GRA
Well-known member
If you want to get in a little deeper, a good overview of the issues that will delay if not prevent the adoption of hydrogen fuel cells is the book "The Hype about Hydrogen", by Joseph Romm, 2004. http://www.amazon.com/The-Hype-About-Hydrogen-Fiction/dp/1559637048" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Not sure why amazon lists it as fiction, as it's not. Romm's bio is here:apvkt said:Hi all,
This section is very helpful in gathering details about the benefits of hydrogen cars. Thanks for sharing this type of useful and informative articles..
http://www.amazon.com/The-Hype-About-Hydrogen-Fiction/dp/1559637048" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
As I stated earlier, I don't see hydrogen fuel cells for cars being viable unless we have on-site electrolysis of water at fueling points, which eliminates the transport issues of low density for road transport and leakage from pipes. On-site electrolysis will likely only be economic when we have an excess of variable renewables on the grid, which would otherwise have to be turned off to prevent voltage/frequency problems, i.e. use it or lose it.
Someone mentioned 3,600 PSI as a typical storage pressure, although they may have been referring to CNG. My understanding is that current vehicle tanks are either 5,000 or 10,000 PSI, and that progress is being made on using tank linings that adsorb H2, eliminating the need for high pressure storage. See http://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/pdfs/fct_h2_storage.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
So, while I don't think H2 fuel cells are going to be economically and environmentally viable anytime soon, I believe we definitely should continue with development and not lock in yet to a single technology (batteries).
Edit Just found this at GCC:
"ITM Power reports its estimated cost of producing hydrogen via electrolysis down significantly from last year"
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2013/07/itmpower-20130722.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;