Ecofuels Canada: Fueling Change

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Blended Refueling

Hydrogen receives a lot of attention, and is often promoted as the 'clean energy of tomorrow.' Like electricity, hydrogen is effectively a zero-emission energy carrier.

energy carrier
Hydrogen is a form of secondary energy, or an energy carrier, which must first be produced using a traditional energy source.

Hydrogen
Method	Description	Pros	Cons
Steam Reformation	High-Temperature steam is used to produce hydrogen from natural gas, other hydrocarbons or liquid biomass	Infrastructure exists (95% of hydrogen in US is produced this way) Leve	Greenhouse gas reduction is minimal
Water Electrolysis	Electricity is used to split water into Hydrogen and Oxygen	Can be potentially combined with renewable electricity to produce zero-emission hydrogen	Process efficiency is lowMethod benefits depend on electrical source
Coal Gasification Biomass Gasification	Coal (or Biomass) is converted into a gaseous mixture of H2, CO, CO2 and other compounds (syngas) by applying heat under pressure in the presence of steam and oxygen	CO2 can be separated and stored Could be used to generate H2 and electricity simultaneously Most appropriate for large scale Coal is abundant, cheap & domestic	Significant GHGs unless carbon capture and storage techniques are employedBiomass: mono-culture susceptibility; petrochemical use?
High-Temperature Thermo-chemical Water splitting	500-2000˚C heat drives a series of chemical reactions that produce Hydrogen – only water is consumed in net reaction.	Near zero GHGs (with solar or nuclear).	Feasibility must be demonstrated
Photo- Biological Photo- electrochemical	Hydrogen is produced from water using sunlight and specialized microorganisms (green algae and cyanbacteria) or semiconductors	Long term potential Low environmental impact	Additional research required

profile
SHEC Labs is a Canadian company on a mission to provide the world with an inexhaustible source of clean, renewable energy by harvesting the energy of the sun to produce an economically viable source of hydrogen. Click here for a technical explanation.

fuel cells
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts the chemical energy of a fuel, such as hydrogen, and an oxidant, such as oxygen, directly into electricity. Fuel cells are like an internal combustion engine in that they require a continuous flow of fuel, but like a battery in that they produce electricity from the flow of electrons between two electrodes.

There are at least 18 different types of fuel cells. The most commonly known is the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC), which has several advantages making it suitable for transportation. Fuel cells may also become a key technology for the stationary production of electricity. Fuel cells still face several challenges to overcome before they will be commercially viable.

benefits
Fuel cells combine hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity, water and heat, at a higher conversion efficiency than an internal combustion engine. Since hydrogen fuel cell vehicles produce zero-emissions, many proponents argue that they are inevitable.

challenges

Storage: Onboard hydrogen storage technologies are still developing. There are a number of competing technologies, including compressed hydrogen and metal hydrides.
Chicken & Egg: The refueling infrastructure required for widespread vehicle use will require massive investment. Though niche markets are beginning to emerge, and incremental growth seems likely.
Production Cost: Fuel cell production costs remain high.
Cost of Clean Hydrogen Production: Though there are many ways to convert hydrogen, cost efficiency and emissions are directly correlated.

internal combustion
Any internal combustion engine can be converted to run on Hydrogen. There are some modifications to fuel storage and delivery systems required, and some operative challenges, including combustive property differences. It is possible, however, to convert any vehicle to be powered, or partially powered, by hydrogen. Please see: www.ihsresearch.com, www.dynetek.com

applications
California Hydrogen Highway
Canada’s Hydrogen Highway
Fuel Cell Today
Shell Hydrogen
BP Hydrogen Strategy

resources

Governmental Agencies
DoD Fuel Cell Demonstration Project
DOE Office of Advanced Automotive Technologies
Fuel Cells Canada
Natural Resources Canada
National Fuel Cell Research and Innovation Initiative
National Fuel Cell Research Center
US Fuel Cell Council

Industry Trade Associations
American Hydrogen Association
International Associaiton of Hydrogen Energy
National Hydrogen Association
International Energy Agency
Cailfornia Fuel Cell Partnership
California Hydrogen Business Council
Canadian Hydrogen Association
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Group

Educational Organizations / Informational Resources
Hydrogen Energy Center
Hydrogen Learning Center
The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Institute
Hydrogen Information Network
Hyweb
Hydrogen Now
Fuel Cells 2000
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Letter
Calstart