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 Contents

• Front Matter
• Executive Summary
• 1. Introduction
• 2. A Framework for Thinking About the Hydrogen Economy
• 3. The Demand Side: Hydrogen End-Use Technologies
• 4. Transportation, Distribution, and Storage of Hydrogen
• 5. Supply Chains for Hydrogen and Estimated Costs of Hydrogen Supply
• 6. Implications of a Transitionto Hydrogen in Vehicles for the U.S. Energy System
• 7. Carbon Capture and Storage
• 8. Hydrogen Production Technologies
• 9. Crosscutting Issues
• 10. Major Messages of the Report
• References
• Appendix A: Biographies of Committee Members
• Appendix B: Letter Report
• Appendix C: DOE Hydrogen Program Budget
• Appendix D: Presentations and Committee Meetings
• Appendix E: Spreadsheet Data from Hydrogen Supply Chain Cost Analyses
• Appendix F: U.S. Energy Systems
• Appendix G: Hydrogen Production Technologies: Additional Discussion
• Appendix H: Useful Conversions and Thermodynamic Properties

About the Author
Committee on Alternatives and Strategies for Future Hydrogen Production and Use, National Research Council, National Academy of Engineering


Book Information
ISBN 9780309091633
Author National Academy of Engineering
Format Paperback
Page Count 256
Imprint National Academies Press
Publisher National Academies Press