Comment on Amazon plans to make its own hydrogen to power vehicles
blackfire@lemmy.world 8 months ago
If the electrolyzer is using green electricity it will be good but it doesn’t say if they are setting up the wind or solar plants to source that power. If they are using line power then its only 40% likely to be green energy produced.
AdamEatsAss@lemmy.world 8 months ago
The article says the current plan is to use line power…so not perfect. But if it’s more efficient then charging dc batteries it could be worth it, plus the grid could always change. Waste wise you wouldn’t have to throw out any lead acid or lithium ion batteries when they finally die, which is an environmental win. Not sure if this is for only new facilities or not but if you do have to buy all new equipment and scrap all your old stuff that is an environmental loss.
LordKitsuna@lemmy.world 8 months ago
It’s not even is the same ballpark as dc batteries. Charging a battery is 93-97% efficient as is the use of that power so overall efficiency stays above 90%. Hydrogen average 40-60% overall efficiency. It ONLY makes sense when using 100% renewable.
Especially in situations where it’s otherwise wasted. California has been curtailing massive amounts of solar each year, dumping the extra into hydrogen would be amazing
xenspidey@lemmy.zip 8 months ago
That’s where nuclear can shine as well, make hydrogen during off-peak hours
sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 8 months ago
Or just make hydrogen with solar and wind. Just refill the reservoirs when there’s a lot of sun or wind.