We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Risk of the hydrogen economy for atmospheric methane.
- Authors
Bertagni, Matteo B.; Pacala, Stephen W.; Paulot, Fabien; Porporato, Amilcare
- Abstract
Hydrogen (H2) is expected to play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, hydrogen losses to the atmosphere impact atmospheric chemistry, including positive feedback on methane (CH4), the second most important greenhouse gas. Here we investigate through a minimalist model the response of atmospheric methane to fossil fuel displacement by hydrogen. We find that CH4 concentration may increase or decrease depending on the amount of hydrogen lost to the atmosphere and the methane emissions associated with hydrogen production. Green H2 can mitigate atmospheric methane if hydrogen losses throughout the value chain are below 9 ± 3%. Blue H2 can reduce methane emissions only if methane losses are below 1%. We address and discuss the main uncertainties in our results and the implications for the decarbonization of the energy sector. H2 has the potential to become the green, low-carbon fuel of the future. However, hydrogen emissions impact atmospheric methane (CH4). Bertagni et al. investigate the fate of atmospheric CH4 in scenarios of H2 economy.
- Subjects
ATMOSPHERIC methane; HYDROGEN economy; GREENHOUSE gas mitigation; METHANE as fuel; ATMOSPHERIC chemistry; HYDROGEN production; HYDROGEN as fuel; ATMOSPHERIC nitrogen
- Publication
Nature Communications, 2022, Vol 13, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
2041-1723
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1038/s41467-022-35419-7