In the midst of all the excitement around hydrogen energy, I found some time to share my thoughts on the best way to introduce hydrogen to the market.
My Home Experiment with Energy Monitoring
I love tinkering with the Internet of Things (IoT), and recently, I figured out how to track my home’s electricity and gas usage using a Smart Meter. With a microcontroller, some wires, and code from GitHub, I was able to monitor my energy consumption. Here’s a snapshot of my data from the past two days:
Since I have solar panels and it’s been sunny, I’ve been producing more power than I use during the day. I also noticed my gas consumption is higher than expected, likely due to poorly insulated hot water pipes. This got me thinking about finding greener alternatives for my home energy use.
Hydrogen for Homes
A while ago, I wrote about using hydrogen in homes to scale up its consumption. Some argued that hydrogen should first be used where it’s most needed. While this idea makes sense, it doesn’t reflect how new technologies usually enter the market.
The Lithium Battery Example
Remember how lithium batteries were introduced? No one focused on their “system value.” Instead, they replaced nickel batteries in small electronics, then moved to larger devices. Consumers were willing to pay for better performance, even at higher costs. Similarly, hydrogen should enter the market where there’s high demand and willingness to pay, like in homes and cars.
Why Hydrogen for Homes and Cars?
People use a lot of gas at home and spend a lot on cars. Hydrogen can be a cleaner alternative to natural gas and gasoline. For example, hydrogen-powered cars can refuel in minutes, unlike electric vehicles that take much longer to charge. This convenience makes hydrogen attractive.
Cost Comparison
Let’s talk cost. Energy carriers like gasoline and electricity are heavily taxed. Green hydrogen, being environmentally friendly, might not need as many taxes. In the Netherlands, natural gas costs about €1.50 per m³. For hydrogen to be competitive, it should cost around €5.42 per kg excluding VAT. Estimates show domestically produced green hydrogen could cost between €3.60 and €6.50 per kg, making it cost-competitive.
Conclusion
Hydrogen for homes is a great idea. It’s cost-effective and can help reduce our carbon footprint. By focusing on markets with high demand, like homes and cars, we can accelerate hydrogen adoption and create a thriving hydrogen economy. Let’s embrace this cleaner energy source and pave the way for a sustainable future.