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The Truth About Blue Hydrogen: Green Fuel or Greenwash?
Overview
In this article, FracTracker Alliance Research and Project Management Fellow Ashley Kosak examines misconceptions about blue hydrogen and its role in transitioning to clean energy.
Blue hydrogen is often marketed as a clean and sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels, but is it really as environmentally friendly as it claims to be? In this article, we will discuss blue hydrogen and claims about its environmental impact, as well as the potential of hydrogen fuel cells as a clean and efficient source of power. By examining these factors, we will shed light on the true environmental performance of blue hydrogen and whether it has a place in the transition to a sustainable energy future.
The Colors of Hydrogen
To differentiate between different types of hydrogen, colors are assigned to the hydrogen depending on how the hydrogen is produced. “Gray” hydrogen, which accounts for the majority of U.S. hydrogen production, is produced through a process called steam methane reforming. Steam methane reforming uses natural gas as a feedstock to convert methane into hydrogen and carbon dioxide. If the carbon dioxide produced as a byproduct of this process is captured and stored by way of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), the hydrogen is termed “blue hydrogen” according to the hydrogen color code.
Color | Production Source | |
green | renewable energy and electricity via electrolysis of water [1] | |
turquoise | thermal splitting of methane via methane pyrolysis [1],[2] | |
blue | produced via hydrocarbons; requires CCS networks [1] | |
gray | fossil hydrocarbons, mainly steam reforming of natural gas [1],[2] | |
brown or black | coal [3] | |
purple or pink or red | produced without electrolysis of water [2]; hydrogen storages; nuclear power | |
yellow | produced by photovoltaic [4]; low level hydrogen in photovoltaic | |
gold | hydrogen that occurs naturally deep within the Earth’s crust; obtained by mining [5] | |
white | medical hydrogen; refers to naturally occurring hydrogen [6] |
Table 1. Color codes, or nicknames, for hydrogen are used within the energy industry to differentiate between the types of hydrogen according to their production methods.
Hydrogen Life Cycle Analysis
Life cycle analysis is a tool used to assess the environmental impact of a product or process over its entire life, from the extraction of raw materials to the disposal of waste products.
In considering the total impact of blue hydrogen, a complete life cycle analysis would evaluate the environmental impact of extracting natural gas feedstock, transporting materials, steam methane reforming, capturing and storing carbon dioxide, and the end use of the produced hydrogen.
So what is the actual environmental impact of blue hydrogen? Recent analyses suggest blue hydrogen could be worse than simply burning natural gas. According to a peer-reviewed study published in 2021, “the greenhouse gas footprint of blue hydrogen is more than 20% greater than burning natural gas or coal for heat and some 60% greater than burning diesel oil for heat.”
Industry has countered concerns about carbon pollution associated with the hydrogen life cycle by touting technology to capture and store carbon dioxide produced as a byproduct of manufacturing hydrogen. However, not only has carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology not been proven at scale, it promotes continued use of carbon-intensive resources and “locks in emissions” by extending the life of industrial processes that should ultimately be decommissioned.
The Hype About Hydrogen
Evidence clearly indicates that the marketing hype surrounding blue hydrogen as a clean energy source is based on false and misleading claims – also known as greenwashing – partially based on unproven assumptions about the long-term viability of carbon capture and storage. More importantly, despite the false pretense that blue hydrogen is carbon-neutral, producing blue hydrogen is actually a carbon-intensive process that perpetuates our reliance on fossil fuels, and therefore provides little or no benefit for transitioning to a carbon-free future.
Transitioning to hydrogen sustainably is predicated by the eventual widespread adoption of “green” hydrogen produced through electrolysis of water using renewable energy sources (see Table 1). Because it does not use fossil fuels as a feedstock, the production of green hydrogen neither produces carbon dioxide emissions nor perpetuates fossil fuel extraction.
Hydrogen Fuel Cells
As hydrogen development progresses, there may be other viable alternatives. Hydrogen fuel cells, a technology that converts hydrogen gas into electricity through a chemical reaction, have some distinct advantages over traditional fossil fuel-based power sources. They are highly efficient, produce electricity with little to no emissions, and can be refueled quickly and easily. Fuel cells are already used in a variety of applications, including as a source of power for vehicles, such as cars and buses, as well as for stationary power generation in homes and businesses.
