This might be of interest to our resident energy experts.
Hydrogen as an energy carrier has generated much attention due to its potential large-scale use in producing electrical energy through fuel-cell technologies and in replacing gasoline for use in transportation. On December 9, 2004, the RAND Corporation hosted a forum that drew 40 experts in various fields to discuss what needs to be done to better inform decisionmakers in the public and private sectors of the benefits and risks of various hydrogen-related programs and policies. The document summarizes the proceedings of that forum.
Forum participants identified the following potential benefits of hydrogen, which warrant further examination and assessment:
• Introducing hydrogen as an alternative energy source could add diversity to the supply of transportation fuels, thereby making the United States less dependent on petroleum and making fuel costs more stable and predictable.
• If hydrogen-based fuel cells were put to use generating electricity on a small scale close to areas where electricity is needed, the burden on the current electric grid—the system that generates and distributes electricity—could be eased.
• If renewable energy is used to make hydrogen, fuel cells could provide a means of storing renewable electricity—something that cannot be done today.
• If communities and companies had the ability to generate their own electricity via small fuel cells using renewable energy to make hydrogen, they could fulfill their energy needs locally and would not have to depend as much on imported energy.
• Private companies that develop innovative technologies for using hydrogen as an alternative energy source have the potential to become highly profitable, world-class technology leaders.
• Developing nations that put hydrogen to work right away could leapfrog over the environmentally
destructive practices that have occurred in other countries.
• Reducing the use of petroleum could also reduce the environmental impacts of exploring for, producing, transporting, and refining petroleum, including the potential contamination of groundwater and surface water.
