Europe built hydrogen infrastructure instead of the needed power grid highlights a significant energy transition sequencing problem, rapid renewable electricity growth outpaced grid expansion, creating imbalances that hydrogen was intended to absorb, but this approach inverted the ideal order, delaying crucial grid investment and creating congestion, with a better path involving grid upgrades first to handle renewable influx, then hydrogen for balancing and sector coupling. While hydrogen can use repurposed gas pipes, reducing cost, the focus on this “molecular” solution sometimes sidelined necessary “electron” grid infrastructure, creating bottlenecks and requiring more investment in both grids for true system efficiency.

  Europe built hydrogen infrastructure  instead of the needed power grid highlights a significant energy transition sequencing problem, rapid renewable electricity growth outpaced grid expansion, creating imbalances that hydrogen was intended to absorb, but this approach inverted the ideal order, delaying crucial grid investment and creating congestion, with a better path involving grid upgrades first to handle renewable influx, then hydrogen for balancing and sector coupling. While hydrogen can use repurposed gas pipes, reducing cost, the focus on this “molecular” solution sometimes sidelined necessary “electron” grid infrastructure, creating bottlenecks and requiring more investment in both grids for true system efficiency. 

The Core Argument:

Inverted Sequence: -

Europe expanded wind and solar power quickly but failed to invest enough in transmission and distribution (T&D) lines, leading to renewable energy curtailment and grid congestion.

Hydrogen as a (Delayed) Solution: -

The idea was to use hydrogen (produced from excess renewables) to balance the grid and decarbonize industry, essentially creating demand for the surplus electricity.

Missed Opportunity: -

This focus on hydrogen demand (molecules) came before fixing the fundamental power grid (electrons) needed to efficiently carry renewable power, a less efficient sequencing. 

Why This Matters:-

Grid Bottlenecks:-

 Insufficient T&D prevents renewable energy from reaching demand centers, a major issue.

Cost & Efficiency: -

Expanding the power grid first to eliminate curtailment and then building hydrogen infrastructure for storage/transport is often more efficient than relying solely on hydrogen to manage grid chaos.

Hydrogen's Role:-

 Hydrogen is crucial for sector coupling (linking power with industry/transport) and storage, but it works best with a robust electricity grid, not as a replacement for it. 

The Proposed Better Path:-

Prioritize Power Grid: -

Expand electricity transmission and distribution to absorb more renewables and reduce congestion.

Build Hydrogen Capacity:-

 Develop hydrogen infrastructure (potentially repurposing gas lines) to balance the system and meet industrial/transport needs.

Integrate:-

 Achieve true system efficiency by coupling electricity and hydrogen networks, allowing flexibility and reducing overall costs. 

In essence, the critique isn't against hydrogen but against prioritizing its demand infrastructure before the fundamental electricity infrastructure needed to support it and the wider energy transition. 

MJF Lion ER YK Sharma