DeepSummary
The podcast episode features an in-depth interview with Daryl Wilson, the executive director of the Hydrogen Council, discussing the potential of hydrogen as a clean energy source. Wilson provides insights into the opportunities and challenges of expanding hydrogen production for industry and heavy transportation, particularly in the context of recent policy developments and geopolitical events.
Wilson highlights the complementary roles of hydrogen and batteries in decarbonizing various sectors, such as transportation and heavy industry. He addresses concerns about the environmental impact of different hydrogen production methods (green, blue, gray) and emphasizes the need for a standardized approach to calculating the carbon footprint of hydrogen across its lifecycle.
The discussion covers policy initiatives like the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, the EU's hydrogen deployment targets, and Canada's tax credits for clean hydrogen production. Wilson also examines the hydrogen strategies of countries like China and the regulatory challenges faced by the industry in achieving wider adoption and scaling up production.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Hydrogen has the potential to play a crucial role in decarbonizing various sectors, particularly heavy transportation and industry, complementing battery technology.
- Recent policy developments, such as the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act and the EU's hydrogen deployment targets, are driving innovation and investment in the hydrogen industry.
- Geopolitical factors, including energy security concerns and the need for diversification of energy sources, are increasing the interest in hydrogen as a potential solution.
- Different countries have varying approaches and priorities regarding hydrogen production and utilization, with some focusing on green hydrogen from renewables and others embracing blue hydrogen with carbon capture.
- A standardized methodology for calculating the environmental attributes and carbon footprint of hydrogen across its lifecycle is essential for enabling global trade and ensuring transparency.
- Scaling up hydrogen production and infrastructure requires a combination of supply-side incentives, demand-side policies, and learning opportunities through pilot projects and hubs.
- Both batteries and hydrogen have complementary roles in decarbonizing the transportation sector, with hydrogen being more suitable for heavy-duty applications.
- Overcoming regulatory uncertainties, cost competitiveness, and infrastructure challenges are key to wider adoption and scaling of the hydrogen industry.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “At last count, with the hydrogen council, we had a total of over 680 projects around the world at megawatt scale and greater. So, yeah, the acceleration in the sector has been quite stunning.“ by Daryl Wilson
- “We need to stop fighting over fossil fuel resources and start recognizing the equality of renewable resources that can be enabled by hydrogen.“ by Daryl Wilson
- “What we need for that to happen, for this very large amount of trade flow to happen, is some standard basis of calculation for these environmental attributes so that customers know what they're buying and they have confidence in the declaration of the environmental history of that particular hydrogen.“ by Daryl Wilson
- “So there's so much more money in the IRA that the former initiative with the hydrogen hubs almost pales in comparison. But I do hope that those hubs will go ahead and get built, because I think there's an important learning journey there as well.“ by Daryl Wilson
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Episode Information
Columbia Energy Exchange
Columbia University
1/10/23
Clean electrons are vital to the net-zero economy. What about molecules?
There is a global race to expand hydrogen production for industry and heavy transportation – using wind, solar and biomass as a feedstock.
North American countries are taking hydrogen innovation seriously, passing policy to spur innovation. The United States’ Inflation Reduction Act and Canada’s Fall Economic Statement both offer production tax credits for clean hydrogen.
China is the global leader in production. But the country primarily uses coal as a feedstock. To make it clean, they’ll need to invest heavily in renewables and carbon capture technology.
With so much attention now on the industry, will it finally live up to the hype? How have recent developments in geopolitics and policy changed the outlook for the hydrogen industry? And what sectors will it help decarbonize?
This week host Bill Loveless talks with Daryl Wilson, the executive director of the Hydrogen Council.
Before joining the Hydrogen Council in 2020, Daryl served as CEO of Hydrogenics, a fuel cell and electrolysis technologies provider. During his time there, he oversaw the world’s largest new electrolysis project and the world’s first hydrogen powered public train service.
In 2017 the Hydrogen Council released its first report – an outlook through 2050. Bill talks to Daryl about whether that outlook has changed with the recent instability of global energy markets and the war in Ukraine. They also discuss how new policy developments could spur innovation.