Hydrogen: transport, distribution, and end use

1. Hydrogen: transport, distribution, and end use Annie Brandjord Bevan Flansburg Stephanie Hyde Cristen McLean Megan Sparks

2. …to wholly transform our fossil fuel reliance? …to make hydrogen available and usable to consumers? ... to change the currently inadequate energy infrastructure regardless of which energy we rely on? …to take a SMART approach to our nation’s energy future? Is it possible…?

3. Hydrogen is the answer • How is hydrogen transported? • What are hydrogen’s end uses? • How is hydrogen used as an energy source?

4. Transporting Hydrogen Primarily, hydrogen is a CARRIER not a source of energy http://nanopedia.case.edu/NWPage.php?page=hydrogen.transport

5. Hydrogen Pipelines • H2 safely transported through pipelines for decades, w/o optimal system • GH2 pipeline • important synergies • substantial added value • Pipelining GH2 will cost ~1.5 to 2 times NG, per unit energy-distance http://infotools.hfpeurope.org/energyinfos__e/hydrogen/main10.html

6. NG/GH2 Comparison • NG pipeline systems typically cost $US 1 per mm diameter per meter length (with compressors, meters, controls) • Minimum ~30 cm diameter. • NG pipeline 50 km long would be ~ $US 15 million. • GH2 pipeline may cost 2-3 times as much ($US 40 million) http://www.pttplc.com/th/ptt_core.asp?page=ap_ov_ng

7. Wind and H2, an example • H2 gathered from wind energy can be transported via pipelines • Example: Great Plains wind energy • delivers wind energy as compressed H2 gas through 400 new GH2 pipelines • requires 900 of the largest, practical new electric transmissions lines http://www.clever-ideas.com/news.asp?id=3

8. Technical challenges • pressure intensity varies seasonally • exacerbates H2 attack on pipeline steel • hydrogen-induced cracking • hydrogen corrosion • hydrogen embrittlement • valves, meters, compressors similarly affected

9. Distribution Standards • Buried terrestrial or subsea • >100 pressure cycles per year to 50% of design operating pressure. • Mixtures of NG and GH2 up to 100% • High pressure (>14 MPa), high-capacity (>5 GW), long-distance capabilities (>500km)

10. Replacing Gasoline • two types of hydrogen usage for power: • combustion • fuel-cell conversion (most efficient method) • NASA uses of hydrogen: • lift space shuttles • fuel cells to power ship electrical systems • crew drinks H2O byproduct www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/IntermediateHydrogen.html#UsesOfHydrogen;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_cell#Fuel_cell_applications

11. Hydrogen in the mix • 5% hydrogen in gasoline = reduces nitrogen oxide • can be added to ethanol, methanol, and natural gas to increase performance and reduce pollution http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_cell#Fuel_cell_applications;http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4199381.html?page=2

12. Hydrogen on a timeline • Today: • 9 million tons produced in US today, could power 20-30 million cars or 5-8 million homes • NASA • Around the world 500 hydrogen powered cars in use (Nov. 2006) • Honda to release hydrogen fueled vehicle in 2008 • Future: • GOAL: U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Program intends to use Hydrogen to produce 10% of our total energy demand by 2030 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_cell#Fuel_cell_applications;http://www.bmwworld.com/pics/7er/7350_1024.jpg

13. Hydrogen Fuel Cells • 99.999% reliability • no moving parts • no combustion suggested applications: laptops, motor vehicles, baseload power plants, off-grid power supply for rural locations, auxiliary power http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/IntermediateHydrogen.html#UsesOfHydrogen

14. Comparison of Fuel Cell Applications

15. D.O.E. Research and Development • High temp/ low humidity PEMs for vehicles • High temperature solid oxide technologies • Low cost/high efficiency • Co-production • Small systems to refueling stations http://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/past_program_solicitations.html#oxide; http://www.ird.dk/index.php?id=75,0,0,1,0,0

16. Specific D.O.E. Solicited Projects • Methanol fuel cell power supply for all-day wireless mobile computing. • Powering refrigeration units for trucks. • Advanced buildings PEM for hotels.

17. Using Hydrogen to Generate Electricity and Heat for Buildings • Stationary fuel cell units • used for backup power • power for remote locations • distributed generation for buildings • co-generation • ~ 600 systems of 10 kW built and operated to date • > 1,000 smaller units estimated built http://www.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/tech_validation/generation_proj.html

18. Hydrogen at Work • Hydrogen fuel cells already • Replacing batteries • TV cameras and forklifts • providing power at remote locations • Eg.- cellphone towers • Powering the police station in NY Central Park. • Plug Power Inc. • Awarded a contract w/ Detroit Edison’s Saint Clair power plant. http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4199381.html?page=3; http://www.hydrogenassociation.org/newsletter/ad101_plugPower.asp

19. Safety and savings Converting to vehicles that use hydrogen fuel-cells generated by wind • Would save 3,000 to 6,000 lives in the United States annually • These savings would make it cost-competitive with gas http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2005/july13/hydrogen-071305.html

20. Hydrogen’s vast potential “Eventually hydrogen will join electricity as the major energy carrier, supplying every end-use energy need in the economy, including transportation, central and distributed electric power, portable power, and combined heat and power for buildings and industrial processes.” http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/enduse.html

21. Transportation Distribution End Uses Infrastructure Needs Replacement of Gasoline Why Hydrogen? Because it is … Scalable, Safe and Clean! Hydrogen: The Energy Future (http://www.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/fuelcells/)