Transitions to alternative transportation technologies : a focus on hydrogen

142 Pages·2008·6.59 MB·English

by  National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Assessment of Resource Needs for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technologies

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Transitions to Alternative Transportation

Technologies--A Focus on Hydrogen

Committee on Assessment of Resource Needs for Fuel

Cell and Hydrogen Technologies, National Research
Council

ISBN: 0-309-12101-9, 142 pages, 8.5 X 11, (2008)

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Transitions to Alternative Transportation Technologies--A Focus on Hydrogen
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12222.html
TRANSITIONS TO ALTERNATIVE
TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGIES
—
A FOCUS ON HYDROGEN
Committee on Assessment of Resource Needs for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technologies
Board on Energy and Environmental Systems
Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences
Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Transitions to Alternative Transportation Technologies--A Focus on Hydrogen
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12222.html
The NaTioNal academies Press • 500 Fifth street, N.W. • Washington, dc 20001
NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the
National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy
of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of
the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard
for appropriate balance.
This study was supported by Contract DE-AT01-06EE11206, TO#18, Subtask 3 between the National
Academy of Sciences and the U.S. Department of Energy. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or
recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect
the views of the organizations or agencies that provided support for the project.
Cover: Photos of a fuel cell vehicle and hydrogen fueling station courtesy of the U.S. Department
of Energy.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Assessment of Resource Needs for Fuel Cell and
Hydrogen Technologies.
Transitions to alternative transportation technologies : a focus on hydrogen / Committee on
Assessment of Resource Needs for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technologies, Board on Energy and
Environmental Systems, Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-0-309-12100-2 (pbk.) — ISBN 978-0-309-12101-9 (pdf) 1. Fuel cell vehicles—
Research—Government policy—United States. 2. Hydrogen as fuel—Research—Government
policy—United States. I. Title.
TL221.13.N38 2008
629.22′9—dc22
2008036579
Available in limited supply from: Additional copies for sale from:
Board on Energy and Environmental Systems The National Academies Press
National Research Council 500 Fifth Street, N.W.
500 Fifth Street, N.W. Lockbox 285
Keck W934 Washington, DC 20055
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Copyright 2008 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America
Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Transitions to Alternative Transportation Technologies--A Focus on Hydrogen
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12222.html
The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distinguished
scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and
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the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government
on scientific and technical matters. Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone is president of the National Academy of
Sciences.
The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the National
Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its
administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences
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and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. Charles M. Vest is president of the
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Fineberg is president of the Institute of Medicine.
The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to
associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy’s purposes of furthering
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Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Transitions to Alternative Transportation Technologies--A Focus on Hydrogen
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12222.html
Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Transitions to Alternative Transportation Technologies--A Focus on Hydrogen
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12222.html
commiTTee oN assessmeNT oF resoUrce Needs For FUel cell aNd
hYdroGeN TechNoloGies
MICHAEL P. RAMAGE, NAE,1 ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company (re-
tired), Chair
RAKESH AGRAWAL, NAE, Purdue University
DAVID L. BODDE, Clemson University
