The 2020s will be remembered for a number of reasons, and our hope is that developments in hydrogen infrastructure will be one of them

Today’s world is confronted with a myriad of challenges, ranging from the urgent need to address climate change to ensuring social equity and environmental justice, and making sound economic investments in the pursuit of these goals. Recent years have made it clear that these issues are not isolated but interconnected, requiring comprehensive solutions from global leaders. At the forefront of these challenges is climate change, which may be contributing to unprecedented environmental volatility. This volatility has emerged recently in several ways. For one thing, July 2023 marked a significant milestone when it was officially declared as the hottest month ever recorded on Earth. Ocean temperatures off the coast of Florida soared to a scorching 100 degrees Fahrenheit (average hot tub temperature), causing devastating coral reef bleaching in Key Largo, with several reefs reporting 100% mortality. Disruptive weather patterns and high-contrast temperature meetings have also created an ideal recipe for tornadoes, and the first three months of 2023 saw a record-breaking number of tornado reports recorded in January-March of a year.

As we enter 2024 it is clear that we need to urgently take steps to stop the worst effects of climate change if we are to meet the increasingly ambitious global decarbonization goals. Mitsubishi Power and the energy industry are facing this challenge head-on and are taking a leading role in the transition towards clean, reliable, and affordable electricity for all. This endeavor involves establishing solutions for a clean, net-zero electric grid, enhancing resilience to withstand climate variability, and doing so in the most cost effective, lowest total-system cost way to support energy equity throughout the ongoing energy transition. In this context, hydrogen emerges as a pivotal element in combating climate change and securing our energy future. 

Hydrogen's Role in Combating Climate Change 

Clean hydrogen and the development of hydrogen technologies have consistently taken center stage in discussions about energy security and flexibility. On June 5, 2023, the United States Department of Energy unveiled the U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap, which outlines the official findings and commitments of the White House regarding hydrogen's role. One of the key takeaways from this document is that achieving net-zero emissions is not solely an energy commitment but a comprehensive undertaking that addresses social, economic, and practical considerations. To succeed in the long term, hydrogen must be seen as "a key part of a comprehensive portfolio of solutions" (Department of Energy, 2023). 

Referring to the DOE's Roadmap, the White House identified the development of regional hydrogen hubs as one of the top three strategies to advance hydrogen in the United States. Investing in and scaling these hubs offers multiple advantages, including resource sharing, infrastructure critical mass, and scale-up of production, distribution, and storage. These hubs can strategically cater to high-priority hydrogen users, optimizing their needs and reducing transportation costs. 

Mitsubishi Power has long understood the advantages of developing regional hubs like the ones identified in the DOE Roadmap. Co-utilization is also strategically motivated. The idea is to assist power generation as well as industrial processes to ensure a sustainable, long-term energy ecosystem. Co-locating hydrogen production with utilization aligns with the goal of promoting local supply chains, strengthening regional hubs, and bolstering local economies by engaging local manufacturers in the end-to-end solutions. 

The Advanced Clean Energy Storage hub (ACES Delta) in Delta, Utah stands as a tangible example of the potential of regional hydrogen hubs. Mitsubishi Power took the initiative in 2019, paving the way for such hubs before any official government support such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) or endorsement was in place. Our foresight and commitment to this pioneering project paves the way for others to follow suit. Recent government incentives and regulations  and increased attention have provided renewed clarity on the path ahead and the critical decisions that need to be made. Meeting energy and climate targets in addition to meeting the pragmatic needs of everyday life is the primary goal of the immediate future for the energy industry. Grid flexibility and reliability are key to making this happen, and hydrogen will play a critical role in that attainability.

The Future of the Hydrogen Ecosystem  

As the energy industry strives to meet energy and climate targets while satisfying the everyday needs of society, grid flexibility and reliability become paramount. Hydrogen, with its promise of clean, sustainable energy, emerges as a key player in achieving these objectives. The ongoing efforts of Mitsubishi Power and other forward-thinking companies, along with legislative and government incentives such as those introduced with the IRA and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) in the USA, and the proposed Clean Electricity Regulation in Canada underscore the importance of hydrogen in addressing climate change and securing our energy future. 

The power sector's progress over the past two decades demonstrates that we are on the right path. According to the EPA, electric power is the second largest source of US greenhouse gas emissions behind transportation (28% of emissions). Data shows that “greenhouse gas emissions from electric power production have decreased by about 15% since 1990 due to a shift in generation to lower- and non-emitting sources of electricity generation and an increase in end-use energy efficiency." Carbon emissions in the US power sector have decreased significantly, bringing us closer to achieving ambitious climate goals. The US Power Sector Carbon Index for 2022 was 45% lower than the same annual value in 2005, and the rolling annual average carbon intensity is 40% lower than the same annual value in 2005.  

It’s all movement in the right direction, but more needs to be done. Namely, supporting other hard-to-electrify industries (like transportation) in their journey to decarbonization. In this crucial juncture, hydrogen infrastructure emerges as one of the secrets to bridging gaps in facilitating the transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future. In the face of climate change events like those we saw last year, and those we anticipate in the years to come, the energy industry must adapt and combat these environmental changes. 

The 2020s will be remembered for a number of reasons, and our hope is that developments in hydrogen infrastructure will be one of them. These movements lead the way towards a brighter and more sustainable future for all. Mitsubishi Power has made great strides in this endeavor, and recent involvement and government direction (such as the IRA legislation) have provided renewed clarity on the journey ahead of us and the decisions that need to be made across the industry in partnership with our customers, keeping future generations in mind and heart.  

Sources:

AccuWeather. (2023). First 3 months of 2023 generated a record number of tornadoes. Retrieved from https://www.accuweather.com/en/severe-weather/first-3-months-of-2023-generated-a-record-number-of-tornadoes/1511963

U.S. Global Change Research Program. (2023). National Climate Assessment 2023. Retrieved from https://nca2023.globalchange.gov/

Chappell, B. (2023, July 25). U.S., European heat waves 'virtually impossible' without climate change, new study finds. NPR. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2023/07/25/1189837347/u-s-european-heat-waves-virtually-impossible-without-climate-change-new-study-fi

Mosher, D. (2023, July 24). Hot tub water temperatures in Florida soar to 100 degrees, stunning experts. NBC News. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/weather/hot-tub-water-temperatures-florida-soar-100-degrees-stunning-experts-rcna96163

Emissions Index. Retrieved from https://emissionsindex.org/

Delta Environmental & Energy Services. Retrieved from https://aces-delta.com/