scholarly journals Clean energy and the hydrogen economy

2017 ◽  
Vol 375 (2098) ◽  
pp. 20160400 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. P. Brandon ◽  
Z. Kurban
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Hydrogen Fuel Cell ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Hydrogen Economy ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Industrial Sectors

In recent years, new-found interest in the hydrogen economy from both industry and academia has helped to shed light on its potential. Hydrogen can enable an energy revolution by providing much needed flexibility in renewable energy systems. As a clean energy carrier, hydrogen offers a range of benefits for simultaneously decarbonizing the transport, residential, commercial and industrial sectors. Hydrogen is shown here to have synergies with other low-carbon alternatives, and can enable a more cost-effective transition to de-carbonized and cleaner energy systems. This paper presents the opportunities for the use of hydrogen in key sectors of the economy and identifies the benefits and challenges within the hydrogen supply chain for power-to-gas, power-to-power and gas-to-gas supply pathways. While industry players have already started the market introduction of hydrogen fuel cell systems, including fuel cell electric vehicles and micro-combined heat and power devices, the use of hydrogen at grid scale requires the challenges of clean hydrogen production, bulk storage and distribution to be resolved. Ultimately, greater government support, in partnership with industry and academia, is still needed to realize hydrogen's potential across all economic sectors. This article is part of the themed issue ‘The challenges of hydrogen and metals’.

scholarly journals OH− and H3O+ Diffusion in Model AEMs and PEMs at Low Hydration: Insights from Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics

Membranes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 355
Author(s):  
Tamar Zelovich ◽  
Mark E. Tuckerman
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Ab Initio ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Anion Exchange Membranes ◽  
Diffusion Mechanisms ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

Fuel cell-based anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) and proton exchange membranes (PEMs) are considered to have great potential as cost-effective, clean energy conversion devices. However, a fundamental atomistic understanding of the hydroxide and hydronium diffusion mechanisms in the AEM and PEM environment is an ongoing challenge. In this work, we aim to identify the fundamental atomistic steps governing hydroxide and hydronium transport phenomena. The motivation of this work lies in the fact that elucidating the key design differences between the hydroxide and hydronium diffusion mechanisms will play an important role in the discovery and determination of key design principles for the synthesis of new membrane materials with high ion conductivity for use in emerging fuel cell technologies. To this end, ab initio molecular dynamics simulations are presented to explore hydroxide and hydronium ion solvation complexes and diffusion mechanisms in the model AEM and PEM systems at low hydration in confined environments. We find that hydroxide diffusion in AEMs is mostly vehicular, while hydronium diffusion in model PEMs is structural. Furthermore, we find that the region between each pair of cations in AEMs creates a bottleneck for hydroxide diffusion, leading to a suppression of diffusivity, while the anions in PEMs become active participants in the hydronium diffusion, suggesting that the presence of the anions in model PEMs could potentially promote hydronium diffusion.

scholarly journals Prospects of Integrated Photovoltaic-Fuel Cell Systems in a Hydrogen Economy: A Comprehensive Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chukwuma Ogbonnaya ◽  
Chamil Abeykoon ◽  
Adel Nasser ◽  
Ali Turan ◽  
Cyril Sunday Ume
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Research And Development ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Hydrogen Economy ◽  
Solar Hydrogen ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Agricultural Applications ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Grid Applications

Integrated photovoltaic-fuel cell (IPVFC) systems, amongst other integrated energy generation methodologies are renewable and clean energy technologies that have received diverse research and development attentions over the last few decades due to their potential applications in a hydrogen economy. This article systematically updates the state-of-the-art of IPVFC systems and provides critical insights into the research and development gaps needed to be filled/addressed to advance these systems towards full commercialisation. The design methodologies, renewable energy-based microgrid and off-grid applications, energy management strategies, optimisations and the prospects as self-sustaining power source were covered. IPVFC systems could play an important role in the upcoming hydrogen economy since they depend on solar hydrogen which has almost zero emissions during operation. Highlighted herein are the progresses as well as the technical challenges requiring research efforts to solve to realise numerous potential applications of IPVFC systems such as in unmanned aerial vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, agricultural applications, telecommunications, desalination, synthesis of ammonia, boats, buildings, and distributed microgrid applications.

scholarly journals The hydrogen economy and jobs of the future

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger H. Bezdek
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Hydrogen Fuel Cell ◽  
Hydrogen Fuel ◽  
Hydrogen Economy ◽  
Employment Opportunities ◽  
Training Requirements ◽  
University Degree ◽  
And Training ◽  
New Jobs