However, there are also limitations to the use of hydrogen fuel cells. One of the main challenges is the infrastructure needed to support their use. In order for fuel cells to be a viable alternative to fossil fuels, a comprehensive network of hydrogen fuel stations and other support infrastructure must be developed. This is an area that is currently being explored and developed, but it is not yet fully established. Additionally, the cost of hydrogen fuel cells and the associated infrastructure can be high, making them less accessible to some individuals and communities
The Take Away
In conclusion, while blue hydrogen could be misconstrued as a step in the right direction compared to traditional hydrogen production methods, which do not capture the carbon emissions, it is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Some research suggests that the process is even worse for the climate than simply burning gas for energy. Alternatively, green hydrogen has the potential to be a completely emissions-free source of hydrogen and provides an opportunity for the storage of excess energy produced from renewable sources.
However, there would be a higher benefit for the current energy needs of communities through dedicating resources towards renewable energy conversion and direct usage within the electrical grid. Going forward, it is important to be aware of the limitations of different types of hydrogen and not to fall for false or misleading claims about its environmental benefits.
References & Where to Learn More
- Read more from FracTracker about the role of hydrogen in our energy future
- Listen to the interview with Ashely Kosak about hydrogen on EcoJustice Radio
- Learn more about the Department of Energy’s strategy for hydrogen technology
- View a panel discussion from the Ohio River Valley Institute on the potential impacts of a hydrogen hub in Western Pennsylvania
Topics in This Article:
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![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Figure-2.-There-are-50-operational-oil-and-gas-wells-permitted-on-California-state-lands-in-the-Sacramento-River-Delta-feature-1030x458.jpg)
Oil and Gas Wells on California State Lands
![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Control-your-dust-frac-sand-feature-1030x458.jpg)
Industrial Impacts in Michigan: A Photo Essay & Story Map
![CA Setbacks Map](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/CASetbacksMappic-1030x422.jpg)
People and Production: Reducing Risk in California Extraction
![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/EQT-Tioga-Wide-7.gif)
Documenting emissions from new oil and gas wells in California
![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/TAuch_infrastructure-wellpad-sandtruck-ChesapeakeAppalachia-RainSulWellpad-SullivanCounty-PA_July2020-feature-1030x458.jpg)
![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/FracTracker-in-the-Field-promotion5-1030x579.jpg)
FracTracker in the Field: Building a Live Virtual Map
![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Loyalsock-feature-1030x458.jpg)
![Mapping gathering lines in OH and WV feature](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Mapping-gathering-lines-in-OH-and-WV-feature-1030x458.jpg)
Mapping Gathering Lines in Ohio and West Virginia
![Oil & Gas waste tank operated by SWEPI and Enervest at the Hayes pad, Otsego County, Michigan May 21st, 2016](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Oil-Gas-waste-tank-in-Michigan-feature-1030x295.jpg)
The North Dakota Shale Viewer Reimagined: Mapping the Water and Waste Impact
![FracTracker Falcon Pipeline spills map](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/FalconPipelineFrontPage-1030x295.jpg)
Falcon Pipeline Construction Releases over 250,000 Gallons of Drilling Fluid in Pennsylvania and Ohio
![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/CalGEM-Drilling-and-Rework-Permits-2015-2020-feature-1030x458.jpg)
Systematic Racism in Kern County Oil and Gas Permitting Ordinance
![Bushkill Falls PA](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/waterfall-1806956_1920-1030x497.jpg)
Fracking Water Use in Pennsylvania Increases Dramatically
![North Brooklyn Pipeline demographics map](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/North-Brooklyn-Pipeline-demographics_1-1030x420.jpg)
New Yorkers mount resistance against North Brooklyn Pipeline
![Map of New 2020 Fracking Permits in California](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Map-of-New-2020-Fracking-Permits-in-California-1030x495.jpg)
California, Back in Frack
![California well pad](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/California-well-pad-1030x458.jpg)
California Setback Analyses Summary
![Compressor station within Loyalsock State Forest, PA.](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Compressor-station-within-Loyalsock-State-Forest-PA-1030x458.jpg)
Air Pollution from Pennsylvania Shale Gas Compressor Stations – REPORT
