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:
Join the Conversation
Stay Informed
FracTracker Newsletter
Support Our Work
FracTracker Alliance helps communicate the risks of oil and gas and petrochemical development to advance just energy alternatives that protect public health, natural resources, and the climate.
By contributing to FracTracker, you are helping to make tangible changes, such as decreasing the number of oil and gas wells in the US, protecting the public from toxic and radioactive chemicals, and stopping petrochemical expansion into vulnerable communities.
Your donations help fund the sourcing and analysis of new data so that we can keep you informed and continually update our resources.
Please donate to FracTracker today as a way to advocate for clean water, clean air, and healthy communities.
What You Should Read Next
Data Gaps: A Critical Examination of Oil and Gas Well Incidents in Ohio
Stop Toxic Threat: A Heavy Industrial Zoning Battle
East Palestine Warning: The Growing Threat From Hazardous Waste Storage
Index of Oil and Gas Operator Health in California Shows Risks to State Economy and Taxpayers
Calling for Change: Life on the Fracking Frontlines
On the Wrong Track: Risks to Residents of the Upper Ohio River Valley From Railroad Incidents
Digital Atlas: Exploring Nature and Industry in the Raccoon Creek Watershed
Why Do Houses Keep Exploding in One Pennsylvania Suburb?
FracTracker Alliance Releases Statement Opposing Governor Shapiro’s Agreement With CNX
Oil and Gas Activity Within California Public Health Protection Zones
Assessment of Oil and Gas Well Ownership Transfers in California
Evaluation of the Capacity for Water Recycling for Colorado Oil and Gas Extraction Operations
Evidence Shows Oil and Gas Companies Use PFAS in New Mexico Wells
CalGEM Permit Review Q1 2023: Well Rework Permits Increase by 76% in California
2022 Pipeline Incidents Update: Is Pipeline Safety Achievable?
Testimony On EPA’s Proposed Methane Pollution Standards for the Oil and Gas Industry
Assessment of Rework Permits on Oil Production from Operational Wells Within the 3,200-Foot Public Health Protection Zone
CalGEM Permit Review Q4 2022: Oil Permit Approvals Show Steep Rise Within Protective Buffer Zones
A Contentious Landscape of Pipeline Build-outs in the Eastern US
Major Gas Leak Reveals Risks of Aging Gas Storage Wells in Pennsylvania
Coursing Through Gasland: A Digital Atlas Exploring Natural Gas Development in the Towanda Creek Watershed
Falcon Pipeline Online, Begins Operations Following Violations of Clean Streams Law
Synopsis: Risks to the Greater Columbus Water Supply from Oil and Gas Production
Desalination: The Chemical Industry’s Demand for Water in Texas
Take Action in Support of No New Leases
Carbon Capture and Storage: Developments in the Law of Pore Space in North Dakota
Carbon Capture and Storage: Industry Connections and Community Impacts
Carbon Capture and Storage: Fact or Fiction?
Pipeline Right-of-Ways: Making the Connection between Forest Fragmentation and the Spread of Lyme Disease in Southwestern Pennsylvania
FracTracker Finds Widespread Hydrocarbon Emissions from Active & Idle Oil and Gas Wells and Infrastructure in California
California Regulators Approve More Oil Well Permits Amid a Crisis of Leaking Oil Wells that Should be Plugged
An Insider Take on the Appalachian Hydrogen & CCUS Conference
Does Hydrogen Have a Role in our Energy Future?
Oil and Gas Brine in Ohio
PA Environment Digest Blog: Conventional Oil & Gas Drillers Dispose Of Drill Cuttings By ‘Dusting’
Real Talk on Pipelines
2021 Production from Pennsylvania’s Oil and Gas Wells
Mapping Energy Systems Impacted by the Russia-Ukraine War
Dimock residents working to protect water from a new threat: fracking waste
Implications of a 3,200-foot Setback in California
New Trends in Drilling Permit Approvals Take Shape in CA
Oil and Gas Drilling in California Legislative Districts
New Report: Fracking with “Forever Chemicals” in Colorado
Introducing: FracTracker’s comprehensive new Pennsylvania map!
