dutton hydrogen economy iop nov2003

Hydrogen: The Fuel of the Future?

Institute of Physics, London, 11 November 2003

Dr Geoff Dutton

Energy Research Unit,

CLRC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

UK Hydrogen Energy Network (H2NET) www.h2net.org.uk

The Hydrogen Economy

Why hydrogen? The hydrogen economy Where will all the hydrogen come from? Hydrogen

production processes Hydrogen storage, transport, and distribution Hydrogen end-use systems Hydrogen technology futures Conclusions

The Hydrogen Economy - Drivers

Drivers resource depletion global warming (CO2) urban air quality security of supply electricity storage

BMW clean fleet Background

energy crisis in 1970s led to initial concept development followed by technology driven demonstration projects in

1980s and 1990s industrial commitment from the late 1990s, particularly

relating to fuel cells and automotive applications

The Hydrogen Economy - Drivers

but the ultimate energy path is complex and currently expensive

Hydrogen has more energy per unit

mass than any other fuel enables truly zero-

emission vehicles is a very diverse fuel and

energy carrier

PIU Report (2002)

There is the long term prospect that the technology for powering vehicles by fuel cells fed on hydrogen will ultimately provide a substitute for oil.

it is possible to deliver reductions in carbon emissions of60% provided sufficient energy efficiency measures are adopted, the electricity system has very low carbon emissions, and major progress is made towards a low carbon transport system, probably based on hydrogen. Such transitions are highly unlikely without strong policy attention to the development of low carbon options.

Energy White Paper (2003) 3 challenges

Environmental protection The threat of climate change is real Adopt target to cut emissions to 60% of current levels by 2050

Resource depletion Dependent on imported energy for 75% of our total needs by 2020 Without new nuclear build only Sizewell B will be operating by 2025 Natural gas will need to be imported from Norway, Russia, the Middle

East, North Africa, Latin America

Energy infrastructure modernisation New investment in generating capacity has waned during 1990s European regulations likely to force modernisation or closure of old

coal-fired plant Renewables will become a more significant source of electricity (10%

by 2010, but only an aspiration of 20% by 2020) Major investments needed in the fuel delivery infrastructure

Energy White Paper (2003) 4 goals

To put ourselves on the path to cut the UKs CO2 emissions by 60% by 2050 (real progress by 2020)

To maintain the reliability of energy supplies To promote competitive markets in the UK and beyond (to raise

the rate of sustainable economic growth and improve our productivity)

To ensure that every home is adequately and affordably heated

The Hydrogen Economy

Hydrogen economy = overall (inter)national energy infrastructure based on hydrogen (ideally from non-fossil primary energy sources)

Hydrogen is a storage and transmission vector for energy from renewable (or nuclear) power stations allowing both utilities and consumers increased flexibility

Hydrogen production - current status

Hydrogen is currently used almost exclusively as an industrial chemical ~500 billion Nm3 produced annually worldwide (Air Products

is largest producer with > 50 plants, 7 pipeline systems totalling > 340 miles)

48% is produced by steam reforming of natural gas used for ammonia production, fertiliser manufacture,

methanol production, refinery use for desulphurisation fuel for space exploration

Hydrogen production

Steam methane reforming (SMR) of natural gas Partial oxidation (POX) / reformation of other carbon-based fuels Coal gasification (IGCC) Biomass gasification Pyrolysis Dissociation of methanol or ammonia Electrolysis of water

if the source of electricity is renewable energy then the net emissions of carbon dioxide are zero

Thermo-chemical splitting of water Biological photosynthesis or fermentation Other electrochemical and photochemical processes

Hydrogen production - SMR

Hydrocarbonfeeds

Hydro-desulphurisation

H2Products

HTS/LTSSHIFT PSA

FUEL

Steam

ReformerProcess

GasBoiler

EXPORTSTEAM

REFORMING SHIFTCH4 + H20 3H2 + CO CO + H20 H2 + CO2

880 oCSource : Air Products

Hydrogen production - SMR

Tosco Martinez SMR, CA Source : Air Products

Hydrogen production - electrolysis of water

Electrochemical water-splitting process:

222 21 OHOH +

Commercial electrolysers typical efficiency 75% Operating pressures up to 50 bar (< high pressure cylinders)

need for additional compression Improve efficiency by operating at higher T Develop high pressure electrolysers

Hydrogen production cost estimates

SMR

Fuel cost (EUR/km)

CO2 emissions (kgCO2 / km)

Petrol (untaxed) Petrol (taxed)

Electrolysis from grid electricity

increasing naturalgas price

carbon dioxidesequestration

Biomass Solar el.Wind el.

Hydrogen storage

Pressurised gas underground chambers advanced high pressure composite cylinders

Liquefied hydrogen Transmission by pipeline Chemical (methanol, ammonia, etc.) Reversible metal hydride systems Carbon nanotubes US DOE hydrogen goal 7.5 wt.% of H2

The Periodic Table of the Chemical ElementsThe mass of each element isindicated by elevationabove the plane

M. O. Jones, and P. P. Edwards, University of Birmingham,

Stored H2 per mass and per volume: metal hydrides, carbon nanotubes, petrol and other hydrocarbons

Schlapbach and Zttel, Nature, 15 Nov 2001

Volume of 4 kg of hydrogen compacted in differentways, with size relative to the size of a car.

