Clean, reliable, efficient energy is possible through the use of hydrogen fuel cells. Fuel cell vehicles that have hydrogen stored on board do not produce any pollution. Their only byproducts are water and heat.
High volume hydrogen production will be necessary to provide the fuel for the hydrogen car. Most hydrogen in the United States is produced today through the steam reforming of natural gas produced by companies like Western Pipeline Corporation. The cost to produce and deliver this hydrogen is too expensive to make it economically feasible. New technologies are being developed that will lower the cost. These methods will include splitting water into its two components of hydrogen and oxygen such as photobiological water splitting and photoelectrochemical water splitting.
Creating an affordable on-board hydrogen storage system (gas tank) is the biggest challenge hydrogen researchers are faced with. Storing hydrogen is a problem because as a gas hydrogen takes up a lot of space. There are three types of storage tanks: compressed hydrogen, liquid hydrogen and metal hydride tanks. Compressed hydrogen is most prevalent today because it doesn't require the super cooling and insulation of liquid hydrogen. Liquid hydrogen requires special handling and materials to contain and keep the fuel cool and safety is an issue. Metal hydride tanks use specific metallic compounds to release hydrogen at consistent pressures.
A hydrogen generation and delivery infrastructure such as pipelines, trucks, fueling stations and hydrogen generation plants need to be developed. One of the largest infrastructure challenges of hydrogen are fueling stations. For hydrogen cars to be successful hydrogen fueling stations will be required. California has active hydrogen fuel stations. There are hydrogen home stations available as well.
Hydrogen is highly flammable. Hydrogen concept cars are placing the fuel tanks in the middle of the chassis to protect the passengers. Hydrogen fuel cells are also fragile and need to be strong enough to handle the automobile bumps. Processes will have to be developed to respond to hydrogen related accidents. Firemen, policeman and all other responders will have to be trained.
Hydrogen fuel cells today are expensive to produce. New technology is needed to reduce the cost of the component pieces of fuel cells. GM has set a deadline of 2010 to make hydrogen technology safe and affordable. However, production of hydrogen vehicles depends on safe, affordable and convenient availability of hydrogen. Government and industry will have to invest heavily to assure this.
About the Author
Bob Jent is the CEO of Western Pipeline Corporation. Western Pipeline Corp specializes in identifying, acquiring and developing existing, producing reserves on behalf of its individual clients.
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