Matt and Paul have a meandering conversation with Chris Kroeker from NW Natural about H2’s role in the energy transition.04:01 - all the colors of hydrogen17:32 - difference between hydrogen (H2) and renewable natural gas (CH4)21:23 - How much H2 can go in CH4 transmission and distribution lines?26:58 - How much H2 can be used in natural gas power plants?29:35 - H2’s role in industrial decarbonization (include paper mills)31:50 - Infrastructure necessary to get H2 to industrial loads (and money from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that may go toward it)36:50 - How much hydrogen infrastructure does a billion dollars get ya!? 39:15 - Is there an inverse heat rate for the electricity to H2 conversion? 
55kWh/kg-H2, 1kg-H2 = 135,000 btu 
55kWh/135,000btu or 2,454 btu/kWh
Inverse heat rate (a.k.a. the Cold Hart Rate) = 1 / 2.454 MMBTU/MWh = 0.4075 MWh/MMBTU
Break even price for electrolysis at $30/MWh = 0.4075 MWh/MMBTU * $30/MWh = $12.22/MMBTU
I decided to check my concepts against known efficiencies of Proton exchange membrane electrolysis cells
3.4121 MMBTU = 1 MWh
Efficiency of electrolysis conversion from MWh to H2, η = ~70%

η*3.4121MMBTU/MWh = 2.38847 MMBTU/MWh 
Inverse heat rate (a.k.a. the Cold Hart Rate) = 1/2.38847 MMBTU/MWh = 0.4187 MWh/MMBTU 
Break even price for electrolysis at $30/MWh = 0.4187 MWh/MMBTU * $30/MWh = $12.56/MMBTU
Special thanks to Chris Kroeker and Jonathan Hart for finding mistakes in my initial math. In exchange for Jon’s help resolving my error, I will forever refer to this conversion as the “Cold Hart Rate”. I don’t know if that was useful, if you have thoughts about the usefulness of an inverse heat rate or better math, let me know.Remember to share this with any friends you have that are electric utility enthusiasts like us!Public Power Underground, for electric utility enthusiasts! Public Power Underground, where you’re valued and appreciated.