Growth in the hydrogen and fuel cell industries will lead to vast new employment opportunities, and these will be created in a wide variety of industries, skills, tasks, and earnings. Many of these jobs do not currently exist and do not have occupational titles defined in official classifications. In addition, many of these jobs require different skills and education than current jobs, and training requirements must be assessed so that this rapidly growing part of the economy has a sufficient supply of trained and qualified workers. We discuss the current hydrogen economy and technologies. We then identify by occupational titles the new jobs that will be created in the expanding hydrogen/fuel cell economy, estimate the average US salary for each job, identify the minimum educational attainment required to gain entry into that occupation, and specify the recommended university degree for the advanced educational requirements. We provide recommendations for further research.

Advanced Hydrogen Fuel Systems for Fuel Cell Vehicles

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andris R. Abele
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Hydrogen Storage ◽  
Storage System ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Fuel Cell Vehicles ◽  
Hydrogen Fuel Cell ◽  
Hydrogen Fuel ◽  
Engineered Systems ◽  
On The Road ◽  
Safety Features

On-board storage and handling of hydrogen continues to be a major challenge on the road to the widespread commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. QUANTUM Fuel Systems Technologies WorldWide, Inc. (QUANTUM) is developing a number of advanced technologies in response to the demand by its customers for compact, lightweight, safe, robust, and cost-effective hydrogen fuel systems. QUANTUM approaches hydrogen storage and handling as an engineered system integrated into the design of the vehicle. These engineered systems comprise advanced storage, regulation, metering, and electronic controls developed by QUANTUM. In 2001, QUANTUM validated, commercialized, and began production of lightweight compressed hydrogen storage systems. The first commercial products include storage technologies that achieved 7.5 to 8.5 percent hydrogen storage by weight at 350 bar (5,000 psi). QUANTUM has also received German TUV regulatory approval for its 700 bar (10,000-psi) TriShield10™ hydrogen storage cylinder, based on hydrogen standards developed by the European Integrated Hydrogen Project (EIHP). QUANTUM has patented an In-Tank Regulator for use with hydrogen and CNG, which have applications in both fuel cell and alternative fuel vehicle markets. To supplement the inherent safety features designed into the new 700 bar storage tank, QUANTUM’s patented 700 bar In-Tank Regulator provides additional safety by confining the high pressure in the tank and allowing only a maximum delivery pressure of 10 bar (150-psi) outside the storage system. This paper describes initial applications for these hydrogen fuel systems, which have included fuel cell automobiles, buses, and hydrogen refueling stations.

scholarly journals Prospects and Challenges of Green Hydrogen Economy via Multi-Sector Global Symbiosis in Qatar

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fadwa Eljack ◽  
Monzure-Khoda Kazi
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Great Opportunity ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
Hydrogen Supply ◽  
Hydrogen Supply Chain ◽  
Infrastructure Investments

Low carbon hydrogen can be an excellent source of clean energy, which can combat global climate change and poor air quality. Hydrogen based economy can be a great opportunity for a country like Qatar to decarbonize its multiple sectors including transportation, shipping, global energy markets, and industrial sectors. However, there are still some barriers to the realization of a hydrogen-based economy, which includes large scale hydrogen production cost, infrastructure investments, bulk storage, transport & distribution, safety consideration, and matching supply-demand uncertainties. This paper highlights how the aforementioned challenges can be handled strategically through a multi-sector industrial-urban symbiosis for the hydrogen supply chain implementation. Such symbiosis can enhance the mutual relationship between diverse industries and urban planning by exploring varied scopes of multi-purpose hydrogen usage (i.e., clean energy source as a safer carrier, industrial feedstock and intermittent products, vehicle and shipping fuel, and international energy trading, etc.) both in local and international markets. It enables individual entities and businesses to participate in the physical exchange of materials, by-products, energy, and water, with strategic advantages for all participants. Besides, waste/by-product exchanges, several different kinds of synergies are also possible, such as the sharing of resources and shared facilities. The diversified economic base, regional proximity and the facilitation of rules, strategies and policies may be the key drivers that support the creation of a multi-sector hydrogen supply chain in Qatar.

scholarly journals Performance assessment of integrated energy systems for the production of renewable hydrogen energy carriers

