@thomaschalmers.bsky.social
Sand batteries really could make an impact
February 8, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Sand batteries really could make an impact
I have never heard of Albertville
February 8, 2026 at 8:42 AM
I have never heard of Albertville
The hydrogen economy is not getting enough publicity, unfortunately. Despite €240bn in funding to 2040 in the EU..
Hydrogen is set to replace 25-35% of total EU energy consumption, as planned by the Commission, TSOs etc
It's a major component of the net zero agenda
Hydrogen is set to replace 25-35% of total EU energy consumption, as planned by the Commission, TSOs etc
It's a major component of the net zero agenda
The Hydrogen Stream: Europe forecasts €240 billion for hydrogen grids to 2040
The European Commission says its new grids package includes €240 billion ($281.8 billion) for hydrogen networks to 2040, alongside fresh Italian State aid for clean tech deployment.
www.pv-magazine.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:01 PM
The hydrogen economy is not getting enough publicity, unfortunately. Despite €240bn in funding to 2040 in the EU..
Hydrogen is set to replace 25-35% of total EU energy consumption, as planned by the Commission, TSOs etc
It's a major component of the net zero agenda
Hydrogen is set to replace 25-35% of total EU energy consumption, as planned by the Commission, TSOs etc
It's a major component of the net zero agenda
Insightful
February 6, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Insightful
Interesting show
February 6, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Interesting show
The 'battery-everything' stuff is a charade
February 4, 2026 at 3:46 PM
The 'battery-everything' stuff is a charade
You will never get away from hydrogen One quarter to one third of the EU energy system is switching; and frankly, who cares about 25c/kWh electricity OR gas when you CANNOT store that for industry or long duration as batteries, and the solar itself costs around 2c? It's just ideology
Rent prices..
Rent prices..
February 4, 2026 at 3:44 PM
You will never get away from hydrogen One quarter to one third of the EU energy system is switching; and frankly, who cares about 25c/kWh electricity OR gas when you CANNOT store that for industry or long duration as batteries, and the solar itself costs around 2c? It's just ideology
Rent prices..
Rent prices..
Hydrogen replaces fossil fuels ↓
February 4, 2026 at 9:28 AM
Hydrogen replaces fossil fuels ↓
Without a strong focus on #hydrogen - plus global knowledge & technology transfer, and economies of scale via the global market - people should not be surprised when VRE and batteries fail to replace all fossil fuels
Only H2 replaces long duration, high temperature and dispatchable energy use!
Only H2 replaces long duration, high temperature and dispatchable energy use!
February 3, 2026 at 1:13 PM
Without a strong focus on #hydrogen - plus global knowledge & technology transfer, and economies of scale via the global market - people should not be surprised when VRE and batteries fail to replace all fossil fuels
Only H2 replaces long duration, high temperature and dispatchable energy use!
Only H2 replaces long duration, high temperature and dispatchable energy use!
Reposted
The other option is just wait for hydrogen and get a hydrogen-ready boiler, or wait for district heating. Again, powered by a fuel cell (initially biogas or natural gas, and then hydrogen when it's available), this provides constant power and heat. Ideal if there is a local district heating network
January 31, 2026 at 7:38 PM
The other option is just wait for hydrogen and get a hydrogen-ready boiler, or wait for district heating. Again, powered by a fuel cell (initially biogas or natural gas, and then hydrogen when it's available), this provides constant power and heat. Ideal if there is a local district heating network
Reposted
Home fuel cells for larger houses would be ideal. These feed back into the local grid like solar panels if this option is available; you produce your own electricity, and you make money by selling the excess
Japan have 150,000 home fuel cells; which do not require external electricity generation
Japan have 150,000 home fuel cells; which do not require external electricity generation
January 31, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Home fuel cells for larger houses would be ideal. These feed back into the local grid like solar panels if this option is available; you produce your own electricity, and you make money by selling the excess
Japan have 150,000 home fuel cells; which do not require external electricity generation
Japan have 150,000 home fuel cells; which do not require external electricity generation
That's why we need to replace gas storage? I think we can see the options here
January 31, 2026 at 8:06 PM
That's why we need to replace gas storage? I think we can see the options here
Not sure I understand. We are talking about zero emissions storage options for heat?
January 31, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Not sure I understand. We are talking about zero emissions storage options for heat?
Not seasonal energy storage? More the infrastructure cost?
January 31, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Not seasonal energy storage? More the infrastructure cost?
The point about levies and charges being attributed to electricity is that it needs to be available on demand for peaks, and also during long periods of low VRE output/cold temperatures; like the last two weeks we've had in Europe
Electricity can't do that. Unless you have thought about this also?
Electricity can't do that. Unless you have thought about this also?
January 31, 2026 at 6:06 PM
The point about levies and charges being attributed to electricity is that it needs to be available on demand for peaks, and also during long periods of low VRE output/cold temperatures; like the last two weeks we've had in Europe
Electricity can't do that. Unless you have thought about this also?
Electricity can't do that. Unless you have thought about this also?
Q: do you add the cost of the heat pump itself to the overall heating cost?
January 31, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Q: do you add the cost of the heat pump itself to the overall heating cost?
