Thread by @CarbonWrangler

1/9 Hey Energy Twitter! A few thoughts on @drvox fine new article on power-to-gas (#PtG) as described by @WartsilaEnergy. Both good pieces of work. I have a few thoughts & friendly amendments. Thanks for the prompt, @JasonBordoff

vox.com/energy-and-env…

2/9 #PtG technologies convert CO2 & H2 to methane. There are many ways to do this: check out companies like @GlobalSunfire @Greyrockenergy & @Opus12CO2. If CO2 feedstocks come from point sources it recycles once. If it comes from the air by DAC, it’s circular C economy.

3/9 The article explores 3 scenarios in CA where overgenerated renewable power creates green H2. The lowest cost scenario uses #PtG to decarbonize existing natgas power plants (works for trucks too). This was explored by @EFIForTheFuture in a 2019 report: energyfuturesinitiative.org/efi-reports

4/9 Scenarios NOT explored in the @WartsilaEnergy scenarios but mentioned by @drvox:
- Would scenarios be cheaper to decarbonize some gas with CCS?
- Would scenarios be cheaper with blue hydrogen (gas reformation) w/ CCS

5/9 Based on what we know today, the answer to both is yes. #PtG can serve as energy storage to decarbonize the grid (& other sectors) and would be cheaper than batteries in the end game. But on a levelized cost of C abatement, blue H2 & CCS retrofits are cheaper than either.

6/9 The long-term cost goal for green hydrogen production is around $2/kg. Blue H2 is cheaper today!

We need BOTH in abundance & should invest in both. We have to support both - an “aqua” culture - to achieve rapid decarbonization in power & other sectors as well (like shipping)

7/9 Punchline: the big goal is fastest drop in emissions with lowest cost, risk & disruption. #PtG will help. So will CCS retrofits on gas plants, blue H2, green H2, fuel cell trucks, EVs, efficiency & massive renewable buildups. We need all players on the field to win the game.

8/9 Bonus round: if we vote for green stimulus, everything needs support: #PtG, green H2, and CCS for gas power & blue H2. Investment could create jobs, manufacturing base, RD&D, supply chains & economic growth if done right. #WeNeedMore

We cover some of this in our report on low-C heat for heavy industry. Other good references include recent reports on hydrogen from @IEA @IRENA & @business

energypolicy.columbia.edu/research/repor…