Hydrogen Economy

The announcement of a hydrogen fuel initiative in the President's 2003 State of the Union speech substantially increased interest in the potential for hydrogen to play a major role in the nation's long-term energy future. Prior to that event, DOE asked the National Research Council to examine key technical issues about the hydrogen economy to assist in the development of its hydrogen R&D program. Included in the assessment were the current state of technology; future cost estimates; CO2 emissions; distribution, storage, and end use considerations; and the DOE RD&D program. The report provides an assessment of hydrogen as a fuel in the nation's future energy economy and describes a number of important challenges that must be overcome if it is to make a major energy contribution. Topics covered include the hydrogen end-use technologies, transportation, hydrogen production technologies, and transition issues for hydrogen in vehicles.Table of ContentsFront MatterExecutive Summary1. Introduction2. A Framework for Thinking About the Hydrogen Economy3. The Demand Side: Hydrogen End-Use Technologies4. Transportation, Distribution, and Storage of Hydrogen5. Supply Chains for Hydrogen and Estimated Costs of Hydrogen Supply6. Implications of a Transitionto Hydrogen in Vehicles for the U.S. Energy System7. Carbon Capture and Storage8. Hydrogen Production Technologies9. Crosscutting Issues10. Major Messages of the ReportReferencesAppendix A: Biographies of Committee MembersAppendix B: Letter ReportAppendix C: DOE Hydrogen Program BudgetAppendix D: Presentations and Committee MeetingsAppendix E: Spreadsheet Data from Hydrogen Supply Chain Cost AnalysesAppendix F: U.S. Energy SystemsAppendix G: Hydrogen Production Technologies: Additional DiscussionAppendix H: Useful Conversions and Thermodynamic Properties