Hydrogen Economy

UNITED STATES

As the world’s largest consumer of fossil fuels, the United States is keeping a close watch on the world’s fossil fuel reserves. Already importing 55% of it oil, the United States is weary that any increase in world fossil fuel supplies will have major impacts on the American economy and lifestyle [1]. However, despite the United State’s massive economic power and natural resources, alternative energy sources are still far from a daily reality. In order to make that transition, America has to overcome its fossil-fuel dependent culture. Currently, the United States uses up to 20 million barrels of oil per day, of which two-thirds of it is used for transportation. The United States is also home to the world’s largest oil companies, all of whom have great lobbying power in Washington D.C. and therefore vested interests in opposing any fossil-fuel alternative.

However, American politicians are becoming increasingly concerned about the impending energy crisis and are beginning to invest in research and development. In 2002, President George W. Bush announced the FreedomCAR Partnership and soon afterwards, in 2003, the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative. Of the $1.7 billion that will be committed in the next five years, $1.2 billion will be dedicated for hydrogen and fuel cells research and development and $500 million will be for research and development of hybrid and vehicle technology [2].

Goals of the Hydrogen Initiative

Lowering the cost of using hydrogen: Currently, hydrogen is three to four times as expensive to produce as gasoline (when produced from its most affordable source, natural gas) while fuel cells are up to ten times more expensive than internal combustion engines. The Hydrogen Fuel Initiative seeks to lower that cost enough to make hydrogen cost-competitive with gasoline by 2010, and to advance the methods of producing hydrogen from renewable resources, nuclear energy, and coal with carbon capture and sequestration.

Creating effective hydrogen storage: Hydrogen storage systems are currently impractical for regular use. The Hydrogen Fuel Initiative will support the exploratory research and development needed to overcome the challenges of hydrogen storage. It aims to effectively store the amount of hydrogen required to go a conventional driving distance (>300 miles) while maintaining the vehicular constraints of weight, volume, efficiency, safety, and cost.

Decreasing America’s energy dependence: The Hydrogen Fuel Initiative hopes to decrease the United States demand for oil by over 11 million barrels per day by 2040.

President Bush looks at a hydrogen powered scooter

Promoting hydrogen

The Hydrogen Fuel Initiative and the FreedomCAR projects aim to develop technologies and infrastructure needed to develop the technology necessary for commercially viable hydrogen fuel cells. Through collaborative efforts between the US government and automakers, the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative wil research hybrid components, fuel cells, hydrogen production and distribution as well as continuing support for research into some advanced combustion engine technologies that could improve fuel economy in the near-term [3].

Sources

1. Department of Energy. EIA Annual Energy Outlook 2003. DOE: Energy Information Association, January 2003.

2. Chalk, Steve. “President’s Hydrogen Fuel Initiative,” U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. April 3, 2003.

3. Department of Energy. “President’s Hydrogen Initiative. A Clean and Secure Energy Future.” DOE: Energy Information Association. Found: http://www.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/presidents_initiative.html.

4. Government of California. "Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's California Hydrogen HIghway Network Action Plan". Found: http://www.hydrogenhighway.ca.gov/vision/vision.pdf.

"I am going to encourage the building of a hydrogen highway to take us to the environmental future... I intend to show the world that economic growth and the environment can coexist. And if you want to see it, then come to California..." Governor Schwarzenegger, State of the State Address, January 6, 2004

California ’s “Vision 2010”

Early 2004, California’s governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, announced a state initiative to install a Hydrogen Highway Network consisting of 150-200 hydrogen fueling stations by 2010 [4]. It is estimated that this project will cost between $75 -$200 million with the majority of the investments coming from energy companies, automakers and high-tech companies. California’s government, for its part in the public-private joint venture, will provide incentives, loan guarantees, revenue bond funding and training to encourage private companies to participate and to plant the seeds needed for a hydrogen economy. Today, California already has a dozen hydrogen fueling stations and more than 40 fuel cell vehicles conducting demonstration projects throughout the state. By 2007, fleets of fuel cell hybrid buses and light-duty vehicles will be in place to demonstrate an early hydrogen fueling infrastructure. Provided that there is a fueling infrastructure in place, automakers optimistically project that by 2010, there will be “tens of thousands” fuel cell vehicles.

