Energy Innovation and Business Unit Hydrogen– the DTI Perspective Financing the Hydrogen...

Energy Innovation and Business Unit

Hydrogen– the DTI Perspective

Financing the Hydrogen Revolution

Thursday 26th February 2004

Bronwen NorthmoreDepartment of Trade and Industry

1 Victoria Street, London SW1H [email protected]


Why hydrogen?

• environmental benefits– zero emissions at point of use– potential for zero carbon emissions

• competitiveness • security of supply• the American dimension


What will the Hydrogen Revolution look like?

• Transport • CHP • Localised electricity production

where the economics are favourable • Unlikely ever to be an alternative

source for centralised power generation


Hydrogen energy covers the entire energy chain, with fuel cells being a key component of most chains

Storage

Production Distribution Conversion Application

Fuel cells fit here, and are the most logical means of hydrogen energy conversion in many situations. However,

they are not the only possible conversion device

Hydrogen energy is fuel-specific and technology-neutral

Fuel cells are technology-specific and fuel-neutral


Barriers

• production

• storage

• distribution

• safety & public perceptions


Hydrogen production

• from fossil fuels– gas, oil or coal

• by electrolysis– electricity from fossil fuel, renewables or

nuclear

• by advanced methods– photochemical, photobiological,

fermentation etc


Hydrogen storage

• current technologies– compressed gas, cryogenic liquid

• advanced technologies – hydrides, carbon nanotubes etc

A breakthrough is required for on-board vehicle storage


Hydrogen distribution

• By road (liquid or compressed gas)

• By pipeline

• or, manufacture on-site


Hydrogen – safety and public perceptions

• myths and realities

• differences between use by industry and use by consumers

• need codes and standards, and public outreach


Hydrogen in the UK – now

• Strong university research base

• Some leading companies

• Regional activities


UK Government Support Structure• Basic research – EPSRC, NERC, Others

– Responsive mode– Directed programmes– UKERC

• Industrial R&D – DTI

• R,D & D, investment – Carbon Trust


Funding

• EPSRC, NERC– Responsive mode - £0.5m pa– SUPERGEN - £3.4m/4 years for hydrogen– TSEC (Towards a Sustainable Energy

Economy)• DTI

– Advanced fuel cells programme - £2m pa– April call for fuel cells– Hydrogen programme?

• Carbon Trust


Challenges for Government

• Need a UK hydrogen strategy!

• Address fragmentation.

• How should we position ourselves in relation to international initiatives?

Web address for initial study: www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sepn


International Collaboration

• IEA Implementing Agreements – Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, Greenhouse Gas

• IEA Hydrogen Coordination Group

• EC Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Technology Platform

• International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy

Energy Innovation and Business Unit Hydrogen– the DTI Perspective Financing the Hydrogen...

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