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Abstract
Hydrogen is an energy carrier that can transform our fossil-fuel dependent economy into a
hydrogen economy, which can provide an emissions-free transportation fuel. Literature
reviews and independent research were the main methods of research. Hydrogen storage and
transport are issues of intense research due to hydrogen’s characteristic low density. Is
hydrogen a justifiable means to the attainment of an environmentally beneficial transportation
fuel when methods of production are not utilizing clean, renewable energy sources? What
exactly are the completely emissions-free methods of producing and utilizing hydrogen in
transportation? Can hydrogen be the fuel of the future?
Hydrogen is the fuel of the future. As an avid
researcher of alternative fuels and an
ambitious chemistry student, this researcher
understands the importance of a shift to a
hydrogen economy. Hydrogen is an energy
carrier that can be used in internal combustion
engines or fuel cells producing virtually no
greenhouse gas emissions when combusted
with oxygen. The only significant emission is
water vapor. Hydrogen production and
storage is currently undergoing extensive
research. A solar-hydrogen system can
provide the means of a totally emissions-free
method of producing hydrogen. Although steam reformation of methane is currently the
major route to hydrogen production, the
emissions involved can also be controlled
much more efficiently than our current system
of transportation fuel.
Climate change is a serious issue
becoming increasingly evident to much of the
population. Rising CO2 levels have directly
contributed to the global warming
phenomenon. As shown in Figures 1 and 2,
the CO2 levels have rising dramatically in the
past 200 years, along with the global average
temperature.
While I will examine numerous aspects
involved in the hydrogen economy, I will not
compare hydrogen to other alternative fuels.
Government policy will be briefly referenced,
but not detailed. The core of the research
concerns the advantages of hydrogen and the
current progress related to the disadvantages
of hydrogen as a transportation fuel. Much
work is in progress to initiate a shift from a
fossil-fuel economy to a hydrogen economy.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of
this hydrogen economy? Who is funding this
research and what are their true intentions? Is
there a possibility that hydrogen will be the fuel of the future and also accomplish the goal
of being emissions-free?
Materials and Methods
This research is based on independent
research and literature reviews. The various
sources of research include recent journal
articles from opposing sides of the hydrogen
economy. The United States Department of
Energy website was referenced for current
statistics relating to the transportation sector
and the various alternative energy sources
being researched.
Results
Hydrogen is an energy carrier that can be
produced and converted into energy through a
variety of ways. Table 1 provides a brief
explanation of the advantages and drawbacks
of hydrogen as a transportation fuel.
Electrolysis of water is deemed to be the
cleanest route tothe production of hydrogen.
However, the advantages of this proposed hydrogen economy is dependent on the use of
clean, renewable resources as the source of
electricity. Today burning coal and nuclear
fission generates 68% of the US electricity.
For instance, the major routes to employable
hydrogen gas involve the use of electricity.
Until a dramatic shift is made toward
renewable energy sources, the production of
hydrogen cannot be emissions free.