Introduction

Production

Storage & Infrastructure

Atmospheric Effects

Government Involvement

Iceland

Conclusions



Introduction Production Storage & Infrastructure Applications Atmospheric Effects Government Involvement Iceland United States European Union Japan Canada Conclusions	UNITED STATES As the world’s largest consumer of fossil fuels, the United States is keeping a close watch on the world’s fossil fuel reserves. Already importing 55% of it oil, the United States is weary that any increase in world fossil fuel supplies will have major impacts on the American economy and lifestyle [1]. However, despite the United State’s massive economic power and natural resources, alternative energy sources are still far from a daily reality. In order to make that transition, America has to overcome its fossil-fuel dependent culture. Currently, the United States uses up to 20 million barrels of oil per day, of which two-thirds of it is used for transportation. The United States is also home to the world’s largest oil companies, all of whom have great lobbying power in Washington D.C. and therefore vested interests in opposing any fossil-fuel alternative. However, American politicians are becoming increasingly concerned about the impending energy crisis and are beginning to invest in research and development. In 2002, President George W. Bush announced the FreedomCAR Partnership and soon afterwards, in 2003, the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative. Of the $1.7 billion that will be committed in the next five years, $1.2 billion will be dedicated for hydrogen and fuel cells research and development and $500 million will be for research and development of hybrid and vehicle technology [2]. Goals of the Hydrogen Initiative Lowering the cost of using hydrogen: Currently, hydrogen is three to four times as expensive to produce as gasoline (when produced from its most affordable source, natural gas) while fuel cells are up to ten times more expensive than internal combustion engines. The Hydrogen Fuel Initiative seeks to lower that cost enough to make hydrogen cost-competitive with gasoline by 2010, and to advance the methods of producing hydrogen from renewable resources, nuclear energy, and coal with carbon capture and sequestration. Creating effective hydrogen storage: Hydrogen storage systems are currently impractical for regular use. The Hydrogen Fuel Initiative will support the exploratory research and development needed to overcome the challenges of hydrogen storage. It aims to effectively store the amount of hydrogen required to go a conventional driving distance (>300 miles) while maintaining the vehicular constraints of weight, volume, efficiency, safety, and cost. Decreasing America’s energy dependence: The Hydrogen Fuel Initiative hopes to decrease the United States demand for oil by over 11 million barrels per day by 2040. President Bush looks at a hydrogen powered scooter Promoting hydrogen The Hydrogen Fuel Initiative and the FreedomCAR projects aim to develop technologies and infrastructure needed to develop the technology necessary for commercially viable hydrogen fuel cells. Through collaborative efforts between the US government and automakers, the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative wil research hybrid components, fuel cells, hydrogen production and distribution as well as continuing support for research into some advanced combustion engine technologies that could improve fuel economy in the near-term [3]. Sources 1. Department of Energy. EIA Annual Energy Outlook 2003. DOE: Energy Information Association, January 2003. 2. Chalk, Steve. “President’s Hydrogen Fuel Initiative,” U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. April 3, 2003. 3. Department of Energy. “President’s Hydrogen Initiative. A Clean and Secure Energy Future.” DOE: Energy Information Association. Found: http://www.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/presidents_initiative.html. 4. Government of California. "Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's California Hydrogen HIghway Network Action Plan". Found: http://www.hydrogenhighway.ca.gov/vision/vision.pdf. "I am going to encourage the building of a hydrogen highway to take us to the environmental future... I intend to show the world that economic growth and the environment can coexist. And if you want to see it, then come to California..." Governor Schwarzenegger, State of the State Address, January 6, 2004 California ’s “Vision 2010” Early 2004, California’s governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, announced a state initiative to install a Hydrogen Highway Network consisting of 150-200 hydrogen fueling stations by 2010 [4]. It is estimated that this project will cost between $75 -$200 million with the majority of the investments coming from energy companies, automakers and high-tech companies. California’s government, for its part in the public-private joint venture, will provide incentives, loan guarantees, revenue bond funding and training to encourage private companies to participate and to plant the seeds needed for a hydrogen economy. Today, California already has a dozen hydrogen fueling stations and more than 40 fuel cell vehicles conducting demonstration projects throughout the state. By 2007, fleets of fuel cell hybrid buses and light-duty vehicles will be in place to demonstrate an early hydrogen fueling infrastructure. Provided that there is a fueling infrastructure in place, automakers optimistically project that by 2010, there will be “tens of thousands” fuel cell vehicles.
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