Mg2NiH4 LaNi5H6 H2 (liquid) H2 (200 bar)Schlapbach and Zttel, Nature, 15 Nov 2001

Hydrogen distribution and transport

Hydrogen is conventionally distributed in: gaseous form cylinders or large pressure vessels liquefied form by tanker liquefied form by pipeline

Large scale hydrogen pipeline distribution is feasible but is likely to be very expensive

Existing natural gas pipeline network could be used: dilution with H2 by up to 10% technical problems likely to prevent higher concentrations

being allowed logistic problems of changeover

Hydrogen distribution and transport

2,800 28,000 280,000 2,800,000Usage m3/Day

Pipeline

Large Onsite Plants

Small Onsite Plants

Liquid Hydrogen

Tube Trailer

Source : Air Products

Hydrogen end-use systems

Hydrogen fuelled internal combustion engines limited by Carnot efficiency improved efficiency by up to 20% compared with gasoline

since both compression ratio and ratio of specific heats increased

loss of power due to lower energy content in air/fuel mixture NOx emissions can be limited to order of magnitude less

than from petrol engine development work needed to develop fuel injection

techniques and re-design combustion chamber and cooling system topography to suit hydrogen (rather than simply converting existing IC engines)


Fuel cells use chemical process to convert H2 into electrical energy

and heat not limited by Carnot efficiency high power density (i.e. high power output per unit area,

volume, or mass) different types of cell distinguished by their different

electrolytes and different operating temperatures high efficiency across most of output power range

(especially at low load) compare with IC engine over whole drive cycle

balance of plant is a barrier

Hydrogen end-use systems - fuel cell typesType of fuel cell Electrolyte

Mobile ion

Operatingtemperature

Typical efficiencyAlkaline Potassium hydroxide

(85 wt% high T)(35-50 wt% low T)

OH-

50 - 90(200) oC

Proton exchangemembrane (PEM)

PolymericH+

50 - 125 oC

40% +Phosphoric acid(PAFC)

Orthophosphoric acidH+

~ 220 oC

Molten carbonate(MCFC)

Lithium/potassiumcarbonate mixture

CO32-

~ 650 oC

Solid oxide(SOFC)

Stabilised zirconia

O2-

500 - 1000 oC

Direct methanol Sulphuric acid or polymer 50 - 120 oC

Fuel cell markets

Fuel Cells

Mobile Stationary Portable

Propulsion

Auxiliary power

Industrial CHP 100 kW 10 MW

Residential CHP 5 kW 100 kW

Consumer electronics

Military hardware (backpack)


Clean Urban Transport for Europe (CUTE) 30 fuel cell powered buses

in 10 European cities each city has a different

hydrogen supply chain in Hamburg the hydrogen

will be supplied by electrolysis using wind-generated electricity

Hydrogen transition pathways

Characteristics of large technical systems (with Dr Jim Watson, SPRU)

Consequences of the scale of hydrogen systems on environmental benefits, dangers of lock-in, knock-on effects on other energy sectors

Object of study in current Tyndall Centre project

Lessons from the development of large technical systems (1)

Large technical systems have three distinct features (Thomas Hughes, 1983): technical (e.g. power stations, transmission lines) and non-technical

(e.g. distribution companies, environmental laws) component sets horizontal and vertical interconnection of components (change in one

part of the system has knock-on effects in others) control component based on technical system, economic system

(e.g. wholesale power market), and regulatory system (e.g. OFGEM) Large technological systems enshrine powerful vested interests The hydrogen energy economy could be seen as a direct

challenge to the current energy system


The early development of the electricity supply industry from Edisons Electric Light Company (1878) chaotic with many small power companies electric lighting was considerably more expensive than gas lighting

and so had to be sold on novelty and prestige value the growth of electric motors for use by industry finally decided

matters the battle of the systems between AC and DC transmission lasted

for several years and was not always based on scientific arguments following victory of AC transmission there were still many small

private companies, many using different frequencies, voltages, and standards

to economies of scale in the 1920s need for load management advances in steam turbine technology


The electricity supply industry after the 1920s: In the US, large numbers of small networks were bought up and

connected using common frequency and voltage standards in private utilities

In the UK, a national grid structure emerged in similar way, to be nationalised in 1947

Economies of scale reinforced the case for centralisation, whether state-owned or private monopolies

The modern industry is dominated by vested interests, (sometimes uncomfortably) balanced by a growth in the power of the regulator

CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY

STORAGE, DISTRIBUTION & DELIVERY

END-USE SYSTEMPRIMARY ENERGY

METHANE

GAS, LIQUID, OR SOLID STATE STORAGE

FUEL CELL CHP SYSTEM

ELECTRIC GRID

ON-SITE ELECTROLYSIS

NATIONAL GAS GRID

HYDROGEN

CENTRAL STEAM METHANE REFORMER (SMR)

