Sand batteries really could make an impact
08.02.2026 09:35 β π 4 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0@thomaschalmers.bsky.social
Sand batteries really could make an impact
08.02.2026 09:35 β π 4 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0I have never heard of Albertville
08.02.2026 08:42 β π 0 π 0 π¬ 2 π 0The hydrogen economy is not getting enough publicity, unfortunately. Despite β¬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
Insightful
06.02.2026 16:58 β π 0 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0Interesting show
06.02.2026 13:57 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 2 π 0The 'battery-everything' stuff is a charade
04.02.2026 15:45 β π 0 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0You 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..
Hydrogen replaces fossil fuels β
04.02.2026 09:27 β π 0 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0Without 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!
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
31.01.2026 19:37 β π 1 π 1 π¬ 0 π 0Home 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
That's why we need to replace gas storage? I think we can see the options here
31.01.2026 20:06 β π 0 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0Not sure I understand. We are talking about zero emissions storage options for heat?
31.01.2026 19:50 β π 0 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0Not seasonal energy storage? More the infrastructure cost?
31.01.2026 18:09 β π 0 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0The 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?
Q: do you add the cost of the heat pump itself to the overall heating cost?
31.01.2026 17:46 β π 2 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0Agreed, but the hydrogen grid is the main component
31.01.2026 14:30 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0Hydrogen 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..
Heat pumps immediately double your heating bill: Β£15k every 15-20; so about a thousand per year?
31.01.2026 14:16 β π 0 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0Hydrogen 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..
Hydrogen replaces natural gas: fact
31.01.2026 14:05 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0They cost Β£15k (unit, installation, boiler, pipework) every 15-20 years, thus instantly doubling your heating bill
31.01.2026 14:03 β π 0 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0Renewables alone are not going to replace 800TWh of gas in the UK
31.01.2026 13:59 β π 0 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0ENTSO-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
They cost double including installation, boiler, pipework etc
31.01.2026 13:52 β π 0 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0Are heat pumps the only way to reduce emissions?
31.01.2026 13:50 β π 0 π 0 π¬ 2 π 0