Future Tense Are we kidding ourselves about decarbonisation?
Sep 25, 2025
Guest
Professor Matthew Hill
Guest
Adjunct Associate Professor Madoc Sheehan
Guest
Alison Reeve
Guest
Professor Martin Brueckner
Professor Martin Brueckner critiques the misconception that Australia is swiftly decarbonizing, emphasizing rising emissions from fossil fuel exports. Alison Reeve discusses the challenges facing green hydrogen development, including investment hesitance and competing technologies. Madoc Sheehan highlights crucial resource constraints and water needs for hydrogen production. Meanwhile, Professor Matthew Hill presents innovative membrane technologies for hydrogen storage, paving the way for potentially safer and cost-effective transport solutions.
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Episode notes
Electricity Beats Hydrogen In Many Uses
- Hydrogen is versatile in theory but often a poor performer compared with direct electrification.
- Alison Reeve says electricity beats hydrogen for many transport and household heating use cases.
Green Hydrogen Is Water Intensive
- Producing green hydrogen uses direct and substantial indirect water, including purification and cooling.
- Madoc Sheehan highlights the need for ultra-pure water and significant indirect water consumption.
Water Estimates For Hydrogen Vary Huge
- Indirect water use estimates vary widely; government modelling used a low 30 L/kg figure.
- Sheehan's review finds typical indirect values 90–300 L/kg, implying massive national water demand for large-scale hydrogen.