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Hydrogen Systems Integration R&D

U.S. Department of Energy Sponsors Research to Develop Integrated Hydrogen Systems

The technological advancements and lessons learned through research, development, and demonstration of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies must be integrated to work as a fully functional system. This is the focus of systems integration — understanding the complex interactions between components, systems costs, environmental impacts, societal impacts, and system trade-offs. Identifying and analyzing these interactions will enable evaluation of alternative concepts and pathways, and result in well-integrated and optimized hydrogen and fuel cell systems.

Led by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, this activity supports the DOE Hydrogen Program through the following tasks and efforts:

• Developing an integrated baseline, linking all the technical and programmatic aspects of the program
• Providing independent systems analysis in support of program decision-making
• Developing a Macro-System Model of the overall hydrogen infrastructure
• Implementing configuration management/change control and risk management processes
• Providing a framework for systematic and comprehensive review of R&D projects
• Commissioning independent peer review panels for critical program milestones/decisions

Article Source: U.S. Department of Energy Hydrogen Program

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Alternative Energy For The Future – The Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Hydrogen Fuel Cells Offer Promise for Alternative Energy

By Richard Chapo

With global warming, general pollution and rising fuel prices, our future energy needs are a hot topic. Fuel cells may represent a solution, one coming sooner than later.

Alternative Energy Concepts – The Hydrogen (H2) Fuel Cell

A fuel cell is a fairly vague phrase thrown around by those in the know and those that know relatively little. Regardless of the particular design, a fuel cell is essentially a cell similar to a battery in which a chemical process occurs to produce electricity. In this case, however, the fuel is hydrogen. The basic idea is to combine hydrogen with oxygen in a process that produces electricity. This electricity is then used as we would normally use it in our lives.

If you read the paper or watch the news, one would think the concept of hydrogen fuels in a new one. In fact, it is not. The first one was created in 1839. The problem, of course, was it was inefficient and there wasn’t much interest since fossil fuels were plentiful and our energy needs were tiny compared to today. It wasn’t until the 1960s that much interest was shown in the energy platform. As with many advances, NASA decided to use fuel cells to power the Gemini and Apollo spacecrafts. Unfortunately, the trick has been translating this limited use to wide spread applications in daily life.

A common misconception is a fuel cell represents renewable energy. Very clearly, it does not. It is a device, not an energy platform. It is like saying a hydroelectric dam is a renewable energy. The dam is a machine to harness a renewable energy resource, but not an energy source in and of itself. The fuel cell works much the same way. It is a methodology for harnessing energy from hydrogen. The particular method can be clean or dirty, to wit, one can use water or coal for the base material. Obviously, coal is not much help.

Fuel cells can be run, in theory, on any material containing hydrogen. This means renewable energy sources such as hydrogen, biogas, and so on. The primary goal is to focus on water and other renewable sources because of their inherent clean advantages. When hydrogen is used, for instance, it produces no tangible pollution or greenhouse gases. The byproduct, instead, is simply water.

There are a few hurdles that must be overcome before hydrogen fuel cells really become a viable energy platform. First, the technology is such that the fuel cells are far too large and heavy to be used for practical purposes. The infamous hydrogen car is not currently viable because of this, although test cars from primarily German manufacturers are being evaluated. The second problem is efficiency, which is to say fuel cells are not. Currently, fuel cells produce energy at a cost of about 10 times that of fossil fuels, and that is a positive estimate. Again, not a viable option.

While these may seem like significant hurdles, they actually point to the viability of hydrogen fuel cells as a power source. These problems are focused on technical aspects of delivery, not on whether the process works. If there is anything we are good at as a species, it is making technological breakthroughs. If we can build a hydrogen nuclear weapon, surely we can build a hydrogen fuel cell.

Rick Chapo is with SolarCompanies.com, a directory of solar energy companies. Visit us to read more articles on renewable energy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Chapo
http://EzineArticles.com/?Future-Energy-Concepts---The-Fuel-Cell&id=245201

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International Hydrogen R&D Partnerships

U.S. Department of Energy Partners with Other Countries to Promote Hydrogen Fuel Cell Research

Bilateral and multilateral hydrogen and fuel cell technology R&D cooperation and collaboration will be a central tool in advancing towards the hydrogen economy.

Two key multilateral international partnerships that are facilitating cooperative R&D efforts:

• International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy
• International Energy Agency Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Implementing Agreements

International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy (IPHE)

At the April 2003 International Energy Agency Ministerial, U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham called for the establishment of the International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy to serve as a mechanism to organize and implement effective, efficient, and focused international research, development, demonstration and commercial utilization activities related to hydrogen energy technologies. It also provides a forum for advancing policies, and international codes and standards that can accelerate the cost-effective transition to a global hydrogen economy. The ultimate goal of the IPHE will be to enable Partner countries’ consumers to have by 2020 the practical option of purchasing a competitively priced hydrogen-powered vehicle that can be refueled conveniently.

IPHE Member Countries

In 2005, the first ten projects endorsed by the IPHE Steering Committee were announced, a product of the IPHE Implementation — Liaison Committee led by Germany and Iceland. They cover a broad range of topics, including fuel cell development, hydrogen safety, the use of natural gas as a catalyst, and hydrogen production using solar energy. All projects are collaborative in nature with multiple IPHE members as sponsors. Results and lessons learned from the projects will be disseminated to all IPHE members and will be made available to the public. This selection is the first international recognition provided to collaborative research projects on hydrogen and fuel cell development.

International Energy Agency (IEA)

The International Energy Agency (IEA) was established in 1974, following the first oil crisis, for the purpose of facilitating collaborations for the economic development, energy security, environmental protection, and well-being of its members and of the world as a whole. For more than 20 years, the IEA has supported collaborative activities focused on the advancement of hydrogen technologies.

The U.S. has participated in several IEA Implementing Agreements (international collaboration agreements) related to hydrogen and fuel cell technologies over the past two decades. A leading role is played by the Implementing Agreements on Hydrogen and Advanced Fuel Cells, while other Implementing Agreements (Advanced Motor Fuels, Advanced Materials for Transportation, Bioenergy, the Greenhouse Gases R&D Program and the Clean Coal Centre) provide contributions on specific topics important for launching the hydrogen economy.

IEA Hydrogen Implementing Agreement

The IEA Hydrogen Program has been in existence for more than 25 years for the purpose of advancing hydrogen technologies and accelerating hydrogen’s acceptance and widespread utilization. The goal of the Hydrogen Program is to accelerate hydrogen implementation and widespread utilization by facilitating, coordinating and maintaining innovative research, development and demonstration activities, through international cooperation and information exchange. Past collaborations have been in the areas of Thermochemical Production, High Temperature Reactors, Electrolysis, Storage, Safety, and Markets. Current activities are summarized in the table below.

IEA Hydrogen Implementing Agreement Participating Countries:

IEA Advanced Fuel Cells Implementing Agreement

The Advanced Fuel Cells Implementing Agreement has been in existence for almost 15 years with the aim of advancing the state of understanding in the field of advanced fuel cells. It achieves this through a coordinated program of research, technology development and system analysis on Molten Carbonate (MCFC), Solid Oxide (SOFC) and Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC) systems. The work is undertaken on a task-sharing basis with each participating country providing an agreed level of effort over the period of the Task. The current phase of the IEA Advanced Fuel Cells Program runs from 2004 to 2007, and comprises the following six annexes.

IEA Advanced Fuel Cells Implementing Agreement Participating Countries:

Article Source: U.S. Department of Energy Hydrogen Program

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