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The Hydrogen Economy: Opportunities, Costs, Barriers, and Research and Development Needs

Project Summary

Full Title: The Hydrogen Economy: Opportunities, Costs, Barriers, and Research and Development Needs
Project ID: 206
Principal Investigator: Michael P. Ramage
Keywords: Hydrogen infrastructure, transition, greenhouse gases (GHG), wind, solar, photovoltaic (PV), coal

Purpose

This analysis focuses on the technical, social and policy changes that must be overcome to move toward a hydrogen vision and to achieve the sought-after benefits. The analysis focuses exclusively on hydrogen although it notes that alternative or complementary strategies might also serve the same goals well.

Performer

Principal Investigator: Michael P. Ramage
Organization:National Academy of Engineering
Address:500 5th St., NW
Washington, DC 20001
Telephone:202-334-2000
Additional Performers: National Research Council

Sponsor(s)

Name:Steve Chalk
Organization:DOE/EERE/HFCIT
Telephone:202-586-8064
Email:Steven.Chalk@ee.doe.gov

Period of Performance

End: February 2004

Project Description

Type of Project: Analysis
Category: Environmental, Hydrogen Fuel Pathways
Objectives: Assess the current state of technology for producing hydrogen from a variety of energy sources; Estimate on a consistent basis of current and future projected costs, CO2 emissions, and energy efficiencies for hydrogen technologies; Consider scenarios for the potential penetration of hydrogen into the economy and associated impacts on oil imports and CO2 gas emissions; Address the problem of how hydrogen might be distributed, stored and dispensed to end users with particular emphasis on light-duty vehicles in the transportation sector; Review the DOE’s RD&D plan for hydrogen; Make recommendations to the DOE on RD&D
Technologies Considered: Natural gas, coal, nuclear, biomass, photovoltaic, wind, grid-based electric energy, steam methane reforming, electrolysis, thermal splitting of water
Methodology/Approach: Engineering-economic models
Outputs: Implications for national goals; priorities for research and development; the challenge of transition; the impacts of hydrogen-fueled light-duty vehicles on security and CO2 emissions

Products/Deliverables

 


Date Last Updated: 03/10/2008