Hydrogen and its competitors

Risø Energy Report 3

Edited by Hans Larsen, Robert Feidenhans’l and Leif Sønderberg Petersen

Risø National Laboratory, October 2004, 76 p., ISBN 87-550-3350-4

Risø-R-1469(EN) 643 Kb, Dansk resume, English summary

Abstract

Interest in the hydrogen economy has grown rapidly in recent years. Those countries with long traditions of activity in hydrogen research and development have now been joined by a large number of newcomers. The main reason for this surge of interest is that the hydrogen economy may be an answer to the two main challenges facing the world in the years to come: climate change and the need for security of energy supplies. Both these challenges require the development of new, highly-efficient energy technologies that are either carbon-neutral or low emitting technologies.

Alternative fuels could serve as links between the different energy sectors, especially between the power system and the transport sector, to facilitate the uptake of emerging technologies and increase the flexibility and robustness of the energy system as a whole.

This is the background for this Risø Energy Report, the third in a series that provides a perspective on energy issues at global, regional and national levels. The following pages provide a critical examination of the hydrogen economy and its alternatives.

The Report explains the current R&D situation, addresses the challenges facing the large-scale use of hydrogen, and makes some predictions for the future. The Report explores the current and future role of hydrogen in energy systems at Danish, European and global levels. It discusses the technologies for producing, storing and converting hydrogen, the role of hydrogen in the transport sector and in portable electronics, hydrogen infrastructure and distribution systems, and environmental and safety aspects of the hydrogen economy.

Individual chapters of the Report have been written by Risø staff members and leading Danish and international experts. The Report is based on internationally recognised scientific material, and is fully referenced and refereed by an international panel of independent experts. Information on current developments is taken from the most up-to-date and authoritative sources available.

Our target groups have colleagues, collaborating partners, customers, funding organisations, the Danish government and international organisations including the European Union, the International Energy Agency and the United Nations.