(503g) Role of Hydrogen in Future Clean Energy Landscape

Given the future energy demand growth, sustainable oil constraints and global mandates against GHG induced climate change; hydrogen is poised to be a strong contender in the future energy landscape. Strategic scenarios and hydrogen roadmaps have been laid out for addressing the future energy needs against the backdrop of environmental targets and clean energy strife. Hydrogenâ??s appreciable leverage and share is put on the transport and power sector with hydrogen pathways rendering a strong impetus in the longer run.

Hydrogenâ??s role as a unique carrier of ultra clean energy is imminent despite any barriers or roadblocks put by skeptics debating its claimed viability. Based on its unparalleled leverage and source flexibility, whether fossil, renewable or nuclear into â??one clean energy platformâ??, the hydrogen economy is destined to be in the offing.

Extensive deliberations for transitioning from direct hydrogen substitution as fuel (like H-CNG or HICE applications) and fuel-cells based stationary distributed power to transport vehicles starting with fleets and marine applications, is now expanding to a sizeable deployment for personal (HFC) cars. Marking the onset of the hydrogen movement, Toyota had recently launched their personal HFC car â??Miraiâ? last year in California, thus projecting an exponential expansion in coming years.

Furthermore, in view of the setback and limitations on nuclear power and also renewable energy options in terms of large scale deployment and overall economics, potential future trajectories are being forecasted on hydrogen as a dominant energy carrier in the longer term.

For realization of such demand, the fossil-derived hydrogen is still the strong contender and anticipated to cater for a substantial portion of future hydrogen generation, especially large centralized facilities and several medium-sized units, with carbon capture provisions.

It has been further boosted given the drive to exploit the abundant low-cost unconventional gas as a cost-effective low-carbon feedstock for generating large scale hydrogen using state-of-the-art technology. Additional drivers are ultimate well-to-wheel efficiency, economy of scale and qualification for CO₂ capture and sequestration. Eventual options of using renewable power to generate â??green hydrogenâ? are also on the horizon.

The talk will provide an overview on these interesting facets on the role of hydrogen in the future energy landscape.