| Contents Notes |
Framework for thinking about the hydrogen economy -- Demand side -- Transportation, distribution, and storage of hydrogen -- Supply chains for hydrogen and estimated costs of hydrogen supply -- Implications of a transition to hydrogen in vehicles for the U.S. energy system -- Carbon capture and storage -- Hydrogen production technologies -- Crosscutting issues -- Major messages of this report. The National Academies' National Research Council appointed the Committee on Alternatives and Strategies for Future Hydrogen Production and Use in the fall of 2002 to address the complex subject of the "hydrogen economy." In particular, the committee carried out these tasks: Assessed the current state of technology for producing hydrogen from a variety of energy sources; Made estimates on a consistent basis of current and future projected costs, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and energy efficiencies for hydrogen technologies; Considered scenarios for the potential penetration of hydrogen into the economy and associated impacts on oil imports and CO2 gas emissions; Addressed the problem of how hydrogen might be distributed, stored, and dispensed to end uses -- together with associated infrastructure issues -- with particular emphasis on light-duty vehicles in the transportation sector; Reviewed the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) research, development, and demonstration (RD & D) plan for hydrogen; and Made recommendations to the DOE on RD & D, including directions, priorities, and strategies. - Executive summary. |