DAVID FRIEDMAN, Union of Concerned Scientists
SUSAN FUHS, Conundrum Consulting
JUDI GREENWALD, Pew Center on Global Climate Change
ROBERT L. HIRSCH, Management Information Services, Inc.
JAMES R. KATZER, NAE, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
GENE NEMANICH, ChevronTexaco Technology Ventures (retired)
JOAN OGDEN, University of California, Davis
LAWRENCE T. PAPAY, NAE, Science Applications International Corporation (retired)
IAN W.H. PARRY, Resources for the Future
WILLIAM F. POWERS, NAE, Ford Motor Company (retired)
EDWARD S. RUBIN, Carnegie Mellon University
ROBERT W. SHAW, JR. Aretê Corporation
ARNOLD F. STANCELL, NAE, Georgia Institute of Technology
TONY WU, Southern Company
Staff
Board on Energy and Environmental Systems
ALAN CRANE, Study Director
MATT BOWEN, Senior Program Associate
DUNCAN BROWN, Senior Program Officer
JAMES ZUCCHETTO, Director, BEES
National Academy of Engineering Program Office
PENELOPE GIBBS, Senior Program Associate
1NAE, National Academy of Engineering.
v
Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Transitions to Alternative Transportation Technologies--A Focus on Hydrogen
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12222.html
Board oN eNerGY aNd eNViroNmeNTal sYsTems
DOUGLAS M. CHAPIN, Chair, NAE,1 MPR Associates, Inc., Alexandria, Virginia
ROBERT W. FRI, Vice Chair, Resources for the Future (senior fellow emeritus),
Washington, D.C.
RAKESH AGRAWAL, NAE, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
ALLEN J. BARD, NAS,2 University of Texas, Austin
ANDREW BROWN, JR., NAE, Delphi Corporation, Troy, Michigan
MARILYN BROWN, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta
PHILIP R. CLARK, NAE, GPU Nuclear Corporation (retired), Boonton, New Jersey (term
ended July 31, 2007)
MICHAEL L. CORRADINI, NAE, University of Wisconsin, Madison
PAUL DECOTIS, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Albany
E. LINN DRAPER, JR., NAE, American Electric Power, Inc. (emeritus), Austin, Texas
CHARLES H. GOODMAN, Southern Company (retired), Birmingham, Alabama
DAVID G. HAWKINS, Natural Resources Defense Council, Washington, D.C.
NARAIN G. HINGORANI, NAE, Consultant, Los Altos Hills, California
JAMES J. MARKOWSKY, NAE, Consultant, North Falmouth, Massachusetts
DAVID K. OWENS, Edison Electric Institute, Washington, D.C.
WILLIAM F. POWERS, NAE, Ford Motor Company (retired), Ann Arbor, Michigan
TONY PROPHET, Carrier Corporation, Farmington, Connecticut (term ended July 31,
2007)
MICHAEL P. RAMAGE, NAE, ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company (retired),
Moorestown, New Jersey
DAN REICHER, Google.org, San Francisco, California
MAXINE SAVITZ, NAE, Honeywell, Inc. (retired), Los Angeles, California
PHILIP R. SHARP, Resources for the Future, Washington, D.C. (term ended July 31,
2007)
SCOTT W. TINKER, University of Texas, Austin
Staff
JAMES ZUCCHETTO, Director
KATHERINE BITTNER, Senior Project Assistant
MATT BOWEN, Senior Program Associate (until November 2007)
DUNCAN BROWN, Senior Program Officer
JENNIFER BUTLER, Financial Assistant (until December 2007)
DANA CAINES, Financial Associate
SARAH CASE, Associate Program Officer
ALAN CRANE, Senior Program Officer
PANOLA GOLSON, Program Associate (until May 2007)
JOHN HOLMES, Senior Program Officer
LANITA JONES, Program Associate
MARTIN OFFUTT, Senior Program Officer (until April 2007)
MADELINE WOODRUFF, Senior Program Officer
JONATHAN YANGER, Senior Project Assistant
1NAE, National Academy of Engineering.
2NAS, National Academy of Sciences.
vi
Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Transitions to Alternative Transportation Technologies--A Focus on Hydrogen
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12222.html
Preface
Hydrogen is a potential replacement fuel for gasoline in This report estimates the resources that will be needed to
light-duty vehicles. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles could allevi- bring hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to the point of competitive
ate the nation’s dependence on oil and reduce U.S. emissions self-sustainability in the marketplace. It also estimates the
of carbon dioxide, the major greenhouse gas. impact on oil consumption and carbon dioxide emissions as
Industry- and government-sponsored research programs fuel cell vehicles become a large fraction of the light-duty
have made very impressive technical progress over the past vehicle fleet. The study was requested by the U.S. Congress
several years, and several companies are currently introduc- in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and contracted for by the
ing pre-commercial vehicles and hydrogen fueling stations U.S. Department of Energy.
in limited markets. The introduction of fuel cell vehicles I greatly appreciate the efforts made by the many highly
into the light-duty vehicle fleet is much closer to reality than qualified experts on the committee. The committee operated
