"In his clean energy plan last month, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden called for a ramp-up in research on renewable hydrogen, which in theory could be a transformative, emissions-free fuel source for everything from cars to cement making.

That preceded Microsoft Corp. joining a global hydrogen industry group as steering member and utility giant Florida Power & Light Co. announcing last week that it would build its first "green" hydrogen plant.

The moves, along with recent European projects, are highlighting a debate about whether renewable or "green" hydrogen — produced from carbon-free energy sources — is ready for prime time or is overhyped.

"People are anticipating there is going to be policy support...or that there will be a sufficient business case," said Kobad Bhavnagri, head of industrial decarbonization for Bloomberg New Energy Finance."

Miranda Willson and David Iaconangelo report for E&E News August 5, 2020. [2]