Explosive file
The columnist is right to warn the public. Let Quebec not waste millions of dollars subsidizing an industry that has a limited future. It does well to recall the physics and chemistry of hydrogen, an extremely explosive gas that is difficult and expensive to transport. Reminds me of the time my college science teacher accidentally blew it up! He got off with a few shards of glass in his face and the equipment destroyed, but it could have been a lot worse.
Bernard Terreault, retired physicist from INRS-Énergie
Huge potential market
Hydrogen fuel cells require 99.95% pure hydrogen to operate. Only electrolysis can produce hydrogen of this purity, and that without any CO emanation.2. For freight transport, heavy trucks will have to switch to hydrogen fuel cells, as the weight of the batteries required for long journeys greatly reduces the loading capacity of these vehicles. This need will not appear only in Quebec, but throughout America. It is a huge market for Quebec. The idea of having a state-owned company for the production of green hydrogen is interesting given the dependence between hydropower (under the governance of the state) and green hydrogen, this would allow to integrate the green hydrogen in an integrated energy strategy for Quebec. Black, gray and blue hydrogen, forms which can be used in industrial processes and which do not require the purity of green hydrogen, may be the responsibility of private enterprise.
Robert Mantha, retired vice-rector for research and development at UQTR, Trois-Rivières
The dream of the year 2000
As a retired Hydro-Quebec researcher, I feel like I’m living a very old film based on all the current public statements about “green” hydrogen. A long time ago, we spoke of nuclear fusion as the inexhaustible source of energy of the future. Then, nuclear energy was concretely manifested to replace fossil fuels, all giving electricity by thermal process. It all bore the name of the hydrogen economy and we were gradually approaching the year 2000 dreaming of hydrogen distributed everywhere. In the current context, consultants, promoters and interest groups are relaunching this dream with our politicians behind them. And to think that hydropower used so inefficiently would become the solution …
François Morin, B. Sc. A. in metallurgy and D. es Sc.
Dedicated power plants
Reading the editorial, I see the problem, but the solution, I believe, is to produce hydrogen from dedicated power plants. Wind or solar power plants, directly connected to electrolysis systems. No need for transmission lines or to affect our electricity network. The stability of the sources, wind and sunshine, is less important since energy is accumulated by producing hydrogen.
Normand Choquette
Not that easy
Very interesting and informative article on a subject that I didn’t know much about. Bravo to Mr. Mercure, who in passing raises real questions to which the government will have to answer. Clearly, political parties have not grasped the complexity of green hydrogen or what it will cost to produce it. And that includes its impact on our hydroelectricity surpluses, which risk turning into a deficit with, among other things, the growth in demand to power electric vehicle batteries. A beautiful journalistic subject for which the analyzes of the experts risk colliding …
Real Bilodeau
“Buzzword” shelled
Well done for these excellent explanations on green hydrogen. Easy to understand. The new “buzzword” will surely make people dream less now!
Jean Dufresne
Playing with the savings of Quebecers
I find that we draw too easily from our savings for projects whose profitability cannot be guaranteed. The government is looking for the golden calf that will be able to ensure part of Quebec’s economic future. The future financial obligations caused by the aging of the population should encourage caution. Quebecers’ pension funds must not be used for risky speculation, especially when we look at the sums invested with a probable long-term return.
Claude beaulieu
Powder in the eyes
Your editorial enlightened me on a point that I did not know, namely the loss of energy to produce hydrogen. In the end, it seems like a poorly performing energy conservation and transport tool. My understanding is that this is a perfect greenwashing product for governments and various transportation related companies. Appearance is here much more important than measurable results. We have entered a period of trial and error to find fossil fuel replacements and eyes are in all directions. In the light of your editorial, I do not see a possible miracle with hydrogen other than to send powder to the eyes.
Roch Galarneau, Lévis