Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology
Importance of Hydrogen
Fuel Cells require highly purified hydrogen as a fuel Researchers are developing a wide range of technologies to produce hydrogen economically from a variety of resources in environmentally friendly ways
Importance of Hydrogen
Hydrogen is a secondary energy resource, meaning it must be made from another fuel Hydrogen can be produced from a wide variety of energy resources including:
Fossil fuels, such as natural gas and coal Nuclear energy Renewable resources, such as solar,water, wind and biomass
Hydrogen Production
The biggest challenge regarding hydrogen production is the cost Reducing the cost of hydrogen production so as to compete in the transportation sector with conventional fuels on a per-mile basis is a significant hurdle to Fuel Cells success in the commercial marketplace
Hydrogen Production
There are three general categories of Hydrogen production
Thermal Processes Electrolyte Processes Photolytic Processes
Hydrogen Production
Thermal Processes
Natural Gas Reforming Gasification Renewable Liquid Reforming
Hydrogen Production
Natural Gas Reforming
Steam Methane Reforming
Hydrogen is produced from methane in natural gas using high-temperature steam Methane reacts with the steam in presence of a catalyst to produce hydrogen This process accounts for about 95% of the hydrogen used today in the U.S.
Partial oxidation
Produces hydrogen by burning methane in air
Hydrogen Production
Gasification
Process in which coal or biomass is converted into gaseous components by applying heat under pressure and in the presence of steam A subsequent series of chemical reactions produces a synthesis gas which reacts with steam to produce more hydrogen that can be separated
Hydrogen Production
Renewable Liquid Reforming
Biomass is processed to make renewable liquid fuels, such as ethanol or bio-oil, that are then reacted with high-temperature steam to produce hydrogen This process is very similar to reforming natural gas
Hydrogen Production
Electrolytic Processes
Electrolytic processes use an electric current to split water into hydrogen and oxygen The electricity required can be generated by using renewable energy technologies such as wind, solar, geothermal and hydroelectric power
Hydrogen Production
Photolytic Processes
Uses light energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen These processes are in the very early stages of research but offer the possibility of hydrogen production which is cost effective and has a low environmental impact
Hydrogen Production
Auto manufacturers have worked on developing technology that would allow fuel cell cars to continue using gasoline A reformer on the fuel cell car would convert the gasoline to hydrogen onboard the automobile Funding for this technology has been pulled due to unsatisfactory efficiency
Legal Environment
Legal Environment
Current Law
Federal and State
Incentives
Federal and State
Proposed Legislation
Federal
Legal Environment
Norms
Architecture
Technology
Law
Market
I.
In some instances, the funds must still be appropriated through a separate federal budgeting process
The authorized funding listed indicates ceiling amounts that federal agencies may request for the defined activity $1.3 billion tax reductions for alternative motor vehicles and fuels (hydrogen, ethanol, methane, liquified natural gas, propane)
Programs Connected with Fuel Cells EPAct 703: Alternative Compliance for State and Alternative Fuel Provider Fleets
Requires certain fleets to acquire a percentage of AFVs each year New section provides for waiver of AFV acquisition if a petroleum reduction plan is implemented; fuel cell vehicles could help
Fleet must demonstrate an annual petroleum reduction equal to the amount of petroleum it would have reduced if the fleets required AFVs acquired in earlier years and other AFVs for which a waiver is requested operated on alternative fuel 100% of the time
Programs Connected with Fuel Cells EPAct 721-723: Advanced Vehicles Demonstration and Pilot Program
Establishes a competitive grant program, administered by Clean Cities, to fund up to 30 geographically dispersed advanced vehicle demonstration projects. EPAct 2005 authorizes $200 million (until expended) for this program.
Programs Connected with Fuel Cells EPAct 743: Fuel Cell School Buses
Establishes a DOE demonstration program involving fuel cell school bus manufacturers and at least two units of local government currently using natural gas school buses. The non-federal cost share will be at least 20% of infrastructure and 50% of vehicles. EPAct 2005 authorizes $25 million for fiscal years 2006-2009.
