Fear not, TiM, I'm a rusted-on believer in, and advocate for the scientific method ...and specialist climate science conclusions!
My examinations of the topic are confined to considering the present and future efficacy of hydrogen as a zero carbon power source, particularly in relation to Fortescue.
It seems to me, there are 2 hydrogen potentialities for Fortescue, both of which require, first, perfecting storage, piping and transportation methods:
1. As a fuel source for our mining equipment and transport.....after the completion of trialling the ev Roadrunner and the hfc Europa haul trucks, we will know whether hydrogen will be used at our mining sites
2. As a product we can produce and sell at a profit. For this to occur two hurdles have to be successfully conquered....sufficiently cheap production costings and, importantly sufficient demand to justify the massive capital expenditure to establish production, storage and transportation infrastructure.
All of the above are very big asks....that's why I'm sceptical at this stage.....but I hope I'm proven wrong!
Meanwhile, barely a day goes by, without the announcement of another technological quantum leap ......In the past couple of weeks, for instance, Chinese ev producer, BYD, released news of its brand new car which fully charges in 5 minutes. Science and its industrial applications wait for no-one!
And ,of course, our very own Fortescue Zero which has just won the contract to supply very fast chargers for Formula E races.(10% charge per 30 seconds). In addition Fortescue Zero is doing a lot of R & D on advancing battery technology. The Elysia tech they are supplying to Jaguar Land Rover and Leibherr truck manufacturer reduces charge times, lengthens battery run times, extends battery life, and even supplies the remains battery life longevity for second hand sales.
Yes, technological exponential evolution never sleeps and rapidly renders old or inferior technologies and methodologies obsolete.....does that include hydrogen? ....time will tell.
Thanks for your information TiM, cheers, Wes Tiger
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