23-06-2012, 05:00 PM
Hydrogen Energy and Fuel Cells
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The energy challenge
Worldwide demand for energy is growing at an alarming
rate. The European “World Energy Technology and Climate
Policy Outlook” (WETO) predicts an average growth rate
of 1.8% per annum for the period 2000-2030 for primary
energy worldwide. The increased demand is being met largely
by reserves of fossil fuel that emit both greenhouse gasses and
other pollutants. Those reserves are diminishing and they will
become increasingly expensive. Currently, the level of CO2
emissions per capita for developing nations is 20% of that for
the major industrial nations. As developing nations industrialise,
this will increase substantially. By 2030, CO2 emissions
from developing nations could account for more than half the
world CO2 emissions. Industrialised countries should lead the
development of new energy systems to offset this.
Why hydrogen and fuel cells?
Asustainable high quality of life is the basic driver for providing
a clean, safe, reliable and secure energy supply in Europe. To
ensure a competitive economic environment, energy systems
must meet the following societal needs at affordable prices:
– Mitigate the effects of climate change;
– Reduce toxic pollutants; and
– Plan for diminishing reserves of oil.
Failure to meet these needs will have significant negative
impacts on:
– the economy;
– the environment; and
– public health.
Measures should therefore be introduced which promote:
– more efficient use of energy; and
– energy supply from a growing proportion of carbon-free
sources.
Energy security and supply
Today’s society depends crucially on the uninterrupted availability
of affordable fossil fuels which, in future, will be increasingly
concentrated in a smaller number of countries – creating the
potential for geopolitical and price instability.
Air quality and health improvements
Improved technology and post-combustion treatments for conventional
technologies are continuously reducing pollutant
emissions. Nevertheless, oxides of nitrogen and particulates
remain a problem in certain areas, while the global trend
towards urbanisation emphasises the need for clean energy
solutions and improved public transport. Vehicles and stationary
power generation fuelled by hydrogen are zero emission
devices at the point of use, with consequential local air quality
benefits.