Green hydrogen (H2V) is recognized by many as the most significant contributor to the global energy transition and the most potent option to decarbonize the earth. However, H2V, like any other innovative technology at the beginning, is not widely accepted and is still not very much understood by the public. Consequently, misinformation and myths that are not going away keep on being circulated through social media.
The first step is to ensure that these misconceptions are blown away through the provision of simple and factual information. If not, public perception may turn into a barrier for a technology that has the potential to change the energy landscape, industrial practices, and climate policy not just in a region but globally.
Myth #1: Green Hydrogen Is Too Difficult to Store
One of the primary myths surrounding green hydrogen is that it has always been a difficult factor related to its storage. The truth is that hydrogen can be stored very securely and also very conveniently, especially if in the form of gas.
The most common technique is the compression of hydrogen gas into high-pressure cylinders made from either steel or carbon-fiber-reinforced composite. The pressures for which these cylinders are built to last is typically between 200 and 350 bar. This means green hydrogen can be stored at locations that are very similar to those for conventional gas, like the case of compressed natural gas (CNG), but only using specially designed containers for higher pressures.
On the technical side, hydrogen storages are not yet developed. It is a problem where the engineering has reached the point of application and the solutions are already in use.
Myth #2: Transport and Distribution Are Major Barriers
There is another belief that green hydrogen cannot be transported or distributed at a large scale. Actually, hydrogen can be distributed through pipelines the same as natural gas, though at higher pressures and with materials that do not succumb to hydrogen embrittlement.
Steel and metal alloys are used widely for preventing the corrosion and degradation of the materials. Hydrogen given high pressure is stored and transported through the pipelines that are meant for such purpose and allows long-distance transport. Furthermore, hydrogen can also be transported by ordinary gas transport trucks that are modified to take the higher pressure.
In simpler terms, while the distribution of hydrogen is difficult, it is not impossible.
Myth #3: Electrolyzers Are Too Expensive and Depend on Scarce Materials
Electrolyzers generally use catalysts made with platinum-group metals, which include platinum, iridium, ruthenium, and palladium. The extraction of these metals takes place in different parts of the world, like South Africa, Russia, and Canada. The total amount of these metals available to the world is not too much, but still, the current supply is reliable and ongoing.
What is more, the technological advances are quickly changing the electrolyzer designs. Among the advances are the use of polymer electrolyte membranes, the enhancement of recycling methods, and the search for alternative materials. There is nothing that points to the supply-chain issues becoming an unbeatable obstacle to the green hydrogen's production process.
The Largest Energy Transition in Human History
Humanity depended on natural energy sources, like trees, wind, and water, for almost three hundred thousand years. Fossil fuels eventually appeared on the scene only two hundred years ago, causing the environment severe degradation.
The development of green hydrogen indicates a deep change in the carbon-intensive model. It is the biggest energy transition of all time. Like all paradigm shifts, there come myths and opposition. But if Brazil is to take part in the global hydrogen competition it will have no option but to counter the false tales with truth.
Brazil’s First Biogas-to-Hydrogen Pilot Plant: A National Milestone
In the fourth quarter of 2025, the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) inaugurated Brazil’s first pilot plant dedicated to producing renewable hydrogen from biogas at its Polytechnic Center in Curitiba.
The project, funded through Copel GeT’s R&D program, is unprecedented in the country. It uses organic waste generated daily by UFPR’s university restaurant to produce high-purity hydrogen without consuming water.
This process relies on anaerobic biodigestion to generate biogas, followed by dry catalytic reforming, thermochemical conversion, PSA purification, compression, storage, and conversion into electricity via fuel cells.
“Through biomass, we turn waste into biogas, energy, and fertilizers. Everything that enters the process is reused,” explains Leandro Foldran, R&D manager at Copel GeT.
Paraná as a Secondary Front
In contrast, fertilizer operations in Paraná play a supporting role in Brazil's industrial map. While relevant for regional supply and operational balance, these assets lack the scale, export potential and strategic integration seen in Ceará.
From an investor and policy perspective, Paraná represents continuity. Ceará represents transformation. However, if the Paraná project gains scale, it could represent a profound change in the hydrogen market, especially if we consider the production capacity that this type of hydrogen could achieve in relation to the organic waste produced by both large cities and agribusiness.
Why This Project Matters for Brazil’s Energy Future
Brazil has one of the world’s largest untapped biogas potentials, yet currently exploits less than 5% of its available organic waste. Converting this resource into hydrogen dramatically increases its economic value and strategic importance.
With hydrogen prices potentially reaching US$ 3 to US$ 3.50 per kilogram at scale — below current global benchmarks — biogas-based hydrogen could become one of Brazil’s most competitive energy assets.
More than a scientific breakthrough, UFPR’s pilot plant is proof that Brazil can lead the global transition to low-carbon energy.
The Bottom Line
Green hydrogen is not a distant promise. It is already being produced, stored, transported, and used, safely and efficiently. The real challenge lies not in technology, but in overcoming misinformation and accelerating deployment.
If Brazil acts decisively, it will not only decarbonize its economy but also secure a strategic position in one of the most important energy markets of the 21st century.
The race has already begun.
