As society enters the 21st century, there is a growing awareness of the burdens being placed on the planet, as its ability to keep up with the demands of modern society are strained. One of the major contributors to this burden happens to be a main resource required for sustained development. Energy has always been, and will always be a necessary resource for existence. Since the industrial revolution, fossil fuels such as coal and oil have been the main-stay fuel to accommodate society's appetite. As the demand for this resource increases, the climatic and socio-economic costs of this fuel become more acute, and it is well documented that the supply of this fuel is not endless. One of the major consumers of this fuel, as a society, is the transportation sector. The processes in place which take it from the ground, to its combustion as a fuel, are some of the main culprits which adversely affect the planet. This thesis explores the issues associated with the introduction of another energy resource – Hydrogen – as a replacement fuel for the transportation industry. It is argued that for the transportation sector, Hydrogen offers the most promising alternative as a fuel. Making Hydrogen readily available and affordable through the retail infrastructure is of paramount importance, if its widespread use is to be achieved. The logistics of this are explored, and it is believed that the introduction of small Hydrogen fuelers at existing retail outlets, is the preferred method to instantiate the transition in the short to medium term. Those fueling stations can utilize grid electricity to produce Hydrogen by the means of water electrolysis, or take advantage of the existing Natural Gas distribution infrastructure to produce Hydrogen via steam reformation. This thesis examines the Well-to-Wheels impacts and economic feasibility of those options and compares them to existing vehicle and fuel technologies. The state of California was chosen as a target market due to its high automobile density, the resulting pollution issues, and its clear mandate on promoting alternative energy sources.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
1. Summary of the work
2. Environmental, economic, and political challenges associated with the use of fossil fuels, especially oil
2.1 Environmental and Social Problems with Fossil Fuels
2.1.1 Environmental pollution - Oil spills and discharges
2.1.2 Environmental pollution – Local Emissions
2.1.3 Environmental pollution – Global Climate Change
2.2 Exploitation of non-renewable resources
2.3 Economic dependence on finite resources
3. Facts about California
II. Technical background
4. Fuel Options for Transportation
5. Alternative means of transportation
6. Hydrogen and Transportation
6.1 Physical and Chemical Properties of Hydrogen
6.2 Use of hydrogen
6.2.1 Contemporary use of hydrogen
6.2.2 Fuel Cells
6.2.3 Safety
6.3 Manufacture of Hydrogen
6.5 Transportation of Hydrogen
6.6 Retail Infrastructure for Hydrogen
6.7 The Hydrogen Economy
6.8 Selected Hydrogen Programs and Cooperations
7. Electrolysis of Water
7.2 Opportunities and Problems of Hydrogen Production with Electrolysis
7.3 Electrolyzer Appliances
7.4 Feedstocks for Electricity Generation
III. Analysis of Different Hydrogen Production Pathways
8. Criteria for the Analysis
9. Different Fuel and Vehicle Scenarios
10. The GREET 1.6 Model
11. GREET Input Assumptions
12. GREET Results
12.1 Energy Consumption
12.2 CO2 and GHG Emissions
13 Hydrogen Production Costs
IV. Policy Options
14 Policy Instruments
15 Policy Instruments in Place
V. Conclusion and Outlook
Research Objective and Key Topics
This thesis investigates the transition toward a sustainable hydrogen-based transportation infrastructure in California. It evaluates the environmental impacts, economic feasibility, and technical viability of hydrogen as a replacement fuel, focusing on small-scale on-site production methods such as electrolysis and steam reformation of natural gas.
- Environmental and socio-economic challenges of fossil fuel dependency.
- Technical requirements and production pathways for hydrogen fuel.
- Well-to-Wheels lifecycle analysis of various fuel and vehicle scenarios.
- Economic evaluation and policy recommendations for a hydrogen economy in California.
