National Hydrogen Institute of Australia(NHIA)

The Parallel of Significance:-

A parallel of significance has been reached between, the importance of Hydrogen in its nuclear sense as in our stars, with hydrogen in its humble chemical sense here on Earth. - © Stephen V Zorbas - 1995

Hydrogen and the Hydrogen Economy have been mentioned now for many years, and you may agree or disagree with hydrogen being selected as our future "forever" fuel of the twenty first(21st) century. The International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy (IPHE), has many nations involved seeking hydrogen to be as available as petrol by year 2020.Most agree that hydrogen will in fact become a reality and its only a question of time and timing. Before making your mind up please download the following report and learn the fundamentals about hydrogen. Twenty Hydrogen Myths ( Physicist A.Lovins) http://www.rmi.org/images/other/Energy/E03-05_20HydrogenMyths.pdf(350KB).

Replacing fossil fuels won't be easy, as the energy content is very high and we have become attached to such for so long. We drive our cars which are only 15%-21% efficient (Prius 30%), and still get 450kls to 600kls on a tank of petrol. This means that our cars almost waste 80% of the energy in petrol creating heat (heat engine), whilst ~20% pushes the car 450kls to 600kls.That is a measure of how rich in energy fossil fuels are, and gives us an indication how inefficient our combustive transport technologies have been. However, if we found a less energy dense fuel for a much more efficient technology, then we could achieve a significant result. Hydrogen in PEM fuel cell engines operate at about 2-3 times more efficient that petrol in a combustion engine. Cost naturally comes into the equation, and again initially hydrogen will cost more but the efficiency factor must be taken into account. The fuel cell vehicle will go 2-3 times further than a petrol combustion engine based on energy equivalence. Hydrogen in a PEM fuel cell engine is not burnt or combusted, rather an electrochemical process takes place to produce electricity, water and waste heat.You may say Hydrogen is another replacement fuel like LPG, CNG, bio-fuels and alike; Hydrogen can be produced from many sources though.

Hydrogen can be generated from electricity and water via electrolysis, with renewable electricity as well being highly desired as like for electric cars. The hydrogen generated would be used in a fuel cell car which is an electric car, just that the fuel cell generates the electricity rather than holds the electrical energy (batteries) in electric cars as we know it. Hydrogen can be generated from natural gas as most of the hydrogen produced today comes from such natural gas reforming. Natural gas reforming has been the desired production scenario for hydrogen for over a decade, as relating to hydrogen supply for large numbers of fuel cell vehicles. California(US) has many hydrogen stations(25-40) preparing for a year 2015 mass production scenario.

NEWS FLASH - Hydrogen fuel cell charger for portable electronic devices like mobile phones, digital cameras etc........commercially released(16.6) by Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies

Alternatively hydrogen could be produced at home thus negating costly infrastructure issues and lengthy delays. Honda Japan is developing a home hydrogen generation system, which can refuel the Honda Clarity fuel cell vehicle over night. Honda has built several prototypes and lets say by year 2015 the costs have come down, facilitating real commercial feasibility. Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies of Singapore, has recently produced the world's first home hydrogen generator; see video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLVQVtuPR9c

Hydrogen can be stored in containers once produced by electrolysis, where the electricity comes from solar electric panels and the water is collected rainwater. Not all sustainable communities have the affluence of the west. Such rainwater can be purified via renewable energy to a point of being able to be used in the new and cheaper electrolyser say from Horizon Fuel cell technologies. Horizon is now working on bigger units to fill bigger HydroStiks (say 200litre).The delivery pressure is 435psi +-2% which is good pressure for larger and cheaper pressure vessels.This trends towards compressor less hydrogen storage for return to fuel cell integration, and or burning hydrogen for gas cooking options. Proton Energy Systems achieved 2,400psi hydrogen production from their PEM electrolyser in year 2009, seeking 5000psi in the future. Sustainable Communities Australia

Europe has a planned 1000 hydrogen stations before year 2015 to be built [Quantum leap]. Toyota have stated that they predict their FCV in year 2015 will cost around $50,000.Toyota has cut costs by 90% in recent years and predict cost will drop by a further 50% in several years. Platinum is being cut from 30grams to 10grams and the PEM membrane is as well much cheaper. GM, Honda, Toyota and Hyundai all seek to have FCV's commercially available by year 2015, so the infrastructure suppy issue of hydrogen is quite important.

As per the report below the near price per kg of hydrogen for fuel cell powered vehicles is US$4-$6(A$4.30-$6.45 at 28/02/2008) : One(1) kg of Hydrogen in energy is ~= one(1) US gal (petrol) = 3.785 L : This equates to A$1.13 / L - A$1.69 / L BUT, as hydrogen in a hydrogen fuel cell is twice as efficient as petrol in a combustion engine car, on a $ per kilometre basis the price per kg & L is halved from A$1.13 / L - A$1.69 / L to A$.56 / L - A$.845 / L. What this now means on a cost basis is that hydrogen is now cost competitive with petrol. In Sydney Australia on the 28/02/2008 the price of petrol was A$1.45 / L Hydrogen Infrastructure Assessment-Download(1.6meg.)http://www.h2andyou.org/pdf/10Things.pdf

The quest to make hydrogen the fuel of the future Sustainable Schools Australia Solar Energy

Suggested policy directions on hydrogen in Australia:03/04

[2] The increase in the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET).[3] Significant increases in electricity generated by free renewable energy before year 2010.[4] The development of a large solar thermal electricity (SCS) plant (200-300 MW).[5] Adaptation of solar paraboloidal concentrators for large solar chemical storage.[6] The development of hydrogen production from renewable energy projects.[7] Progression of a large Solar Concentrator Systems (SCS) using paraboloids for a mass hydrogen production plant before year 2013.[8] Australia to be the nation for a large mass hydrogen demonstration project as desired by The International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy (<2010).[9] Urban transport is to adopt blended fuels like HCNG as soon as possible by demonstration project, progressing with hybrid vehicles to fuel cell vehicles.[10] Commercial fleet demonstrations of Fuel Cell Vehicles by year 2007. .[12]Strategies as “Stepping Stones” where appropriate, to further H₂ & Fuel Cells.[13] Developing educational modules with the Fuel Cell Institute of Australia for schools.