Agreed, but the hydrogen grid is the main component
January 31, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Agreed, but the hydrogen grid is the main component
Hydrogen replaces natural gas: fact
Once the hydrogen grid is operating (European Hydrogen Backbone) a vast range of hydrogen producers will be able to connect to this grid
..renewable electrolysis, nuclear electrolysis (diurnal), natural gas pyrolysis (plus bioenergy, waste), hydrogen imports..
Once the hydrogen grid is operating (European Hydrogen Backbone) a vast range of hydrogen producers will be able to connect to this grid
..renewable electrolysis, nuclear electrolysis (diurnal), natural gas pyrolysis (plus bioenergy, waste), hydrogen imports..
The European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) initiative | EHB European Hydrogen Backbone
The European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) initiative consists of a group of thirty-three energy infrastructure operators, united through a shared vision of a climat…
ehb.eu
January 31, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Hydrogen replaces natural gas: fact
Once the hydrogen grid is operating (European Hydrogen Backbone) a vast range of hydrogen producers will be able to connect to this grid
..renewable electrolysis, nuclear electrolysis (diurnal), natural gas pyrolysis (plus bioenergy, waste), hydrogen imports..
Once the hydrogen grid is operating (European Hydrogen Backbone) a vast range of hydrogen producers will be able to connect to this grid
..renewable electrolysis, nuclear electrolysis (diurnal), natural gas pyrolysis (plus bioenergy, waste), hydrogen imports..
Heat pumps immediately double your heating bill: £15k every 15-20; so about a thousand per year?
January 31, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Heat pumps immediately double your heating bill: £15k every 15-20; so about a thousand per year?
Hydrogen replaces natural gas: fact
Once the hydrogen grid is operating (European Hydrogen Backbone) a vast range of hydrogen producers will be able to connect to this grid
..renewable electrolysis, nuclear electrolysis (diurnal), natural gas pyrolysis (plus bioenergy, waste), hydrogen imports..
Once the hydrogen grid is operating (European Hydrogen Backbone) a vast range of hydrogen producers will be able to connect to this grid
..renewable electrolysis, nuclear electrolysis (diurnal), natural gas pyrolysis (plus bioenergy, waste), hydrogen imports..
The European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) initiative | EHB European Hydrogen Backbone
The European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) initiative consists of a group of thirty-three energy infrastructure operators, united through a shared vision of a climat…
ehb.eu
January 31, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Hydrogen replaces natural gas: fact
Once the hydrogen grid is operating (European Hydrogen Backbone) a vast range of hydrogen producers will be able to connect to this grid
..renewable electrolysis, nuclear electrolysis (diurnal), natural gas pyrolysis (plus bioenergy, waste), hydrogen imports..
Once the hydrogen grid is operating (European Hydrogen Backbone) a vast range of hydrogen producers will be able to connect to this grid
..renewable electrolysis, nuclear electrolysis (diurnal), natural gas pyrolysis (plus bioenergy, waste), hydrogen imports..
Hydrogen replaces natural gas: fact
Once the hydrogen grid is operating (European Hydrogen Backbone), a vast range of hydrogen producers will be able to connect to this grid.
Renewable electrolysis, nuclear electrolysis (major untapped source, diurnal), methane pyrolysis, waste pyrolysis, biomass pyrolysis, hydrogen imports etc
Renewable electrolysis, nuclear electrolysis (major untapped source, diurnal), methane pyrolysis, waste pyrolysis, biomass pyrolysis, hydrogen imports etc
The European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) initiative | EHB European Hydrogen Backbone
The European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) initiative consists of a group of thirty-three energy infrastructure operators, united through a shared vision of a climat…
ehb.eu
January 31, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Hydrogen replaces natural gas: fact
They cost £15k (unit, installation, boiler, pipework) every 15-20 years, thus instantly doubling your heating bill
January 31, 2026 at 2:03 PM
They cost £15k (unit, installation, boiler, pipework) every 15-20 years, thus instantly doubling your heating bill
Renewables alone are not going to replace 800TWh of gas in the UK
January 31, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Renewables alone are not going to replace 800TWh of gas in the UK
ENTSO-G reports EU peak gas demand at 23 TWh/day and 14-day peaks at 20.8 TWh/day in winter 2024/25, during a 2-3 week dunkelflaute
Europe has about 0.1 TWh of battery storage as of 2025; but this only lasts 4 hours maximum, and cannot be recharged by VRE during these 2-3 week periods
#hydrogen
Europe has about 0.1 TWh of battery storage as of 2025; but this only lasts 4 hours maximum, and cannot be recharged by VRE during these 2-3 week periods
#hydrogen
January 31, 2026 at 1:57 PM
ENTSO-G reports EU peak gas demand at 23 TWh/day and 14-day peaks at 20.8 TWh/day in winter 2024/25, during a 2-3 week dunkelflaute
Europe has about 0.1 TWh of battery storage as of 2025; but this only lasts 4 hours maximum, and cannot be recharged by VRE during these 2-3 week periods
#hydrogen
Europe has about 0.1 TWh of battery storage as of 2025; but this only lasts 4 hours maximum, and cannot be recharged by VRE during these 2-3 week periods
#hydrogen