Excerpt from the Book
Environmental pollution - Oil spills and discharges
It is estimated that 260 000 tons of oil are induced into the North Sea every year. Of the 205 million tons that are produced, 10 000 tons are induced during regular production (eg through production water). 5000 to 8000 square kilometers of North Sea Ground is contaminated. In Russia annual spills of 15 million tons of crude oil (up to 10% of production) contaminate the tundra and taiga. Pipeline maintenance is poor and no official statistics exist about the spilled amounts. In July 1994 350000 tons of oil spilled into the river Petschora contaminating the arctic and threatened the Petschora Delta. This was the 6th biggest oil disaster in history. In northern Russia 25-50% of the Natural Gas escapes without being flared. Methane (CH4), the main component of Natural Gas, is a greenhouse gas that poses a serious threat to the stratospheric ozone layer. It has 21 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide.
The next step on the way from the crude oil to gasoline is the transport from oil wells to the refineries, from the refineries to storage tanks, and from there to the distribution sites. These transportation and storage processes have a big impact on the environment whenever something goes wrong. The goal of maximizing profits by using outdated and cheaper single-hull ships registered in countries with lax security measures as well as insufficient precautions constantly lead to disasters.
Summary of Chapters
I. Introduction: Presents the ecological and socio-economic motivation for transitioning away from a fossil fuel-based transportation sector, with a specific focus on California as an ideal target market.
II. Technical background: Examines alternative fuel technologies and the physical/chemical characteristics of hydrogen, while detailing production methods, storage options, and the role of fuel cells.
III. Analysis of Different Hydrogen Production Pathways: Assesses the ecological and economic impacts of using the GREET model to compare various fuel and vehicle scenarios, including Well-to-Wheels emissions and production costs.
IV. Policy Options: Discusses the regulatory and economic instruments necessary to stimulate the market demand and supply required for a transition to hydrogen-powered transportation.
V. Conclusion and Outlook: Synthesizes the findings, confirming the feasibility of the transition while emphasizing the need for continued investment and policy support to overcome infrastructure hurdles.
Keywords
Hydrogen, California, Transportation, Fuel Cells, Electrolysis, Natural Gas, Sustainability, Well-to-Wheels, Fossil Fuels, Climate Change, Renewable Energy, GREET Model, Policy Instruments, Emissions Reduction, Infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
This work explores the transition from a fossil fuel-dependent transportation sector to a sustainable hydrogen-based infrastructure, with California serving as the primary case study.
Which energy resources are identified as the most critical for this transition?
The research emphasizes hydrogen as a clean energy carrier and analyzes its production via water electrolysis and steam methane reforming.
What is the primary objective of this thesis?
The primary goal is to evaluate the environmental impacts and economic feasibility of adopting hydrogen as a transportation fuel to mitigate global warming and reduce reliance on finite energy resources.
What scientific methods are applied in the analysis?
The thesis utilizes the GREET 1.6 model to perform a comprehensive Well-to-Wheels lifecycle analysis, assessing energy consumption and emissions across different fuel production and vehicle technology scenarios.
What is discussed in the main section?
The main section covers the technical background of propulsion technologies and hydrogen production, followed by a detailed analysis of production pathways and their associated costs and emissions.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Hydrogen, California, Sustainable Transportation, Fuel Cells, Well-to-Wheels analysis, and Renewable Energy.
How does this document evaluate the safety of hydrogen?
It addresses both real and perceived risks, noting that while hydrogen is flammable, proper engineering and controls can ensure safety levels equivalent to or better than currently used fuels.
What is the role of small-scale on-site production?
The thesis concludes that small-scale, on-site hydrogen production is a preferred short-to-medium-term strategy because it utilizes existing natural gas and electricity grid infrastructure, thereby avoiding the high initial costs of building a centralized hydrogen delivery system.
- Quote paper
- Marlene Hilkert (Author), 2003, Pathways for a Transition to a Sustainable Hydrogen Transportation Fuel Infrastructure in California, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/22039
