The Evolution of Human Energy Use

The history of human energy consumption is essentially a tale of two elements: hydrogen and carbon. Together, they form hydrocarbons, which have been the primary source of energy for humans since ancient times. Wood, used for heating and cooking, coal, which powered our electricity plants, oil, which provided a dense fuel for transportation, and natural gas, which heats modern homes and is gradually replacing coal in power plants, are all hydrocarbons.

The Transition from Carbon to Hydrogen

Humanity has been gradually transitioning from hydrocarbons with a high carbon content to those with more hydrogen. This process, known as "decarbonization," has resulted in cleaner energy sources. Wood has a ratio of about 10 carbon atoms to 1 hydrogen atom, coal is 1 to 1, oil is 1 to 2, and natural gas is 1 to 4. When burned, hydrogen turns into water vapor and heat, making it a cleaner energy source. This transition from carbon to hydrogen has been ongoing for centuries. Coal replaced wood as the primary energy source in the U.S. around 1900 and globally around 1935. Oil took over from coal in the U.S. around 1950 and globally around 1970. Natural gas and nuclear energy were set to be the next dominant energy sources, but around 1970, the transition to cleaner fuels came to a halt.

The Halt in the Energy Transition

Jesse H. Ausubel, Director of the Program for the Human Environment and Senior Research Associate at The Rockefeller University in New York City, highlighted this concerning trend. He noted that the energy transition, which had been progressing smoothly for about 200 years, suddenly stopped and even slightly reversed in the U.S. and globally. Ausubel attributed this halt primarily to the failure of nuclear energy to gain the expected market share. In the 1980s, 46 nuclear reactors were commissioned in the U.S., but since then, only eight have been added, while many have been decommissioned. He cited opposition from environmentalists, protectionism in the coal industry, and marketing mistakes by natural gas companies as contributing factors.

Resumption of the Energy Transition

The transition from carbon to hydrogen has resumed in the U.S., driven by the significant expansion of cheap natural gas and a corresponding decline in coal power since 2010. Ausubel argues that the next step is to continue replacing carbon with hydrogen, favoring natural gas over coal and oil. He advocates for the global diffusion of large near-zero emission power plants, like those promised by the U.S. company Net Power in Texas by 2027. He also calls for the construction of large nuclear power parks that produce hydrogen, which can be used to reduce ores, heat homes and industries, synthesize chemicals, produce liquid fuels like methanol and ammonia, run engines, and even provide feedstock for food production.

Bottom Line

The transition from carbon to hydrogen in our energy sources is crucial for a healthier world, robust economic growth, and climate protection. The question is, can we overcome the obstacles that have hindered this transition in the past, and fully embrace hydrogen as our primary energy source? What are your thoughts on this matter? Share this article with your friends and sign up for the Daily Briefing, delivered every day at 6pm.