What's all the hype with Hydrogen

A couple of weeks ago now I needed to jump on Linkedin to check some messages. While there I saw a couple of posts about how hydrogen is the greatest thing since 3-phase power and that we should all jump in the boat.

Now, I haven't researched hydrogen, recent technology developments, etc for a few years now, so rather than doing the work that I was planning I decided to follow the rabbit down the hole.

Still Hype

What I found was, from my electrical engineer perspective, is that hydrogen, like self driving cars and is really 5-10y away, and I think it will be like that perpetually.

There are a few reasons for this prediction, and like Cassandra I don't think these reasons will make any difference.

1. Energy Density - Hydrogen isn't very energy dense
2. Transportation - There isn't an infrastructure to move hydrogen around efficiently. This results in it not being suitable for energy export.
3. It's tiny - H2 is a tiny molecule and reactive. That means that it needs special materials for safe handling. Pipe steel used in most natural gas pipelines aren't suitable.
4. Explosive - Hydrogen is very explosive, and has to be stored at high pressure when the gaseous H2 is used in combustion or fuel cells.

I may go into detail on some of these points later, but my gut is telling me that H2 isn't the next coming for a green energy system.

What I think is more interesting

I still think, that for MOST of our energy needs electricity is the best bet, and when it needs to be mobile batteries.

I'm interested in new battery technology, like sodium-ion batteries which are getting very close to the same energy density as lithium-ion, but with other benefits like operating temperature (especially in cold environments) and cost of input materials. CATL, the largest battery manufacturer in the world announced in the fall that they are launching a sodium-ion battery this year and ready for mass production in 2027.

I think, if we spent the same money that has been announced for the hydrogen economy into upgrading and strengthening our distribution grid. Adding capacity, flexible controls, local storage and generation for high load periods, etc, etc. That we would be able to electrify the transportation fleet at a higher rate, and at the same time be able increase the amount of solar/wind generation. The local distribution circuits, with static storage connected, can assist with regulating the local grid frequency and voltage.

What am I missing?

I still feel like I'm missing something. There is large money backers into hydrogen and there can't just be smoke. The utility industry as a whole is typically very risk adverse and yet, utility companies have representatives at all these hydrogen conferences.

So, I put it to you. What am I missing? Is there something that makes this work at scale? What niche does it look to fill or replace?