Will hydrogen replace traditional energy? “It's impossible without state support”

Hydrogen, as the most common element in the universe, has long been of interest as a potential alternative energy source. Its enormous energy potential and the possibility of using it as a clean fuel make hydrogen the subject of intensive scientific and technological research. However, it is still not a real alternative to traditional energy sources. – First of all, we lack super-effective technology. Today, hydrogen is primarily an energy storage element. It can be used more widely in industrial processes, the potential is very large, but we are still in the initial phase – said in an interview with Wprost.pl during the European Local Government Congress, prof. Krzysztof Księżopolski, lecturer at the Warsaw School of Economics.

Hydrogen technology

Hydrogen as an energy carrier has several significant advantages. Firstly, its combustion does not emit carbon dioxide or other harmful substances, which makes it a clean and environmentally friendly source of energy. Secondly, hydrogen is very energy efficient – it can be processed from various energy sources, such as solar or wind energy, and then stored and used when needed.

However, hydrogen production requires a significant amount of energy, which currently often comes from conventional, often non-renewable sources, limiting its potential as a clean fuel. Secondly, the infrastructure for the production, storage and distribution of hydrogen is still limited and requires significant investment.

– We have the technologies, but the costs are currently high. Hydrogen without a support system must compete with traditional energy sources. Without state support, this is impossible for both local governments and the entire economy. However, the potential is gigantic and process optimization may lead to a situation in which hydrogen becomes competitive – said Prof. Księżopolski.

A difficult choice

Hydrogen technologies, although still in their infancy, are slowly becoming the choice of local governments, investing, for example, in ecological urban transport.

– Local governments face difficult choices today. Because on the one hand, we are convinced that hydrogen technologies, hydrogen itself, will become cheaper, because the development of science shows that everything new is expensive, and on the other hand, we are in the phase of awarding tenders for eight new hydrogen buses. Financing from the national fund is also important here, because we probably would not be able to afford it, said Henryk Borczyk, vice-chairman of the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis.

– I think it will teach us how to use new technology, which in the future will be cheaper and within the reach of local governments – he added.