The Hydrogen Economy – More Green Mythology

Energy Matters

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on their new draft energy strategy and targets (links are top right on the page linked to). The new energy strategy in general terms has four main strands: 

1. A four-fold increase in renewable energy production by 2030.
2. Embracing a hydrogen economy, especially in the areas of heat and transport.
3. Employing carbon capture and storage to decarbonise CCGT power stations required to balance the grid and H2 production from methane.
4. The phasing out of nuclear power by 2030.

This post will focus on the thermodynamics, efficiency and costs of making H2 via electrolysis of water and steam methane reforming. I calculate costs of £142 / MWh for electrolysis and £100 / MWh for steam methane reforming (SMR). These compare with industrial methane prices of £15 / MWh at odds with multiple claims made by the Scottish Government that hydrogen is a low cost option.

Cont....