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Letters | Hong Kong would benefit from a more targeted push for green hydrogen
- Readers discuss the city’s hydrogen strategy, residents’ concerns about a proposed research hub, and the maths of longevity
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To address climate threats, the Environment and Ecology Bureau recently announced a strategy for hydrogen development in Hong Kong that focuses more on the transport sector. More consideration is needed as to how decarbonise power generation.
There are mainly three types of hydrogen being produced: namely, grey, blue and green hydrogen. Their names reflect their levels of eco-friendliness. For green hydrogen, renewable energy sources are used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen via electrolysis. Blue hydrogen involves fossil fuels, but with emissions captured and stored.
Today, grey hydrogen – which involves fossil fuels without emissions captured – dominates the hydrogen market. However, its market share is expected to decline as global demand for clean hydrogen grows, amid a wider acceptance of renewable energy that could help meet net-zero goals.
Mainland China unveiled a hydrogen road map in 2016, and the world’s first hydrogen-powered tram was rolled out in Foshan in 2019. Economies such as the European Union, Australia, Japan, South Korea and the United States are also moving to develop or adopt clean hydrogen.
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In Hong Kong, the authorities are still preparing to legally distinguish between hydrogen and other dangerous goods, with legislative amendment proposals to be submitted next year.
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