![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/New-York-State-Oil-Gas-Well-Viewer-2020-1030x633.jpg)
New York State Oil & Gas Wells – 2020 Update
![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/National-map-feature-3.png)
National Energy and Petrochemical Map
![California Governor Gavin Newsom looks at surface expression oil spills](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/California-Governor-Gavin-Newsom--1030x457.jpg)
Governor Newsom Must Do More to Address the Cause of Oil Spill Surface Expressions
![Governor Newsom Well Watch website for California drilling](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Screen-Shot-2020-02-21-at-2.22.05-PM-1030x463.png)
Oil & Gas Well Permits Issued By Newsom Administration Rival Those Issued Under Gov. Jerry Brown
![destroyed home following pipeline explosion in San Bruno, CA](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/San-Bruno-Aftermath-feature-image.png)
Pipelines Continue to Catch Fire and Explode
![Overhead view of injection well](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Brookfield-1030x458.jpg)
The Hidden Inefficiencies and Environmental Costs of Fracking in Ohio
![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/PA-2019-Fracked-Gas-Production-Feature-1030x458.jpg)
Fracking in Pennsylvania: Not Worth It
![Captina Creek Watershed Feature](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Captina-Creek-Watershed-Feature-1030x457.jpg)
Fracking Threatens Ohio’s Captina Creek Watershed
![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Newsom-Well-Watch-Feature-1030x458.jpg)
![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Oil-and-gas-drilling-in-ND.-Photo-by-Nick-Lund-NPCA-2014-feature-1030x458.jpg)
How State Regulations Hold Us back and What Other Countries are doing about Fracking
![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/2018-NYS-Oil-and-Gas-Wells-feature-image-2-1030x458.jpg)
New Method for Locating Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells is Tested in New York State
![Ohio Secret Fracking Chemicals Report](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/OHSecretChem-797x1030.png)
![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Abandoned-wells-PA-feature-1030x458.png)
Abandoned Wells in Pennsylvania: We’re Not Doing Enough
![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/DSC_0624_LowRes-1030x674.jpg)
![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Cracker-Plant-2-1030x469.jpg)
The Underlying Politics and Unconventional Well Fundamentals of an Appalachian Storage Hub
![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/inglewood-field-ca-feature-1-1030x458.jpg)
Permitting New Oil and Gas Wells Under the Newsom Administration
![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Beaver-Cracker-Plant-Feature-1030x458.jpg)
Mapping the Petrochemical Build-Out Along the Ohio River
![Urban Drilling in Los Angeles](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SignalHill_DavidMcNew_GettyImages_edit.jpg)
Impact of a 2,500′ Oil and Gas Well Setback in California
![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Washington-County-Rig-2-1030x458.jpg)
Production and Location Trends in PA: A Moving Target
![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/PipelineConstructionFeature-1030x458.png)
The Falcon Public Monitoring Project
![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/YouAreHereMap2-1030x458.png)
Release: The 2019 You Are Here map launches, showing New York’s hurdles to climate leadership
![https://www.kvpr.org/post/dormant-risky-new-state-law-aims-prevent-problems-idle-oil-and-gas-wells](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IdleWellsHathaway_resize.jpg)
Idle Wells are a Major Risk
![DOGGR](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/chevron-surface-expression_resize.jpg)
Literally Millions of Failing, Abandoned Wells
![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/KSOKNE-Injection-Wells-1030x458.png)
Wicked Witch of the Waste
![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/PipelineConstructionPA.png)
The Growing Web of Oil and Gas Pipelines
![destroyed home following pipeline explosion in San Bruno, CA](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/San-Bruno-Aftermath-feature-image.png)
Unnatural Disasters
![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/SWD_PA2-1030x458.png)
Getting Rid of All of that Waste – Increasing Use of Oil and Gas Injection Wells in Pennsylvania
![Bird's eye view of an injection well (oil and gas waste disposal)](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/InjectionWell-Sky-Feature.jpg)
A Disturbing Tale of Diminishing Returns in Ohio
![](https://www.fractracker.org/a5ej20sjfwe/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/UncWellsPerYear_2005_2018-1030x682.png)
Pennsylvania Drilling Trends in 2018
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