Hydrogen is a green fuel despite small warming effect from pipe leaks

Environment

In the future, some industrial processes may be powered by hydrogen instead of fossil fuels. If the hydrogen leaks into the atmosphere before it is burned it can contribute to climate change – but not much

By James Dinneen

Hydrogen gas leaking from pipelines can contribute a small amount to climate change

fotokaleinar/Shutterstock

Hydrogen leaked into the atmosphere from pipes or storage tanks indirectly acts as a greenhouse gas, but there are still significant climate benefits to be had if we switch from burning fossil fuels to burning clean hydrogen.

When burned, hydrogen emits only water vapour and heat. If produced with clean energy, hydrogen fuel offers a carbon-free way to power processes that are difficult to run on electricity, such as steel-making. As such, it is seen as an…

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