Outline of a Proposed Hydrogen Documentary
Introductory Quotes:
- 7/00: Sheikh Yamani (Oil Minister of Saudi Arabia 1962–86) predicts that world oil prices will drop sharply in about 5 years, and later crash durably, because of competition, chiefly from hydrogen fuel-cells. "This is coming before the end of the decade and will cut gasoline consumption by almost 100 %." Saudi Arabia, he says, "will have serious economic difficulties". "Thirty years from now there will be a huge amount of oil -- and no buyers. Thirty years from now, there is no problem with oil. Oil will be left in the ground."
- In Hubbert's Peak, Deffeyes writes with good humor about the oil business, but he delivers a sobering message: the 100-year petroleum era is nearly over. Global oil production will peak sometime between 2004 and 2008, and the world's production of crude oil "will fall, never to rise again.": Paul Raeburn in reviewing Hubbert's Peak: The Impending World Oil Shortage for Scientific American.
- Shell and RWE say it would take at most 2 years to convert many thousands of German gasoline filling stations to offer hydrogen.
- 5/00: Honda, with Insight demand far outstripping supply (2000 sales are expected to be twice projections), announces 2001 Japan release of its first mass-market Civic hybrid, using engine drive until fuel-cell models become available starting 2003.
- "The potential cost-effective windpower in the Dakotas could make as much hydrogen as the world now uses—enough, if used in efficient fuel-cell vehicles, to displace all oil now used by U.S. highway vehicles," Amory Lovins, June 2003.
- The TES consortium (DaimlerChrysler, BMW, VW, MAN, Shell, ARAL, RWE, and the German Government) switches its default fuel choice from methanol to direct hydrogen, which DaimlerChrysler says will fuel its NECAR 6 concept car; methanol and natural gas are now mere backup options. Daimler-Chrysler plans fuel-cell fleets in 2004.
- "General Motors Corp. is trying to enlist the Chinese government
in promoting cars that run on hydrogen fules cells instead of gasoline,
in hopes that the nation's potentially huge market might generate
enough
sales to make the new technology profitable."
"GM officials in Bejing said China could jump straight into alternative-fule cars if it begins setting up special hydrogen filling stations now--perhaps alongside new gas stations as they are built."
"...GM hopes its hydrogen-fule-cell cars will be commercially viable by 2010", Los Angeles Times, page C3, Wednesday, November 19, 2003.
- "We are at one of the
more fundamental opportunities in our history because we have run out
of time with this fossil fuel oil oriented energy economy of
ours. And we either are going to get on a cleaner path, which is
hydrogen - as though our lives depended on it - or we are going to get
in more and more trouble."
David Freeman, SCAQMD Diamond Bar, California July 25, 2003 - "As evidenced by the Hy-Wire, we want Californians to see first-hand that General Motors is very committed to leading the way to a hydrogen economy," said Elizabeth A. Lowery, GM vice-president, environment and energy. Sacramento, Feb 10, 2003
- "Energy sources like coal and oil once overcame an economy based
on horsepower. So, I suspect, our carbon-based economy may itself pass
from the scene to be replaced, perhaps, by hydrogen."
Spencer Abraham, Secretary, U.S. Dept of Energy From the California Hydrogen Business Council. - EU Commission President Prodi about hydrogen and fuel cells: "This is an important choice for Europe. Hydrogen technology will not only reduce our energy dependency and gas emissions; in the long run it will also change considerably our socio-economic model and create new opportunities for developing countries." H2CarBIZ, June 2003.
- "By the second decade of this century, mass production of
automotive fuel cells will result in first, a glut in the world oil
supply and then, in a total rejection of oil as a vehicle fuel."
K. Atakan Ozbek, VP Energy Research, Allied Business Intelligence - "It could well be that the first country to seriously address the issues of creating a market for renewables would become the central location for a major new international business sector - with all the positive consequences that carries in terms of economic activity and employment. There is great scope in all of this for government and business to work together to build the right conditions for renewables." Rodney Chase, Deputy Group Chief Executive and Chief Executive of BP
- “Chrysler Group has a long and proud history of supporting our national defense efforts,” said Bernard I Robertson, Senior Vice President, Research and Regulatory Affairs. “This unique technology could have great benefits for the military: in particular, it is nonflammable, greatly improving safety in battle zones, and the main ingredient can be transported as a dry powder, dramatically reducing the enormous logistical demands of fueling our military in advanced battle settings. H2CARSBIZ, June 2003.
- GM aims to make "hundreds of thousands of fuel-cell vehicles annually before the end of the decade."
- 6/00: Ford confirms its Chairman's view that 20% of cars on the road by 2010 will be hybrid-electric.
I. History of Fossil Fuel
A. How formed, 250 million years ago.B. Discovered and quickly consumed in 150-200? years
C. Carbon cycle and fossil fuels
D. Greenhouse gases and greenhouse effect.
II. World Oil Supply Estimates
A. Next 10 years before all cheap oil is goneB. Not available in all countrys
C. Not much time left to retool and develop new technologys
III. What is Needed
A. Renewable fuel for a sustainable economy.B. Readily available in many geographical areas and countries.
C. Non-polluting energy sources. Hydrogen produces only water as a by product.
IV. Hydrogen--The Fuel of the Future
A. H2 burns to produce H2OB. Available in fossil fuels (mainly natural gas), renewable ethanol, water
C. Reforming does cause some CO2. Burning causes little pollution. H2O formed.
V. Fuel Cells
A. developed originally in the 1800s, and perfected for the U.S. space program. See Dr. Ballard's work.B. The most efficient method of converting energy, up to 65%.
