News Tokyo government plans hydrogen pipelines

[thomas]

Something's in the pipeline, and it seems to be hydrogen for the capital: Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike announced plans to build a hydrogen supply network of pipelines in the capital as an energy resource to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Koike made the pitch on 8 November at a meeting on "green hydrogen" during the COP27 summit in Egypt.

Green hydrogen is derived from renewable energy sources and has a minimal environmental impact, unlike fossil fuels. During the meeting, Koike spoke about green hydrogen being a pillar to achieving a decarbonated society once the system is up and running in Japan's capital. "We have plans to build a supply system, including pipelines, to receive 'green hydrogen' generated around the world," she said. [...] Tokyo officials are now weighing research costs for the plan in its fiscal 2023 budget as an initial step in the undertaking. During the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics held in 2021, the metropolitan government operated a hydrogen station in the athletes' village in the Harumi district of Chuo Ward in the waterfront area. [...] Koike was the first Tokyo governor to attend a COP conference, metropolitan government officials said. Organizers of the COP27 told the Tokyo government they wanted Koike to attend the meeting because she "is knowledgeable about environmental policies due to her experience of working as environment minister."

Tokyo governor eyes ‘hydrogen pipeline’ for the capital | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

I thought Koike wanted a free ride to visit her alma mater in Cairo, but then I found this article. It seems much of her earlier curriculum is fake, but that's another story.

 

[Petaris]

I wonder about the logistics and practicality of that. I have understood previously that hydrogen was very hard to keep from leaking. Maybe that issue has been solved now? If so that would be a great boon for a lot of use cases.