Hydrogen Economy

Green hydrogen from electrolysis is argued to be the single most impactful solution for decarbonizing heavy industry and shipping, yet its near-term viability is sharply debated. Producing 1 kilogram requires roughly 50–55 kWh of electricity, making it 30% more energy-intensive than the runner-up, direct air capture, when factoring in total system losses. Infrastructure costs for storage and transport exceed $500 billion globally, which is higher than the typical rival carbon-capture pipeline network. This economic reality fuels skepticism, even as pilot projects in Europe achieve $6 per kilogram—still triple the cost of grey hydrogen from natural gas.