Alternative Fuel Sources – Part Seven – Hydrogen

by Darren

Now we come to the last part of our Alternative Fuel Sources series and look at one of the most promising alternative fuel sources of all, Hydrogen. Hydrogen is number one in our hearts and number one on the periodical table of elements, so you know it’s got to be good. The main benefit of Hydrogen is that it burns clean, and has zero GHG emissions. We’ll take a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of Hydrogen in this article.

There are two ways to extract the energy from Hydrogen and use it to fuel vehicles.

1. Simple combustion in ICE’s or turbine engines
2. Converting it to electricity in a fuel cell

As you can see, the two types of Hydrogen fuel delivery are quite distinct. One approach uses a Hydrogen powered ICE and the other introduces fuel cell technology to cars. The difference between the two approaches largely centers around implementation of a strategy for building “filling stations” that can be done on a nationwide basis and remain economically feasible. Supporters of Hydrogen ICEs think their approach is best.

“Part of the attractiveness of the hydrogen ICE is that it allows a rapid deployment of hydrogen-fuel vehicles, helping to make a hydrogen refueling infrastructure economically viable and cost-effective,” said Bob Larsen from the Center for Transportation Research at Argonne National Laboratory. “Because hydrogen ICEs can be manufactured more cheaply than fuel cells, only about 15% more than conventional gasoline engines, and we already have the production facilities in place to make them by the millions, these may be the first vehicles that take us into the hydrogen economy — at least until fuel cell vehicles are proven reliable and affordable.”

The idea between the introduction of Hydrogen ICE is the vehicles that support Hydrogen will also be able to run on and a blend of Hydrogen and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). This dual operational ability will make the car more attractive to consumers, who would rightly be concerned about the ability to “gas up” on Hydrogen.

Proponents of Hydrogen ICE say that there’s not a heck of a lot of difference between burning petroleum based gasoline or Hydrogen, so the engineering feat required to convert auto makers over to making such engines would be minimal. This advantage would also translate into a quick national ramp up of service, assuming a nationwide distribution apparatus could be built concordantly.

Hydrogen ICE also hit the wall when you consider Hydrogen has to be stored in larger tanks than traditional gas. It would take a design breakthrough to improve the current issue of Hydrogen distribution. That said, BMW, who has long been a fan of Hydrogen fuel has produced a new model called the “Hydrogen 7″ which seems to overcome some of the past limitations of the technology. So far, the car is still in the world of “claims” more than reality.

Hydrogen Fuel cells are another possible alternative fuel

We also need to take a look at Hydrogen fuel cells. Hydrogen fuel cells are an alternative to the ICE, offering a whole new type of engine. The amazing thing about fuel cells is that they were first invented in 1839, yet are nowhere in widespread use nearly two centuries later. One of the main reasons is that fuel cells were never a very efficient source of producing electricity. The primary element that has stopped fuel cells from being successful is the cost.

Since 1998, Iceland has attempted to build a Hydrogen Economy around hydrogen fuel cells, so there efforts serve as a teaching aid for anyone interested in the subject. Iceland is the first country to ever try and wean themselves completely from fossil fuels and build a state of the art hydrogen economy. The country is well known for its’ hot springs, geysers, and large reserves of H2. If only the could tap the energy of H2, they surmised, they could lead the world into a new era of energy independence.

So far, the dream of Iceland becoming energy dependent has not manifested in reality.

“Icelanders drive gasoline-powered cars, and big ones at that. In May of 2006, gasoline prices in Reykjavik stood at close to $7 a gallon, and yet large SUV’s are still a common sight on the roadways. Despite the nation’s high hopes for an emissions-free economy, it now stands as the largest greenhouse-polluter per capita in the world (2). However, Iceland is a very well run country, with almost non-existent unemployment, and a comprehensive welfare program, so people can afford to drive big cars, whilst paying some of the highest prices for gasoline of any population”.

Iceland has done quite well in reducing GHG emissions and is a nation highly rated for environmentally friendliness. Their experiments with Hydrogen are mixed, and the country has a very small population base, so it’s unclear just how much of their model could be exported worldwide.

Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of Hydrogen as an alternative fuel.

First, the drawbacks of Hydrogen as an alternative fuel (both Hydrogen ICE) and Hydrogen Fuel Cells.

1. The cost is still prohibitive
2. The technology is inadequate for a global rollout
3. The low density problem. Some experts say that Hydrogen tanks will have to be three times larger than current tanks
4. Liquid hydrogen is dangerous! One false move at the pump and BOOM!
5. There is no national plan for “filling stations”, therefore distribution of Hydrogen based fuel is impossible on a wide scale
6. Hydrogen evaporates. Imagine consumers realizing that their expensive fuel evaporates at the rate of over 1.5% daily.

Advantages of Hydrogen as an alternative fuel

1. Hydrogen is abundant.
2. Will reduce the dependency on foreign oil
3. Hydrogen is a very clean fuel and would lower GHG emissions immensely

Hydrogen is an alternative fuel source that has its’ share of supporters, especially in the auto making industry. But so far no real “killer app” using Hydrogen as an alternative fuel has been introduced. Sure, Hydrogen has some distinct advantages and is very clean, but it’s hard to see where the will to outfit the “filling stations” will come from, other than a few commercial sectors. Right now there’s just no good way to distribute Hydrogen as an alternative fuel in the kind of numbers needed to have an actual impact on the environment, or the dependence on foreign oil.

This is the last part of our Alternative Fuel Sources Series.