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Risk of the hydrogen economy for atmospheric methane

Author

Listed:
  • Matteo B. Bertagni

    (Princeton University)

  • Stephen W. Pacala

    (Princeton University)

  • Fabien Paulot

    (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

  • Amilcare Porporato

    (Princeton University
    Princeton University)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Matteo B. Bertagni & Stephen W. Pacala & Fabien Paulot & Amilcare Porporato, 2022. "Risk of the hydrogen economy for atmospheric methane," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-35419-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35419-7
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    1. Mukan Ji & Chris Greening & Inka Vanwonterghem & Carlo R. Carere & Sean K. Bay & Jason A. Steen & Kate Montgomery & Thomas Lines & John Beardall & Josie van Dorst & Ian Snape & Matthew B. Stott & Phil, 2017. "Atmospheric trace gases support primary production in Antarctic desert surface soil," Nature, Nature, vol. 552(7685), pages 400-403, December.
    2. Stefan Schwietzke & Owen A. Sherwood & Lori M. P. Bruhwiler & John B. Miller & Giuseppe Etiope & Edward J. Dlugokencky & Sylvia Englund Michel & Victoria A. Arling & Bruce H. Vaughn & James W. C. Whit, 2016. "Upward revision of global fossil fuel methane emissions based on isotope database," Nature, Nature, vol. 538(7623), pages 88-91, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Badakhsh, Arash & Mothilal Bhagavathy, Sivapriya, 2024. "Caveats of green hydrogen for decarbonisation of heating in buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 353(PB).
    2. Choi, Seungyeong & Bang, Minho & Park, Hee Seung & Heo, Jeonghun & Cho, Myung Hwan & Cho, Hyung Hee, 2024. "Machine learning-assisted effective thermal management of rotor-stator systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).

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