energyhydrogen-productionmineral-hydrogenultramafic-rocksclean-energy-technologydrilling-technologyhydrogen-economyHydrogen Isn’t The Answer: 0.7-1.5 Billion Tons CO2e Would Make It A Climate Liability - CleanTechnica
The article challenges the widespread perception of hydrogen as a clean-energy solution for decarbonizing difficult sectors such as heavy industry, aviation, maritime shipping, and long-haul trucking. It highlights findings from the EU-funded HYDRA project, which investigates hydrogen leakage throughout its production, transport, storage, and use. The project’s analysis, particularly a study by Politecnico di Torino, reveals that hydrogen leaks could result in 726 million to nearly 1.5 billion tons of CO2-equivalent emissions annually by 2050 when measured by the Global Warming Potential over 20 years (GWP20). This significant climate impact largely undermines the presumed environmental benefits of scaling up hydrogen use. The study also points out that electrolysis, often promoted as the cleanest method for green hydrogen production, has notably high leakage rates averaging around 4%, with some real-world cases reaching over 9%. In contrast, conventional steam methane reforming (SMR) and SMR with carbon capture
energyhydrogen-economyclimate-impactCO2-emissionshydrogen-leaksclean-energyenvironmental-policyAluminum alloys with 40% higher strength can lead to safer components
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute have developed novel aluminum alloys that exhibit a 40% increase in strength alongside a fivefold improvement in resistance to hydrogen embrittlement, without sacrificing ductility. By adding scandium to aluminum-magnesium alloys and employing a complex size-sieved precipitation strategy with two-step heat treatment, they engineered dual nanoprecipitates: fine Al3Sc particles that enhance strength, and core-shell Al3(Mg,Sc)2/Al3Sc nanophases that trap hydrogen and prevent embrittlement. This innovative alloy design overcomes the traditional trade-off between strength and hydrogen resistance. The method was validated across various aluminum alloy systems and demonstrated scalability using industrially relevant casting and thermomechanical processing techniques. Advanced characterization methods, including atom probe tomography and electron microscopy, confirmed the atomic-level hydrogen trapping mechanism. Published in Nature, this research addresses a critical limitation in aluminum alloys for the hydrogen economy by enabling safer, stronger, and more durable components suitable for large-scale industrial production
materialsaluminum-alloyshydrogen-embrittlementscandiumnanoprecipitateshydrogen-economyhigh-strength-materialsUnlocking e-SAF’s Potential for the EU Competitiveness & Energy Independence - CleanTechnica
The article highlights the European Union’s Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP) as a critical opportunity to unlock the potential of e-SAF (electro-sustainable aviation fuel), which is considered the greenest and most scalable sustainable aviation fuel. E-SAF, or e-kerosene, has the capacity to reduce aviation CO₂ emissions by over 90%, making it a vital solution for long-term decarbonization of the aviation sector. Despite supportive regulatory frameworks like the Fit for 55 package and ReFuelEU Aviation, e-SAF projects in the EU have struggled to reach final investment decisions due to high costs, lack of long-term purchase agreements, and market uncertainties. To address these challenges, the article proposes that the STIP should prioritize e-SAF by implementing mechanisms such as a European Hydrogen Clearing House (EHCH). This clearing house would facilitate double-sided auctions to match fuel producers with buyers, ensuring price stability and aggregated demand. Such a system would de-risk investments in e-SAF production through long-term contracts and contracts for differences, fostering scale-up while aligning with the EU’s goals for industrial competitiveness, energy independence, and job creation. Ultimately, prioritizing e-SAF under the STIP is framed not only as an environmental necessity but also as a strategic move to position Europe as a global leader in sustainable aviation fuels and clean energy innovation.
energysustainable-aviation-fuele-SAFEU-energy-independenceclean-energydecarbonizationhydrogen-economyInvestment Risk for Energy Infrastructure Construction Is Highest for Nuclear Power Plants, Lowest for Solar - CleanTechnica
energyconstruction-costsrenewable-energynuclear-powersolar-energyhydrogen-economyinfrastructure-projects