I specifically dislike it’s comparison as a replacement for gas and ev vehicles. end users handling cryogenic fuels or handling fuels that could potentially be highly explosive don’t strike me as winners.

you’re changing the narrative somewhat with the caveat of ‘as storage for renewable surpluses’ - this is NOT what the hydrogen production that traditional petroleum companies are focused on; there is potential - especially if the hydrogen can be collected from the air, reducing the need for storage infrastructure and handling. But moving it around? Trucking it around lol? at cryogenic temps and pressures?

hard to justify with such very small energy density.