President Joe Biden’s ambitious plan to build a low-emission energy future through the utilization of clean hydrogen is encountering significant opposition, particularly due to regulatory and safety concerns.
Despite substantial investment and strategic initiatives, several critical challenges must be addressed for the plan to succeed.
One of the most significant issues facing the administration’s clean hydrogen goals is the transportation of hydrogen. Transporting large quantities of hydrogen presents complex logistical challenges. While trucks and repurposed natural gas pipelines are considered potential options, both come with notable limitations. Trucks may not be able to handle the required volume effectively, while the use of existing pipelines raises significant safety concerns, including risks of leaks, explosions, and nitrous oxide emissions.
Adding to the complexity is the lack of a clear regulatory framework and permitting authority for interstate hydrogen pipelines. Currently, no federal agency has the definitive power to approve these pipelines, and many states lack comprehensive regulations for intrastate hydrogen transport. This regulatory ambiguity hampers the development of necessary infrastructure and poses a significant barrier to achieving the administration’s targets.
The Biden administration aims to catalyze the U.S. hydrogen industry by investing $7 billion in seven regional hubs through the 2021 infrastructure law. According to a Department of Energy roadmap, hydrogen infrastructure, including pipelines, requires rapid scaling up. Annual investments are expected to increase from $2 billion to $3 billion between 2023 and 2030, potentially reaching $15-20 billion annually by 2050.
Achieving the administration’s target of producing 10 million metric tons of clean hydrogen annually by 2030 is a formidable goal, especially considering the current domestic production levels are near zero. This target hinges on developing a comprehensive transport strategy and addressing uncertainties regarding future hydrogen production locations and potential buyers. Dan Esposito, a hydrogen policy analyst at Energy Innovation, emphasizes that understanding where hydrogen will be used is crucial for determining the reliance on pipelines.
To address these challenges, universities and think tanks are exploring the creation of extensive hydrogen pipeline networks across the United States. A team at Princeton University has identified potential routes for new pipelines to connect production facilities with buyers in six key regions. Similarly, the “North American Hydrogen Backbone,” led by RMI and Guidehouse, brings together companies, utilities, and regulators to map out hydrogen infrastructure, drawing inspiration from the European Hydrogen Backbone initiative.
In Europe, repurposing existing natural gas pipelines is a key element of their strategy, with approximately 60% of the new hydrogen network expected to come from these conversions. However, similar plans in the U.S. face strong opposition. Bill Caram, executive director of the Pipeline Safety Trust, has voiced deep concerns about the safety of blending hydrogen with natural gas in existing pipelines, citing risks of gas leaks, explosions, and other safety issues.