when the National Research Council (NRC) last examined under the auspices of the NRC Board on Energy and Envi-
the technology in 2004. ronmental Systems and is grateful for the able assistance
However, to achieve wide hydrogen vehicle penetration, of James Zucchetto, Alan Crane, and Duncan Brown of the
further technological advances are required for commercial NRC staff, and of Penelope Gibbs of the National Academy
viability, and vehicle manufacturer and hydrogen supplier of Engineering Program Office staff.
activities must be coordinated. In particular, costs must be
reduced, new automotive manufacturing technologies com-
mercialized, and adequate supplies of hydrogen produced Michael P. Ramage, Chair
and made available to motorists. These efforts will require Committee on Assessment of Resource Needs
considerable resources, especially federal and private sector for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technologies
funding.
vii
Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Transitions to Alternative Transportation Technologies--A Focus on Hydrogen
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12222.html
Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Transitions to Alternative Transportation Technologies--A Focus on Hydrogen
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12222.html
acknowledgments
The Committee on Assessment of Resource Needs for This report was reviewed in draft form by individuals
Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technologies is grateful to the chosen for their diverse perspectives and technical exper-
many individuals who contributed their time and efforts tise, in accordance with procedures approved by the NRC’s
to this National Academies’ National Research Council Report Review Committee. The purpose of the independent
(NRC) study. The presentations at committee meetings pro- review is to provide candid and critical comments that will
vided valuable information and insights that enhanced the assist the institution in making its published report as sound
committee’s understanding of the technologies and barriers as possible and to ensure that the report meets institutional
involved. The committee thanks the following individuals standards for objectivity, evidence, and responsiveness to the
who provided briefings: study charge. The review comments and draft manuscript
remain confidential to protect the integrity of the deliberative
Phillip Baxley, Shell Hydrogen LLC process. We wish to thank the following individuals for their
Jon Bereisa, General Motors Corporation review of this report:
K.G. Duleep, ICF
Catherine Dunwoody, California Fuel Cell Partnership Allen J. Bard (NAS), University of Texas, Austin
Kelly Fletcher, GE Research Phillip Baxley, Shell Hydrogen LLC
David Greene, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Deborah Bleviss, Consultant
Sig Gronich, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Andrew Brown, Jr. (NAE), Delphi Corporation
Knut Harg, Norsk-Hydro Douglas Chapin (NAE), MPR Associates, Inc.
Richard Hess, Idaho National Laboratory Robert Epperly, Consultant
Brian James, Directed Technologies, Inc. Paul Gilbert (NAE), Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc. (retired)
Bryan Jenkins, University of California, Davis Trevor Jones (NAE), ElectroSonics Medical, Inc.
Timothy Johnson, Environmental Protection Agency Vernon P. Roan, University of Florida (emeritus)
Fred Joseck, U.S. DOE James Sweeney, Stanford University
Arthur Katsaros, Air Products G. David Tilman (NAS), University of Minnesota.
Taiyo Kawai, Toyota Motor Company
Ben Knight, Honda Motor Corporation Although the reviewers listed above have provided many
Johanna Levene, National Renewable Energy Laboratory constructive comments and suggestions, they were not asked
Margaret Mann, National Renewable Energy Laboratory to endorse the conclusions or recommendations, nor did they
Fred Maples, Energy Information Administration see the final draft of the report before its release. The review
Lowell Miller, U.S. DOE of this report was overseen by Elisabeth M. Drake, Massa-
JoAnn Milliken, U.S. DOE chusetts Institute of Technology, and Maxine L. Savitz, Hon-
Joan Ogden, University of California, Davis eywell, Inc. (retired). Appointed by the National Research
Mark Paster, U.S. DOE Council, they were responsible for making certain that an
Steve Plotkin, Argonne National Laboratory independent examination of this report was carried out in
Dan Rastler, Electric Power Research Institute accordance with institutional procedures and that all review
Bill Reinert, Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. comments were carefully considered. Responsibility for the
Robert Rose, U.S. Fuel Cell Council final content of this report rests entirely with the authoring
Robert W. Shaw, Aretê Corporation committee and the institution.
Frances Wood, On Location, Inc.
ix
Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.