[walnutclosefarm]

If the efficiency of propane production (from atmospheric CO2) can be made even close to that for hydrogen from hydrolysis, then the systems benefits of propane over compressed and/or liquid hydrogen will blow liquid hydrogen out of the water. Hydrogen is an awful fuel. It's only real advantage is the potential for being carbon neutral, and the fact that it doesn't create noxious air pollution when used in a fuel cell. It's claimed advantage of energy density is at best a wash in most applications - higher density by mass, but much lower by volume. But everything to do with hydrogen as a fuel system is hard, complicated, and expensive, compared to the alternatives.

[Qwertious]

What's your point? I literally said "renewable hydrocarbons will be a better alternative".

I'm saying that hydrogen is a bad option, but if e.g. this renewable propane turns out to cost $1000/litre then hydrogen wins by default. It wouldn't be that surprising, current synthfuel is expensive AF. And this new headline hasn't been commercialized yet, so it might not be viable after all.

The benefit of hydrogen fuel is that, while it works poorly, it does work and is already in use today, in e.g. forklifts. It was in use decades ago, in fact. It's boring and low-risk, if we can't find anything good.