Hydrogen is the most basic and abundant element on earth. Combined with another chemical catalyst in a closed-circuit environment, such as a fuel cell, hydrogen has the ability to produce power without combustion or pollution. Hydrogen has the potential to fuel vehicles, heat homes and generate electricity onsite. However, the production, delivery and storage of hydrogen are very complex processes still in their early stages of development.
Hydrogen is an energy carrier that can store and deliver usable energy. It contains more functional energy per pound than any other fuel. As a result, hydrogen is more efficient on a weight basis than the fuels currently being used in ground or air transportation. It does not exist in nature by itself and must be produced from a compound that contains it. A variety of sources are capable of producing hydrogen including: natural gas and coal, nuclear, biomass and other renewable energy sources.
Although the majority of hydrogen production comes from steam reforming natural gas, scientists are currently looking for ways to create hydrogen more efficiently from renewable energy sources. Natural gas is becoming scarcer and more expensive, and the carbon dioxide released during the reformation process adds to the greenhouse effect. Biomass materials are now considered one of the best near-term options for renewable hydrogen production.
The U.S. Department of Energy is engaged in research and development of a variety of hydrogen production technologies. Some are further along in development than others — some may be cost competitive by 2015. Still, other production technologies are considered long-term and probably will not be cost-competitive until after 2030.
Sources: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), U.S. Department of Energy (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy) and U.S. Fuel Cell Council