1. Hydrogen Fuel Cells: A Dream or Reality? Section 007 Andrew Scheidel Emily Skaer Elizabeth Golanski

2. The Obvious Energy Problem  Developing countries population continues to grow along with their Per Capita GDP  The World currently derives 80% of its Energy from fossil fuels  Believe it or not, fossil fuel will hit a production peak in the VERY near future  Higher demand + lower supply = X 1,000,000,000,000 which means no more Escalades and Hummers no more Escalades and Hummers

3. Currently the United States uses 45 % of oil for gasoline purposes Animation of a petrochemical refinery

4. Economics Lesson  Crude oil prices are linked with inflation (high oil = higher costs = prices raised in order to offset higher cost = inflation.  Inflation leads to many problems like: - Less purchasing power - Less purchasing power - A decrease in consumer spending - A decrease in consumer spending

5. The Solution!  Renewable and alternate forms of energy. NOW!  Wind, hydro, solar, tidal, geothermal, and HYDROGEN  The forefront of hydrogen fuel development relates to hydrogen utilization in automobiles  The Hydrogen Fuel Cell System utilizes electrochemical energy yielding water as exhaust

6. First, How Does a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Work? Hydrogen Consists of 1 proton and 1 electron orbiting that proton.

7. How Does a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Work?  Hydrogen gas enters anode  At the same time oxygen enters cathode  Catalysts causes H to split  Protons go through the proton exchange membrane and electrons go through circuit to power motor  Protons, electrons, oxygen recombine to form water

9. Moving on to the Benefits of Hydrogen Fuel Cells  Experience with fuel cells already -NASA  Abundance of Hydrogen -2/3 of the planet is water 2/3 of water is hydrogen  Ensures more stable economy, the abundance offers less energy cost fluctuation  Reduction of CO2 emissions  Only by-product is water

10. Benefits of Hydrogen Fuel Cells  Hydrogen manufacture can be environmentally friendly  Lessons global warming  Reduction in health problems  Energy dependence on foreign nations is reduced  Can be more efficient

11. Benefits of Hydrogen Fuel Cells  Very appealing to consumers  In fact, it is already becoming a reality in California TO THE LEFT shows 15 Hydrogen stations in operation and 9 that are planned in California

12. Now, the Other Side of the Story: Problems with Hydrogen Fuel Cells  Hydrogen may be abundant in water on Earth but it is not directly available like Oxygen is  There are no hydrogen pipelines and there are only 15 stations in the ENTIRE country  Very difficult to distribute  Very difficult to store  Very difficult to transport

13. HYDROGEN STORAGE SYSTEM = $$$$$

14. Problems with Hydrogen Fuel Cells  There are hydrogen reformers that convert other fuels like gasoline to hydrogen -These reformers emit pollution and still use fossil fuels as fuel source - Also reduce hydrogen efficiency  This problem cannot be ignored and leads many to look toward other viable fuel sources using similar technology

15. Solutions to the Problems  Many say there are too many problems with this technology for it to be viable  Incentives for gas stations to start offering hydrogen along with gasoline (subsidies, tax breaks)  To take care of transportation, reformers should be located close to hydrogen fuel stations

16. HYDROGEN FUEL DISPENSOR

17. Solutions to the Problems  New studies have show alternate fuels other than hydrogen would be as efficient -Methanol, propane, natural gas  Increase investment in research and development….big time. A methanol fueled automobile developed by Daimler Chrysler

18. Concluding Remarks  Supporters of hydrogen fuel cells are much too optimistic and are having difficulty thinking realistically  Opposition is too quick to dismiss this as actually being a viable fuel source  These two groups need to begin working together to solve the problems -The government should act as a liaison between the two in order to encourage progress

19. Concluding Remarks  There is not nearly enough being done now  Action must be taken immediately by all groups in order to make this fuel source viable and prevent the economic implications previously mentioned  Must be a collaboration between, government, universities, national research laboratories etc. in order for this to be viable

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