Fuel Cells: Timing and limits to the transition to a hydrogen economy. Thomas J. Meyer. Strategic Research At LANL

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1 Fuel Cells: Timing and limits to the transition to a hydrogen economy Thomas J. Meyer SR-PRES_Fuel-cells_limits-to-Hydrogen.ppt 10/8/2003-1

CO 2 levels projected Energy Consumption by Fuel projected maximum levels 450-750 ppm in 15-20 years 50 Historical Projected Petroleum (Quadrillion Btu) 40 30 20 10 The intensity of carbon dioxide

2 CO 2 levels projected Energy Consumption by Fuel projected maximum levels ppm in years 50 Historical Projected Petroleum (Quadrillion Btu) The intensity of carbon dioxide production of energy sources Natural Gas Fossil Fuel Nuclear Renewable Energy (non-hydropower) 0 Hydropower Kg Carbon Dioxide/MWh(e) SR-PRES_Fuel-cells_limits-to-Hydrogen.ppt 10/8/2003-2

3 Energy and environment R&D portfolio at LANL LANL s research portfolio supports the world s need for increased efficiency and a diverse suite of energy sources. National Fuel Cell Resource H2 Storage Center Carbon Management CO 2 Sequestration Fossil Hydrogen, Fuel Cells Nuclear Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative GEN IV (SSTAR) Safeguards and security Yucca Mountain Repository Renewable Energy Climate - Environmental Energy Efficiency Biomass Ocean modeling Tropical Western Program High-Temperature Superconductivity Water for Energy Infrastructure modeling SR-PRES_Fuel-cells_limits-to-Hydrogen.ppt 10/8/2003-3

4 Why a Hydrogen Economy? Climate change and air quality. Greenhouse gas emissions must be slowed dramatically and soon Fossil fuels, although plentiful in supply, release carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), cause Greenhouse gases Global warming Ozone layer depletion Population and economic growth will increase demand on energy resources Need to reduce dependence on foreign resources A hydrogen energy system is integrated Production Delivery Storage Conversion End-use applications The earth s tolerance for CO 2 estimates are between ppm Current CO2 levels are approaching 380 ppm SR-PRES_Fuel-cells_limits-to-Hydrogen.ppt 10/8/2003-4

Hydrogen Solar Nuclear Fuel Cells Biomass Hydrogen and fuel cells are clean and efficient sources of energy, reducing

5 Why hydrogen and fuel cells? By the end of the 21 st Century, a broad energy portfolio will be needed to stabilize the concentration of greenhouse gases Hydrogen Solar Nuclear Fuel Cells Biomass Hydrogen and fuel cells are clean and efficient sources of energy, reducing dependencies on fossil fuels Currently, power in the U.S. is generated predominantly with fossil fuels causing greenhouse gases. auto.howstuffworks.com/hydrogen-economy1.htm SR-PRES_Fuel-cells_limits-to-Hydrogen.ppt 10/8/2003-5

Timing: Energy security by 2050 Business as usual will bring trouble ahead Global warming, Nuclear waste, Energy security Achieving energy security requires implementation of new energy sources and

6 Timing: Energy security by 2050 Business as usual will bring trouble ahead Global warming, Nuclear waste, Energy security Achieving energy security requires implementation of new energy sources and solutions that balance demand and environmental issues. Renewable Energy, Hydrogen, Nuclear, Carbon Sequestration become major players in the energy portfolio Kyoto Protocol goals are met; 160 countries commit to climate change actions Hydrogen is dominant for utility vehicles Energy requirements will double in the U.S. 65% of U.S. oil consumed is imported No foreign imports CO 2 goals are met Hydrogen is economically produced from renewable sources SR-PRES_Fuel-cells_limits-to-Hydrogen.ppt 10/8/2003-6

7 Hydrogen technical issues Key technical barriers Domestic production Delivery and distribution Storage Utilization: next generation of fuel cell technology, conversion of vehicles to receive hydrogen as a fuel Safety, codes and standards, and environmental impacts Economic barriers Production cost-prohibitive Total capital infrastructure (national network of stations, distribution points) by 2100 will require major investments Generating hydrogen economically from renewable sources Technology focus areas Catalysis Separations Interfacial chemistry and materials Polymer and materials chemistry Theory and modeling SR-PRES_Fuel-cells_limits-to-Hydrogen.ppt 10/8/2003-7

Hydrogen sources Hydrogen is separated from water, organic matter, fossil materials using Steam Reformers Partial Oxidation Electrolytic processing Future production from

gov/l Although today most hydrogen is produced from fossil materials, such as from natural gas at this oil refinery, DOE is exploring a variety of ways to produce hydrogen

8 Hydrogen sources Hydrogen is separated from water, organic matter, fossil materials using Steam Reformers Partial Oxidation Electrolytic processing Future production from water and renewable sources using Thermochemical Partial Oxidation/Ceramic Membrane Reactor Pyrolysis Photolytic Nuclear Credit: Although today most hydrogen is produced from fossil materials, such as from natural gas at this oil refinery, DOE is exploring a variety of ways to produce hydrogen from renewable resources. Credit: Light shining on a photoelectrochemical cell immersed in water produces bubbles of hydrogen and oxygen. SR-PRES_Fuel-cells_limits-to-Hydrogen.ppt 10/8/2003-8

Storing hydrogen Hydrogen can be stored as a liquid or a gas. Liquid hydrogen must be cooled to -423 F requiring more energy to maintain. Limitation: To cool one pound (0.

9 Storing hydrogen Hydrogen can be stored as a liquid or a gas. Liquid hydrogen must be cooled to -423 F requiring more energy to maintain. Limitation: To cool one pound (0.45 kg) of hydrogen requires 5 kwh of electrical energy. Gas hydrogen uses less energy, but must be pressurized. Limitation: Large-scale use would require large caverns, gas fields, or mines then pumped to the source, making this an expensive option for transportation. Compressed Hydrogen Storage Tanks (Dynetek tanks) Hydrides are potentially a more efficient method for storage. Limitation: workable compounds are needed and focus of current research SR-PRES_Fuel-cells_limits-to-Hydrogen.ppt 10/8/2003-9

The growing role of hydrogen and fuels cells Fuel cells can use hydrogen to produce useful energy without combustion but by chemical reaction Electrolysis is reversed

Hydrogen + Oxygen Water + Electricity Most fuel cell research focuses on advancing polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems, with emphasis in areas of Fuel

10 The growing role of hydrogen and fuels cells Fuel cells can use hydrogen to produce useful energy without combustion but by chemical reaction Electrolysis is reversed by combining hydrogen and oxygen through an electrochemical process, which produces electricity, heat, and water. Hydrogen + Oxygen Water + Electricity Most fuel cell research focuses on advancing polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems, with emphasis in areas of Fuel processing (reforming) technologies Improved catalyst and membrane designs Improved air, thermal, and water management systems H 2 H + Electrolyte e - LO AD e- O 2 H 2 O SR-PRES_Fuel-cells_limits-to-Hydrogen.ppt 10/8/

11 Limitations of fuel cells Limitations and technical challenges Cost Low demand inhibits production efficiencies Proven durability Fuel infrastructure Hydrogen storage System miniaturization Fuels and fuel packaging SR-PRES_Fuel-cells_limits-to-Hydrogen.ppt 10/8/

Large Scale Hydrogen Production Using Nuclear Energy

Large Scale Hydrogen Production Using Nuclear Energy William A. Summers Program Manager Energy Security Department Savannah River National Laboratory Third International Hydrail Conference Salisbury, North