C. First car in 1960
D. First home in 1999
E. Buildings and 200kWh units
F. DWP in Los Angeles installs fuel-cell electric plant in March 2003.
VI. How Fuel Cells work
A. Like a battery they generate electricity through chemical energy, except use up fuel, not electrolyte.B. Anode and Cathode separated by barrier to block electrons
C. Producing H2 fuel is the opposite of electrolysis. H2 and O2 go in, electricity comes out.
D. Quiet, non polluting, can be made small or large
E. How reformers work.
F. How electrolysis of water could work using renewal energy sources such as hydroelectric.
G. Produce energy more efficiently then conventional motors and generators; 50-65 percent compared to 25-33 percent energy conversion rates.
VII. Building Fuel Cells and Cogeneration
A. Fuel cell and reformer, hydrogen appliance, installed in buildings.B. NG and electrical infrastructure in place.
C. Fuel Cell also creates heat for space and water heating through cogeneration
D. Decentralized cogeneration can create a more reliable, more secure power supply.
VIII. Fuel Cells in Cars
A. Hybrid cars will be step to fuel cell cars. Fuel cell replaces gasoline engine.B. Compressed H2 gas is probably most practical
C. When coupled with fuel cells and reformers in buildings, get H2 from building
D. Produce electricity when not driven.
IX. Small-scale Fuel Cells
A. Fuel cells might replace rechargeable batteries in any mobile electric applianceB. Cell phones
C. PDAs and laptop computers
X. Building the Hydrogen Infrastructure for the Hydrogen Economy
A. Often portrayed at the stumbling block, the chicken and the egg problem.B. Estimated to cost $100 billion if use existing energy infrastructure
C. Hydrogen could first come from the estimated 150+ year supply of natural gas. Eventually renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric can supply hydrogen through the electrolysis of water.
D. Fuel cells should be installed in vehicles and building simultaneously as an interim step. Car fuel cells can generate electricity while parked. The heavy reformers are installed in the buildings first. This system takes advantage of the existing AC electrical and natural gas infrastructure. See A Strategy for the Hydrogen Transition by RMI.
E. Hydrogen filling stations are already be constructed in Iceland and Las Vegas.
F. Existing renewal energy sources such as hydroelectric, wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass can power the hydrogen economy. No new coal or expensive nuclear power plants will be required. See Armory Lovins's Hydrogen Primer, June 2003.
G. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin report that they have developed an inexpensive nickel, tin, and aluminum catalyst that can produce hydrogen from organic waste that contains glucose, such as paper mill sludge or cheese whey. Researchers reported their progress in the journal Science. Los Angeles Times, June 28, 2003, pg. A13.
XI. Resources and Interviews
- A Strategy for the Hydrogen Transition by RMI
- Armory Lovins's Hydrogen Primer, June 2003
- The
Future of Energy by Amory Lovins
- Lost Opportunities, Slaying Dragons, and Hydrogen Now: David Freeman Speaks, Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Newsletter, January 2003.
- Hubbert's Peak: The Impending World Oil Shortage by Kenneth S. Deffeyes
- The Hydrogen Economy: The Creation of the World-Wide Energy Web and the Redistribution of Power on Earth
- Our Future Is Hydrogen: Energy, Environment, and Economy by Robert Siblerud, T. Nejat Veziroglu
- Listmania! Hydrogen Society by Mark Murphy, Writer
- Hydrogen: Its Production and Energy Uses by Committee on Science and Technology U S (Editor), Committee on Science and Technology U. S
- Scientific American, July 1999. FC in vehicles by A. John Appleby, Center for Electrochemical Systems and Hydrogen Research at Texas A&M University Buildings, Alan C. Lloyd, chairman of California's Air Resources Board Replacing small batteries, Christopher K. Dyer, Motorola, U.S. Editor of Journal of Power Sources
- Scientific American, October 2002: Vehicle of Change by Lawrence D. Burns, J. Byron McCormick, and Christopher E. Borroni-Bird
- The Army is interested in the dual capability of fuel-cell vehicles to be able to also generate electrical power in the field.
- How Hydrogen can Save America by Peter Schwartz and Doug Randall, Wired Magazine, April 2003.
- Dr. Ballard, Fortune
Small Business , June 4, 2003 By David
Whitford .
- General Motors hybrid vehicle news
- GM military hybrid truck and GM military fuel-cell truck
- GM-Toyota partnership
- Toyota
- Honda, first EPA approved fuel-cell car in the U.S.
- HyperCar news
- California Hydrogen Business Council
- U.S. Fuel Cells Council
- Fuel Cells 2000, The Online Fuel Cell Information Center
- Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Newsletter, by Peter Hoffman
- California Fuel Cell Partnership
- Project Next Step: A proposal for kick-starting the Hydrogen Economy