Wide range in estimates of hydrogen emissions from infrastructure
Hydrogen holds tremendous potential to decarbonize many economic sectors, from chemical and material industries to energy storage and generation. However, hydrogen is a tiny, leak-prone molecule that can indirectly warm the climate. Thus, hydrogen emissions from its value chain (production, conversi...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Energy Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2023.1207208/full |
| _version_ | 1827877216265961472 |
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| author | Sofia Esquivel-Elizondo Alejandra Hormaza Mejia Alejandra Hormaza Mejia Tianyi Sun Eriko Shrestha Steven P. Hamburg Ilissa B. Ocko |
| author_facet | Sofia Esquivel-Elizondo Alejandra Hormaza Mejia Alejandra Hormaza Mejia Tianyi Sun Eriko Shrestha Steven P. Hamburg Ilissa B. Ocko |
| author_sort | Sofia Esquivel-Elizondo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Hydrogen holds tremendous potential to decarbonize many economic sectors, from chemical and material industries to energy storage and generation. However, hydrogen is a tiny, leak-prone molecule that can indirectly warm the climate. Thus, hydrogen emissions from its value chain (production, conversion, transportation/distribution, storage, and end-use) could considerably undermine the anticipated climate benefits of a hydrogen economy. Several studies have identified value chain components that may intentionally and/or unintentionally emit hydrogen. However, the amount of hydrogen emitted from infrastructure is unknown as emissions have not yet been empirically quantified. Without the capacity to make accurate direct measurements, over the past two decades, some studies have attempted to estimate total value chain and component-level hydrogen emissions using various approaches, e.g., assumptions, calculations via proxies, laboratory experiments, and theory-based models (simulations). Here, we synthesize these studies to provide an overview of the available knowledge on hydrogen emissions across value chains. Briefly, the largest ranges in estimated emissions rates are associated with liquefaction (0.15%–10%), liquid hydrogen transporting and handling (2%–20%), and liquid hydrogen refueling (2%–15%). Moreover, present and future value chain emission rate estimates vary widely (0.2%–20%). Field measurements of hydrogen emissions throughout the value chain are critically needed to sharpen our understanding of hydrogen emissions and, with them, accurately assess the climate impact of hydrogen deployment. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T17:34:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-24bd7601539f44d2ae260fb4d5a649e9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-598X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T17:34:20Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Energy Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-24bd7601539f44d2ae260fb4d5a649e92023-08-04T12:20:04ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Energy Research2296-598X2023-08-011110.3389/fenrg.2023.12072081207208Wide range in estimates of hydrogen emissions from infrastructureSofia Esquivel-Elizondo0Alejandra Hormaza Mejia1Alejandra Hormaza Mejia2Tianyi Sun3Eriko Shrestha4Steven P. Hamburg5Ilissa B. Ocko6Environmental Defense Fund Europe, Amsterdam, NetherlandsEnvironmental Defense Fund, New York, NY, United StatesNational Fuel Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United StatesEnvironmental Defense Fund, New York, NY, United StatesEnvironmental Defense Fund, New York, NY, United StatesEnvironmental Defense Fund, New York, NY, United StatesEnvironmental Defense Fund, New York, NY, United StatesHydrogen holds tremendous potential to decarbonize many economic sectors, from chemical and material industries to energy storage and generation. However, hydrogen is a tiny, leak-prone molecule that can indirectly warm the climate. Thus, hydrogen emissions from its value chain (production, conversion, transportation/distribution, storage, and end-use) could considerably undermine the anticipated climate benefits of a hydrogen economy. Several studies have identified value chain components that may intentionally and/or unintentionally emit hydrogen. However, the amount of hydrogen emitted from infrastructure is unknown as emissions have not yet been empirically quantified. Without the capacity to make accurate direct measurements, over the past two decades, some studies have attempted to estimate total value chain and component-level hydrogen emissions using various approaches, e.g., assumptions, calculations via proxies, laboratory experiments, and theory-based models (simulations). Here, we synthesize these studies to provide an overview of the available knowledge on hydrogen emissions across value chains. Briefly, the largest ranges in estimated emissions rates are associated with liquefaction (0.15%–10%), liquid hydrogen transporting and handling (2%–20%), and liquid hydrogen refueling (2%–15%). Moreover, present and future value chain emission rate estimates vary widely (0.2%–20%). Field measurements of hydrogen emissions throughout the value chain are critically needed to sharpen our understanding of hydrogen emissions and, with them, accurately assess the climate impact of hydrogen deployment.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2023.1207208/fullhydrogen economyhydrogen value chainhydrogen emissionshydrogen leakagehydrogen leaks |
| spellingShingle | Sofia Esquivel-Elizondo Alejandra Hormaza Mejia Alejandra Hormaza Mejia Tianyi Sun Eriko Shrestha Steven P. Hamburg Ilissa B. Ocko Wide range in estimates of hydrogen emissions from infrastructure Frontiers in Energy Research hydrogen economy hydrogen value chain hydrogen emissions hydrogen leakage hydrogen leaks |
| title | Wide range in estimates of hydrogen emissions from infrastructure |
| title_full | Wide range in estimates of hydrogen emissions from infrastructure |
| title_fullStr | Wide range in estimates of hydrogen emissions from infrastructure |
| title_full_unstemmed | Wide range in estimates of hydrogen emissions from infrastructure |
| title_short | Wide range in estimates of hydrogen emissions from infrastructure |
| title_sort | wide range in estimates of hydrogen emissions from infrastructure |
| topic | hydrogen economy hydrogen value chain hydrogen emissions hydrogen leakage hydrogen leaks |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2023.1207208/full |
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