Engineering360: "Green hydrogen goes big in Brazil"

What is the opportunity cost in the carbon economy? How much vegetation-growing surface will be lost to the windmill bases or shaded by the structures? Does the value of the hydrogen outweigh the loss of photosynthetic carbon uptake, or the products of that which could be grown there? How much carbon will be emitted in the construction and operation of the wind generators, their support infrastructure, and the hydrogen infrastructure? What will be done with the waste when the blades are worn out and must be removed for disposal?

These are questions seldom considered in the calculations used to claim that a "green" project will prevent x amount of carbon emissions. It's all very nice to want to "save the planet," but responsible stewardship requires some thought to avoid being surprised by unpleasant unintended consequences.

All projects must be evaluated from when the material comes from the earth, while being used on this earth and when the material goes back to the earth. If the solar panels are placed on agriculture land, they can be elevated and spaced such that crops can still be produced beneath them. The best location is on non agriculture land. Likewise, with the wind generators. Fuel cell power that uses hydrogen will replace battery powered vehicles in ten years.