Utility giants like National Grid and NYSEG are planning to power New York’s buildings with “green hydrogen,” but a new report from climate policy think tank Switchbox argues that the supposed benefits of the energy source are largely overstated, giving the state It does not help it achieve its climate goals. .
Green hydrogen is produced by applying an electrical charge – which comes from renewable energy – to water molecules, separating the hydrogen, which can then be used as an emission-free fuel. This process, known as electrolysis, is very energy intensive.
However, combining hydrogen for heating requires about eight times more electricity than using heat pumps, according to a report published Thursday. The result is a meager return on climate goals, with only about a 4 percent reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector, which accounts for two-thirds of New York City’s climate pollution.
The report highlights a potential conflict over how to handle the state’s failure to meet climate benchmarks set by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
The state admitted in a July report that it is unlikely to meet its goal of 70 percent of its energy from renewable sources such as solar and wind by 2030. The report predicts the state will likely reach that goal by 2033.
The authors of the new report argue that “green hydrogen” is attractive to utilities because combining hydrogen with natural gas allows them to inject it into existing pipelines and avoid the need for major infrastructure changes — at least in the short term. However, to handle 100% hydrogen, the pipelines will eventually need to be replaced.
“As utilities earn equity returns through major infrastructure investments such as new gas pipelines, they have a clear incentive to expand reliance on natural gas and justify continued use of the pipeline network,” the report said. ».
National Grid spokeswoman Karen Young said in an email that the company views hydrogen “as a significant opportunity.”
“The data released this summer is clear: We cannot meet CLCPA’s short-term goals with renewable electricity alone,” Young said.
The energy transition is a marathon that requires us to use all available tools to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, both in the short and long term, while ensuring that energy is both reliable and affordable.
New York already has 7,000 miles of old and leaking natural gas pipelines. In the New York City metro area, there is at least one leak per mile of pipe, contributing to 10 percent of natural gas emissions to the atmosphere.
Because hydrogen is the smallest molecule available, it is even more leaky and significantly more flammable than natural gas. Its small size also makes it difficult to store for year-round use.
“Achieving our green energy goals for New York State will be hard enough without diverting all power generation capacity to maintain the gas system,” said Max Schroon, director of research at Switchbox.
Converting water to hydrogen is “inefficient,” he added.
The report advocates switching buildings to heat pumps instead of burning green hydrogen for heat.
NYSEG did not respond to inquiries about this report. However, several governors in the Northeast, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul, have shown strong support for green hydrogen.
Last year, Hochul announced a $3.62 billion proposal to the federal government to turn seven states into “hydrogen hubs” through a series of electrolytic hydrogen production, consumption and infrastructure projects. The program is funded through President Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Act. National Grid says it is pursuing a plan for a hydrogen hub on Long Island that would power the New York metro area.
National Grid writes on its website: “The big challenge is increasing production and lowering prices to start a hydrogen economy around the world.”
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