Hydrogen economy
It could be shipped using conventional tankers and then connected into our hydrogen grid
- Published in Climate & Energy.
Eliminated: unsightly power lines
It seems to me that we ought to be running a trial on a hydrogen economy. Using hydrogen rather than electricity for the distribution of power has two immediate advantages.
- The problem of energy storage is solved
- Pipelines can be buried eliminating the problem of unsightly power lines crossing the most beautiful parts of the country.
Furthermore, according to David MacKay, in future we will have to import a large amount of our energy generated using solar power generated in the deserts of North Africa. Rather having to use long and costly electrical connections, hydrogen could be easily shipped, as with methane now, using conventional tankers and then connecting into our hydrogen grid.
Hydrogen can be used in the place of natural gas in the home, can be used to generate electricity either locally or in large power stations, and if storage problems can be solved, can be used directly for transport, if not, then it can be converted into liquid fuel.
Edward Beaney, Shaldon, Devon