{"id":283548,"date":"2023-10-16T16:54:41","date_gmt":"2023-10-16T14:54:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=283548"},"modified":"2023-10-16T16:54:44","modified_gmt":"2023-10-16T14:54:44","slug":"ready-fire-aim-explode","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=283548","title":{"rendered":"Ready, Fire, Aim: Explode!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Hydrogen is colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, and highly combustible.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From Watts Up With That?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Reader Julius Shanks writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hydrogen Subsidies are Stupid<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Friday, 13 October, the White House triumphantly announced<\/a> it is awarding $7 billion to seven \u201chydrogen hubs,\u201d making the following statement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collectively, the hubs aim to produce more than three million metric tons of clean hydrogen per year, thereby achieving nearly one third of the 2030 U.S. clean hydrogen production goal. Together, the seven Hydrogen Hubs will eliminate 25 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions from end uses each year\u2014an amount roughly equivalent to combined annual emissions of over 5.5 million gasoline-powered cars. The nearly $50 billion investment is one of the largest investments in clean manufacturing and jobs in history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is so stupid I have a hard time believing anyone thinks it is a good idea. For these reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Hydrogen does not exist in free form. It must be manufactured. That requires a LOT of electricity. Where does the electricity come from? Hold onto your seats: fossil fuel plants! No way wind or solar can provide this much juice.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. It is impossible to manufacture as much hydrogen energy as was used to manufacture it. Those pesky laws of thermodynamics. So the hydrogen energy cost will exceed the energy cost that could have otherwise been used directly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. It is very difficult to store, because the molecules are so small. Hydrogen embrittlement is a problem in materials. And those tiny molecules can find the tiniest flaws in materials containing the. That results in leaks, which leads to reason number 4.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Safety. \u201cWe regret to inform you your wife, children, and car disappeared in a puff of pale blue flame and water vapor.\u201d Alternative: \u201cAn entire block was destroyed today as a hydrogen fuel station exploded in a giant pale blue flame and huge water vapor cloud.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    At least electric vehicle charging stations will not explode. Well, I don\u2019t think they will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    [End Julius Shanks\u2019s note, since so few actually know what ### means]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    ###<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here are excerpts of the announcement.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"
    https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/briefing-room\/statements-releases\/2023\/10\/13\/biden-harris-administration-announces-regional-clean-hydrogen-hubs-to-drive-clean-manufacturing-and-jobs\/<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Investing in American Infrastructure and Manufacturing is a key part of Bidenomics and the President\u2019s Investing in America agenda<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Today, President Biden and Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm are announcing seven regional clean hydrogen hubs that were selected to receive $7 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to accelerate the domestic market for low-cost, clean hydrogen.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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    Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs
    <\/strong>
    Today, the President is in Philadelphia to announce seven regional clean hydrogen hubs nationwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The hubs selected for negotiation include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n