H2 is the future. I can't wait for it to take over the world.
I appreciate the argument of energy density but there is a handful of applications (aviation?) where there is a real need for setting up all the hydrogen generation infrastructure.
Don't you need practically everything for it to be new, apart from some buildings perhaps? Maybe some natural gas pipes can be reused at most?
You're also going to need pretty extensive safety zones around H2 infrastructure.
The existing infrastructure of gas stations is not comparable to hydrogen.
- Consumers don't wear cryo gloves as they fill,
- tanks aren't pressure vessels,
- kiosks (and attendants) aren't monitoring pressure
Something governments really need to consider implementing are superfund cleanups of the existing tanks. While some stations ( (especially those at highways where 100+ mile trips are likely) may convert to electric or possibly hydrogen, we have only 2-3 years before 50% of 80% of trips can be "fueled" fromm home.
- The fill nozzles for hydrogen cars are insulated.
- Gas stations manage pressure tanks for propane already, with no problem.
- Automated pressure monitoring has been a solved problem since the steam engine.
- Hydrogen crackers don’t create superfund sites. If they leak, they leak water, hydrogen and oxygen.
A hydrogen cracker can just be plopped down wherever electricity and water are available. You probably need an attendant because of vandals, bathrooms, snacks, etc, like a current gas station. This is why current commercial crackers are often found at existing gas stations.
Not in most of the US
> Hydrogen crackers don’t create superfund sites
But replacing the existing tank to dig another does (whether replaced by hydrogen or electric)
> Automated pressure monitoring has been a solved problem since the steam engine.
Us still have "do not top off" instructions at every pump