CO2 CO2 sequestration feasible

MICRO GAS TURBINE CHP

SYSTEM

WIND WIND TURBINEIC VEHICLE

Liquid H2 storage

CO2

ON-BOARD REFORMER

ON-SITE SMR

CO2

CO2 sequestration uneconomic

GAS TURBINE

CO2

HYDROGEN FC VEHICLE Solid state H2

storage

CO2 savings from 1 GWh of wind energy

1 GWh of wind energy

saves:

Coal-fired power station 0.3

1000 t of CO2

Grid electricity

430 t of CO2

Combined cycle gas turbine

0.55

345 t of CO2

Nuclear power

0 t of CO2 IC H2 car

140 t of CO2

Fuel cell car

270 t of CO2

Electrolyser0.7

How much hydrogen is required?

UK passenger cars (2000) : 380 x 109 vehicle km Petrol (at 8.4 litres / 100 km) : 31.9 x 109 litres Hydrogen (at 1.25 kg / 100 km): 52.8 x 109 Nm3

Electricity (el = 0.69, LHV) : 230 x 109 kWh Wind turbine capacity (40%) : 65,500 MW Natural gas (SMR = 0.81) : 16.3 x 109 Nm3

UK net electricity (2001) : 365 x 109 kWh UK gas production (2001) : 102.0 x 109 Nm3

UK gas reserves (2001) : 1,535 x 109 Nm3

The route to the hydrogen economyP

rodu

ct P

erfo

rman

ce

The Past The Present The Future

-

The transitionis messy

Time

2020 ?

The internal combustion engine led to the oil

industry

The fuel cell may lead to the

hydrogen economy

Source: Shell Hydrogen

EC High Level Group on Hydrogen and Fuel Cells

European Commission, Hydrogen Energy and Fuel Cells: A Vision For Our Future, June 2003

Publications

Dutton, A.G., The Hydrogen Economy and Carbon Abatement Implications and Challenges for Wind Energy, Wind Engineering, Vol. 27, No. 4, p. 239-256, 2003

Dutton, A.G., Watson, J., Bristow, A., Page, M., Pridmore, A., Integrating Hydrogen into the UK Energy Economy, 1st European Hydrogen Energy Conference (EHEC), Grenoble, France, 2-5 September 2003

Dutton, A.G., Hydrogen Energy Technology, Tyndall Working Paper No. 17, April 2002 (available on-line at http://www.tyndall.ac.uk/publications/working_papers/wp17.pdf)

Dutton, A.G., Bleijs, J.A.M., Dienhart, H., Falchetta, M., Hug, W.,Prischich, D., Ruddell, A.J., Experience in the design, sizing, economics, and implementation of autonomous wind-powered hydrogen production systems, Int. J. of Hydrogen Energy, Vol. 25, p. 705-722, 2000
http://www.tyndall.ac.uk/publications/working_papers/wp17.pdfhttp://www.tyndall.ac.uk/publications/working_papers/wp17.pdf

Conclusions

The carbon dioxide emissions benefits of different hydrogen fuelchains must be compared with those from alternative fuels.

It is necessary to consider electrical energy production, heating, and supply of transport fuels in a single framework.

A fully developed hydrogen economy in the transport sector wouldrequire at least a doubling of electrical energy demand, if the hydrogen is to be supplied exclusively by electrolysis.

Accelerated installation of renewable, carbon-free electricity generating capacity (biomass, offshore wind, wave, tidal, and possibly nuclear) would be required to fulfil the increased electrical requirement.

The major conventional alternative would be large scale steam reforming of natural gas (with carbon dioxide sequestration).

Innovative hydrogen production methods need to be developed e.g. hydrogen production from biological processes and by thermo-chemical water-splitting reactions.

Thank-you for listening!

For more information, please visit:UK Hydrogen Energy Network:

www.h2net.org.uk

Or e-mail: [email protected]
http://www.h2net.org.uk/mailto:[email protected]: The Fuel of the Future?The Hydrogen EconomyThe Hydrogen Economy - DriversPIU Report (2002)Energy White Paper (2003) 3 challengesEnergy White Paper (2003) 4 goalsThe Hydrogen EconomyHydrogen production - current statusHydrogen productionHydrogen production - SMRHydrogen production - SMRHydrogen production - electrolysis of waterHydrogen production cost estimatesHydrogen storageStored H2 per mass and per volume: metal hydrides, carbon nanotubes, petrol and other hydrocarbonsHydrogen distribution and transportHydrogen distribution and transportHydrogen end-use systemsHydrogen end-use systemsHydrogen end-use systems - fuel cell typesFuel cell marketsHydrogen end-use systemsHydrogen end-use systemsHydrogen transition pathwaysLessons from the development of large technical systems (1)Lessons from the development of large technical systems (2)Lessons from the development of large technical systems (3)How much hydrogen is required?The route to the hydrogen economyEC High Level Group on Hydrogen and Fuel CellsEC High Level Group on Hydrogen and Fuel CellsPublicationsConclusions

dutton hydrogen economy iop nov2003

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