U.S. includes renewables in strategic plan for hydrogen

WASHINGTON, DC, US, 2004-03-17 (Refocus Weekly) The United States government will “accelerate and expand research on the production of hydrogen from renewable resources,” according to the strategy of the Department of Energy.Among the priorities for renewable resources are cost reductions in electrolysis and work on thermochemical conversion of biomass, in addition to photoelectrochemical systems and water electrolysis, says DOE's ‘Hydrogen Posture Plan.’ The plan is focussed on the transportation sector, and outlines the activities and milestones needed to support the U.S. shift to a hydrogen-based energy system.

The plan notes that the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier can enhance energy security while reducing air pollution and GHG emissions, and supports the vision of president George Bush for a hydrogen economy, explains energy secretary Spencer Abraham. It will integrate research from DOE’s renewable, nuclear and fossil offices, leading up to a commercialization decision by industry in 2015.

“The federal government will play a key role in accelerating the transition towards the hydrogen economy by pursuing research to overcome technical challenges,” it says. The long-term hydrogen initiative is complemented by other DOE programs on near-term energy efficiency and renewable energy.

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“In the long-term vision of the hydrogen economy (which will take several decades to achieve), hydrogen will be available in all regions of the country and will serve all sectors of the economy,” the document notes. “It will be produced from fossil fuels (with carbon capture and sequestration), renewable energy, and nuclear energy. It will be used throughout the transportation, electric power, and consumer sectors.”

“In the near- to mid-term, most hydrogen will likely be produced by technologies that do not require a new hydrogen delivery infrastructure, ie: from distributed natural gas and electrolysis of water using electricity (with emphasis on renewable sources such as wind power),” it continues. “As research, development and demonstration efforts progress along renewable, nuclear and clean coal and natural gas production pathways, a suite of technologies will become available in the mid- and longer-term to produce hydrogen from a diverse array of domestic resources.”
DOE will “focus on methods to produce affordable supplies of hydrogen from water using renewable electricity (eg: solar, wind) and nuclear sources of energy, or even using direct solar conversion or biological methods,” it adds. “A mix of diverse energy feedstocks to produce hydrogen is needed to gradually make the transition to a sustainable, secure, affordable and environmentally safe hydrogen energy system.”

Bush wants to invest US$1.7 billion over five years to develop hydrogen-powered fuel cells, hydrogen infrastructure and advanced automotive technologies.