Comments by "John Burns" (@johnburns4017) on "DW Planet A" channel.

  1. The Japanese are going with hydrogen economically produced from HTTR's, a type of high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor that is safer than other reactors. The Japanese government will use high temperatures produced by the HTTR to manufacture hydrogen. Why? Because hydrogen is the only alternative to fossil fuels in industry. That is why Toyota is cool on EVs as Japan will be a hydrogen society using hydrogen ships, trains and road vehicles. Toyota would not adopt this stance unless the Japanese government gave them the nod. Hydrogen can also be produced by wind and solar when too much electricity is being produced, like overnight. Right now in the UK we pay companies to use electricity when too much is being produced. This surplus electricity can be used to produce hydrogen. Hydrogen can be produced at train depots by electricity eliminating transportation of the fuel. Hydrogen will not compete with battery EVs for the likes of cars. But trucks, trains and ships? Yes. We have a comprehensive gas pipe network in the UK, it is irresponsible not to keep it and still use it when a solution is there. Boilers can safely operate on hydrogen, easily converted to the fuel. Many are hydrogen ready. Heat pumps are superb in the right situation (only if properly installed which few are). The natural gas pipe network can have a 20% mix of hydrogen to reduce emissions with effect on existing appliances. Abandoning a comprehensive gas network that can be converted to emissions free appliances is pure buffoonery.
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  2. Norwegian natural gas which the UK takes a lot of by pipeline, has large reserves. But! It is four times cleaner on burning than the gas from the UKs home gas fields. Gas burnt in condensing boilers is 90% plus efficient. Burning natural gas directly, at point of use eliminates the waste stages of say electricity generation, so making it cleaner again. I do not see any reason to quickly phase out natural gas. OK new homes can be all electric of course. and house renovations of course. But take gas away from the millions who use it who do not really have an alternative as their homes are too small for heat pumps? It does not make sense.
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