Green hydrogen versus direct renewables – best and worst ways to use wind and solar

The hype around hydrogen means that the technology is touted as a solution to more problems than it is likely to solve.

There is no doubt that green hydrogen will play a very important role in areas and industries where there are no ready alternatives – the simple switch to green ammonia is an obvious example.

But there are many instances where using wind and solar to make hydrogen is simply not anywhere near as efficient, or effective on emissions cuts, as using wind and solar directly.

The leading German energy and climate think tank Agora Energiewende has just completed a major study on how to get Europe off gas – titled (Breaking free) and hydrogen obviously plays a key role in that.

But it has produced this useful table that highlights the emissions abatement of using green hydrogen versus direct wind and solar. In most sectors, it is a bit of a no brainer to use renewable electricity directly.