How sustainable is hydrogen currently?

Some consider hydrogen to be the fuel of the future. Probably because there will be petrol stations in the future and the existing value chain will be retained. In stark contrast to electromobility, which can basically be powered from any socket - and previous beneficiaries of fossil fuels look through the fingers.

The Transport Club Austria VCÖ provides an interesting analysis of the current hydrogen production. This shows that sustainability is far from being talked about. Because, according to VCÖ, which relies on data from the IEA - International Energy Agency, 99 percent of the hydrogen currently comes from coal, Erdgar or refineries.

Ulla Rasmussen from the VCÖ: “Hydrogen only makes a contribution to achieving the climate goals if it is obtained from renewable energy. The available amount of so-called "green hydrogen" is limited. And especially the industry relies on hydrogen to exit oil, natural gas and other fossil fuels. For certain purposes in the transport sector, hydrogen and fuel cells will play an important role in the future. Especially in areas where very long ranges or a high vehicle weight give hydrogen an advantage over battery drives. Crucial for that climate compatibility is that the Hydrogen from renewable primary energy sources, like wind energy or solar energy. Currently only one percent of hydrogen is used worldwide made from renewable energy."

And further: “It can be assumed that hydrogen production via electrolysis will also take place when there is no more supply of renewable electricity than demand (often called“ surplus electricity ”), since the systems should pay for themselves quickly. It is therefore to be feared that hydrogen production via central electrolyzers in Austria will not come exclusively from electricity from renewable sources and cannot be described as green hydrogen. "

Further information in the VCÖ factsheet.

Photo / Video: Shutterstock, VCÖ.