Programs Connected with Fuel Cells EPAct 773: Study of Reducing Use of Fuel for Automobiles
Regarding hydrogen fuel cell technologies, NAS noted their steady stream of progress and their promise for providing improved fuel economy and reduced emissions. However, such vehicles continue to face significant technological, economic, and fueling infrastructure barriers
Viewed as long-range breakthrough technology
Programs Connected with Fuel Cells EPAct 782: Federal and State Procurement of Fuel Cell Vehicles and Hydrogen Energy Systems
Requires federal fleets to begin leasing or purchasing fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen energy systems no later than January 1, 2010
DOE shall provide incremental cost funding and exemptions if the vehicles are not available or appropriate for fleet needs EPAct 2005 authorizes $15 million 2008, $25 million in 2009, $65 million in 2010, and such sums as are necessary each year in 2011-2015
EPAct 1341: Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit and Fuel Cell Motor Vehicle Credit
AMV tax credit equals 50% of the incremental cost of AFV (fuel cell included), plus an additional 30% of the incremental cost for AFVs with near-zero emissions
Purchasers can receive up to a $40,000 credit depending on GVWR Typical passenger vehicles can receive up to $5000 credit
Programs Connected with Fuel Cells EPAct 1341: Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit and Fuel Cell Motor Vehicle Credit
FCMV credit provides a base tax credit of $8,000 for the purchase of light-duty fuel cell vehicles (< 8,501 lb GVWR). The $8,000 credit is valid until December 31, 2009. After that, the credit is $4,000
Also available for medium and heavy-duty fuel cell vehicles For tax-exempt purchasers, credit can be passed back to seller
Programs Connected with Fuel Cells EPAct 1825: Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technology Study
Directs DOE to enter into contract with the NAS and National Research Council to carry out a study that provides a budget roadmap for fuel cell technologies
and the transition from petroleum to hydrogen in a significant percentage of vehicles sold by 2020
Programs Connected with Fuel Cells 783 Federal Procurement of Stationary, Portable, and Micro Fuel Cells
to stimulate acceptance by the market of stationary, portable, and micro fuel cells; and to support development of technologies relating to stationary, portable, and micro fuel cells.
Programs Connected with Fuel Cells There are also more programs in EPAct 2005 that directly or indirectly implicate fuel cell technology Title VIII is all about hydrogen, including
appropriations codes and standards task force
II. Incentives
Federal Incentives
Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Grants
USDA made $22.8 million available for the purchase of renewable energy systems and energy improvements for agricultural producers and small rural businesses Eligible projects include biofuels, hydrogen, and energy efficiency improvements, as well as solar, geothermal, and wind
II. Incentives
Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit
05/06: IRS established a form which provides the mechanism to claim the credit on as many properties as developed
Federal Incentives
Qualified Alternative Fuel Motor Vehicle Credit
06/06: IRS extends credit to converted vehicles when the conversion system manufacturer has received a certificate of conformity from the EPA or California Air Resources Board. Also establishes that manufacturers (conversion system installers) must provide certification to the IRS that a
North Dakota
Hydrogen to power a fuel cell is exempt from sales tax through 06/10
Oklahoma
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technician Training
Regulates the training, testing, and certification of technicians who install, modify, repair, or renovate equipment used in the fueling of AFVs and the conversion of any engines to alternative fueled engines
Arkansas
Fuel Cell Income Tax Credit
Credit for 50% of the amount spent on a facility that produces fuel cells
Securing America's Energy Independence Act of 2007 (H.R. 550, S. 590) 1/18/07, 2/14/07
Amends tax code to extend the investment tax credit with respect to qualified fuel cell property. Same as Senate bill Extends from 2008 to 2016 for qualified fuel cell properties: Investment tax credit, residential credit up to $500, 3-year accelerated depreciation period
Clean and Green Renewable Energy Tax Credit (H.R. 1596) 3/20/07
Would extend the investment tax credit to 2030
Department of Transportation
Federal Transit Agency
FTA Fuel Cell Transit Bus
Georgetown Fuel Cell Transit Bus Program
Began the logical transit connection in 1994 Generation II buses in 1998 and 2001 Generation III bus program development began in 2006
Demonstrate 3 hydrogen fuel cell buses in Chicago Demonstrate 3 different types of fuel cell buses at SunLine Transit
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Conduct fuel cell vehicle testing to identify potential failure modes of a high pressure compressed hydrogen storage system Develop a fuel cell vehicle and electrical isolation test procedure
Department of Transportation
Department of Energy
Fuel Cells and Infrastructure Technologies Program
Development of next generation technologies, Establishment of an education campaign that communicates potential benefits, and Better integration of subprograms in hydrogen, fuel cells, and distributed energy Lead Federal agency for directing and integrating activities in hydrogen and fuel cell R&D, and is responsible for coordinating the R&D activities for DOE's Hydrogen Program
Department of Energy
FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies Program
The long-term aim is to develop "leap frog" technologies that will provide Americans with greater freedom of mobility and energy security, while lowering costs and reducing impacts on the environment Examines need and risk of research in Hydrogen Fuel Development in the automotive industry Wants consumers to have variety/choice what, where, how they drive
George W. Bush
Presidents Hydrogen Fuel Initiative collaborates with DOEs FreedomCAR, the Big Three, and the US Counsel for Automotive Research boasts that it will speed up broad commercialization from 2030 to 2015. Tonight I am proposing 1.2 Billion in research fundingso that the first car driven by a child born today could be powered by hydrogen -State of the Union Address, January 2003
Department of Energy
Clean Cities program
Works with volunteer, public, and private organizations to support localities that decrease petroleum use
Collaborate on public policy issues
Conclusion
Promising technology Most viable for niche market use in the near future Widespread marketplace acceptance and use is still many years away