A new study has revealed that blue hydrogen can be harmful. It can be worse than coal and gas. Blue hydrogen is branded as a fuel that produces low-carbon for electricity generation and energy storage. It is touted to be an energy source. The process includes making hydrogen. The hydrogen is made using methane in natural gas. It is used for powering vehicles including cars, trucks, and even trains. It is also used for heating buildings. It is therefore considered as a source of clean and green energy. It is also promoted for fighting the menace of global warming. However, the latest study said that blue hydrogen may pose a threat to the climate. It said that the threat could be severe than what is caused by the burning of fossil fuels.
Researchers said that the carbon footprint to create blue hydrogen is anytime greater than the carbon footprint that is released when natural gas or coal is used directly for heat. They said that carbon footprint is almost 20 percent more than using natural gas or coal. The footprint is 60 percent more than using diesel. Notably, blue hydrogen is used in 85 percent of homes to keep them warm. In America, natural gas and water heating are used by half of all homes to maintain the temperature. Researchers said that blue hydrogen converts methane to hydrogen and carbon dioxide by using heat. It also captures some carbon dioxide. Blue hydrogen is created when carbon dioxide and other impurities are concealed.
The heat that is required for producing blue hydrogen is generated by burning natural gas or coal. The entire process requires a large amount of energy. Researchers said that greenhouse gas emissions during the process are exponentially high. The latest study contradicts the claims of blue hydrogen being promoted as a solution to fight global warming. Researchers said that emissions are relatively very large while capturing carbon dioxide. Greenhouse gases affect the climate by trapping heat. Methane produced more greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. According to a United Nations panel, methane has contributed more than two-thirds of global warming than carbon dioxide.