2020 ◽  
Vol 197 ◽  
pp. 01007
Author(s):  
Francesco Lonis ◽  
Vittorio Tola ◽  
Giorgio Cau
Keyword(s):  
Energy Systems ◽  
Smooth Transition ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Hydrogen Energy ◽  
Catalytic Reactor ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Integrated Energy Systems ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
Renewable Hydrogen

To guarantee a smooth transition to a clean and low-carbon society without abandoning all of a sudden liquid fuels and products derived from fossil resources, power-to-liquids processes can be used to exploit an excess of renewable energy, producing methanol and dimethyl ether (DME) from the conversion of hydrogen and recycled CO2. Such a system could behave as an energy storage system, and/or a source of fuels and chemicals for a variety of applications in several industrial sectors. This paper concerns the conceptual design, performance analysis and comparison of small-scale decentralised integrated energy systems to produce methanol and DME from renewable hydrogen and captured CO2. Renewable hydrogen is produced exploiting excess RES. Water electrolysis is carried out considering two different technologies alternatively: commercially mature low temperature alkaline electrolysers (AEL) and innovative high temperature solid oxide electrolysers (SOEC). A first conversion of hydrogen and CO2 takes place in a catalytic reactor where methanol is synthesised through the hydrogenation process. Methanol is then purified in a distillation column. Depending on the final application, methanol can be further converted into DME through catalytic dehydration in another catalytic reactor. The chemical (either methanol or DME) is stored at ambient conditions and used as necessary. To predict the performance of the main components and of the overall system, numerical simulation models were developed using the software Aspen Plus. The performance and efficiencies of each section and of the overall systems were evaluated through extensive mass and energy balances. Globally, the overall power-to-liquids efficiency was found to be above 0.55 for all the different configurations, both considering a powerto-methanol or a power-to-DME process.

Transitioning Towards a Low-Carbon Hydrogen Economy in the United States

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 37-55
Author(s):  
Jacqueline C. K. Lam ◽  
Peter Hills ◽  
Esther C. T. Wong
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
The United States ◽  
Transport Systems ◽  
Transition Management ◽  
Hydrogen Fuel Cell ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Hydrogen Economy ◽  
Key Characteristics ◽  
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles

This paper describes the process of transitioning to a low-carbon hydrogen economy in the United States and the role of transition management (TM) in this process. Focusing on the transition process for hydrogen-based energy and transport systems in the United States, especially California, this study outlines the key characteristics of TM that have been employed in managing the transition. Several characteristics of TM have been noted in the United States’ hydrogen transition, including: (a) the complementarity of the long-term vision with incremental targets, (b) the integration of top-down and bottom-up planning, (c) system innovations and gradualism, (d) multi-level approaches and interconnectedness, and (e) reflexivity by learning and experimenting. These characteristics are instrumental in bringing about the development and initial commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and related energy infrastructure in the United States.

scholarly journals Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology for the Sustainable Future of Stationary Applications

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (23) ◽  
pp. 4593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raluca-Andreea Felseghi ◽  
Elena Carcadea ◽  
Maria Simona Raboaca ◽  
Cătălin Nicolae TRUFIN ◽  
Constantin Filote
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Maximum Efficiency ◽  
Hydrogen Energy ◽  
Hydrogen Fuel Cell ◽  
Hydrogen Fuel ◽  
Cell Technology ◽  
Fuel Cell Technology

The climate changes that are becoming visible today are a challenge for the global research community. The stationary applications sector is one of the most important energy consumers. Harnessing the potential of renewable energy worldwide is currently being considered to find alternatives for obtaining energy by using technologies that offer maximum efficiency and minimum pollution. In this context, new energy generation technologies are needed to both generate low carbon emissions, as well as identifying, planning and implementing the directions for harnessing the potential of renewable energy sources. Hydrogen fuel cell technology represents one of the alternative solutions for future clean energy systems. This article reviews the specific characteristics of hydrogen energy, which recommends it as a clean energy to power stationary applications. The aim of review was to provide an overview of the sustainability elements and the potential of using hydrogen as an alternative energy source for stationary applications, and for identifying the possibilities of increasing the share of hydrogen energy in stationary applications, respectively. As a study method was applied a SWOT analysis, following which a series of strategies that could be adopted in order to increase the degree of use of hydrogen energy as an alternative to the classical energy for stationary applications were recommended. The SWOT analysis conducted in the present study highlights that the implementation of the hydrogen economy depends decisively on the following main factors: legislative framework, energy decision makers, information and interest from the end beneficiaries, potential investors, and existence of specialists in this field.

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