Hydrogen faces water scarcity risk

The industry is exploring the economics of wastewater and seawater electrolysis amid increasing risk of drought and limited access

Water access and the risk of scarcity is a growing concern for the energy industry as the climate changes. But while the hydrogen sector remains confident that will not push the dial on project economics, it is investigating alternative streams to freshwater for future hydrogen production. An electrolyser requires at least 9kg of water for every kilogram of hydrogen produced, while steam methane reformation consumes a minimum of 4.5kg per kilogram of hydrogen. To prevent clogging by particulates, the water must also be as free of salt, minerals, organic matter and other contaminants as possible. A letter to the non-profit American Chemical Society notes that, while 2.3gt of green hydrogen wo