New Letter from Federal Regulators Regarding how the Falcon has Been Investigated
US Army Corps Muskingum Watershed Plan ignores local concerns of oil and gas effects
Oil and gas companies use a lot of water to extract oil in drought-stricken California
Southeastern Texas Petrochemical Industry Needs 318 Billion Gallons of Water, but the US EPA Says Not So Fast
Chickahominy Pipeline project tries to exploit an apparent regulatory loophole
Map Update on Criminal Charges Facing Mariner East 2 Pipeline
It’s Time to Stop Urban Oil Drilling in Los Angeles
Infrastructure Networks in Texas
California Prisons are Within 2,500’ of Oil and Gas Extraction
New power plant proposal called senseless and wasteful by climate groups
Ongoing Safety Concerns over Shell’s Falcon Pipeline
New Neighborhood Drilling Permits Issued While California Fails to Act on Public Health Rules
The world is watching as bitcoin battle brews in the US
California Oil & Gas Drilling Permits Drop in Response to Decreased Permit Applications to CalGEM
California Denies Well Stimulation Permits
Mapping PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in Oil & Gas Operations
Updated National Energy and Petrochemical Map
Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania Fracking Story Map
Ohio & Fracking Waste: The Case for Better Waste Management
Pennsylvania Conventional Well Map Update
Impacts of 2020 Colonial Pipeline Rupture Continue to Grow
Gas Storage Plan vs. Indigenous Rights in Nova Scotia
Mapping Gathering Lines in Bradford County, Pennsylvania
Trends in fracking waste coming to New York State from Pennsylvania
2021 Pipeline Incidents Update: Safety Record Not Improving
New York State Oil & Gas Well Drilling: Patterns Over Time
Risky Byhalia Connection Pipeline Threatens Tennessee & Mississippi Health, Water Supply
Shell’s Falcon Pipeline Under Investigation for Serious Public Safety Threats
Kern County’s Drafted EIR Will Increase the Burden for Frontline Communities
Pennsylvania’s Waste Disposal Wells – A Tale of Two Datasets
California Oil & Gas Setbacks Recommendations Memo
Oil and Gas Wells on California State Lands
Industrial Impacts in Michigan: A Photo Essay & Story Map
People and Production: Reducing Risk in California Extraction
Documenting emissions from new oil and gas wells in California
FracTracker in the Field: Building a Live Virtual Map
Mapping Gathering Lines in Ohio and West Virginia
The North Dakota Shale Viewer Reimagined: Mapping the Water and Waste Impact
Falcon Pipeline Construction Releases over 250,000 Gallons of Drilling Fluid in Pennsylvania and Ohio
Systematic Racism in Kern County Oil and Gas Permitting Ordinance
Fracking Water Use in Pennsylvania Increases Dramatically
New Yorkers mount resistance against North Brooklyn Pipeline
California, Back in Frack
California Setback Analyses Summary
Air Pollution from Pennsylvania Shale Gas Compressor Stations – REPORT
New York State Oil & Gas Wells – 2020 Update
National Energy and Petrochemical Map
Governor Newsom Must Do More to Address the Cause of Oil Spill Surface Expressions
Oil & Gas Well Permits Issued By Newsom Administration Rival Those Issued Under Gov. Jerry Brown
Pipelines Continue to Catch Fire and Explode
The Hidden Inefficiencies and Environmental Costs of Fracking in Ohio
Fracking in Pennsylvania: Not Worth It
Fracking Threatens Ohio’s Captina Creek Watershed
How State Regulations Hold Us back and What Other Countries are doing about Fracking
New Method for Locating Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells is Tested in New York State
Abandoned Wells in Pennsylvania: We’re Not Doing Enough
The Underlying Politics and Unconventional Well Fundamentals of an Appalachian Storage Hub
Permitting New Oil and Gas Wells Under the Newsom Administration
Mapping the Petrochemical Build-Out Along the Ohio River
Impact of a 2,500′ Oil and Gas Well Setback in California
Production and Location Trends in PA: A Moving Target
The Falcon Public Monitoring Project
Release: The 2019 You Are Here map launches, showing New York’s hurdles to climate leadership
Idle Wells are a Major Risk
Literally Millions of Failing, Abandoned Wells
Wicked Witch of the Waste
The Growing Web of Oil and Gas Pipelines
Unnatural Disasters
Getting Rid of All of that Waste – Increasing Use of Oil and Gas Injection Wells in Pennsylvania
A Disturbing Tale of Diminishing Returns in Ohio
Pennsylvania Drilling Trends in 2018
216 Franklin St, Suite 400, Johnstown, PA 15901
Phone: +1 (717) 303-0403 | info@fractracker.org
FracTracker Alliance is a 501(c)3 non-profit: Tax identification number: 80-0844297
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!