By
Thomas Drennen, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY, USA
Jennifer Rosthal, Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Geneva, NY, USA
Description
Hydrogen may someday fuel our cars and power and heat our homes and businesses and revolutionize the way we use energy. Moving to a hydrogen
economy could help reduce our reliance on foreign oil, improve local air quality, and reduce the risk of climate change. Despite the
potential of hydrogen, there is no guarantee that the hydrogen economy will happen as the obstacles are considerable and the competing
visions are many.
Pathways to a Hydrogen Future seeks to untangle the competing visions of a hydrogen economy, explain
the trade-offs and obstacles and offer recommendations for a path forward. The results are based on a detailed simulation model developed
at Sandia National Laboratories: "The Hydrogen Futures Simulation Model (H2Sim)".
The H2Sim is a high-level strategic tool for evaluating
the economic and environmental trade-offs of alternative hydrogen production, storage, transport, and end use options in the year 2020.
An executive version of H2Sim is included with the book allowing readers to explore the various scenarios discussed. H2Sim’s ease
of use and its ability to provide answers to these types of questions make it a powerful educational and policy making tool.
The model's
structure is ideal for exploring "what-if" questions, such as: Can fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) compete economically with current cars
if the FCVs are 2.5 times as efficient? Should the hydrogen be produced at fueling stations or at central locations and transported
to fueling stations?
Audience:
Researchers in the hydrogen and fuel cell field and also applicable to graduate courses on the economic aspects of hydrogen systems
Energy analysts and modellers, and those in the long-term planning parts of the energy industry and automotive
industry.
