Energy Innovation and Business Unit
Hydrogen– the DTI Perspective
Financing the Hydrogen Revolution
Thursday 26th February 2004
Bronwen Northmore
Department of Trade and Industry
1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET
[email protected]
Energy Innovation and Business Unit
Why hydrogen?
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environmental benefits
– zero emissions at point of use
– potential for zero carbon emissions
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competitiveness
security of supply
the American dimension
Energy Innovation and Business Unit
What will the Hydrogen
Revolution look like?
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Transport
CHP
Localised electricity production where
the economics are favourable
Unlikely ever to be an alternative source
for centralised power generation
Energy Innovation and Business Unit
Hydrogen energy covers the entire energy chain, with
fuel cells being a key component of most chains
Storage
Production
Distribution
Conversion
Application
Fuel cells fit here, and are the most logical means of
hydrogen energy conversion in many situations. However,
they are not the only possible conversion device
Hydrogen energy is fuel-specific and technology-neutral
Fuel cells are technology-specific and fuel-neutral
Energy Innovation and Business Unit
Barriers
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production
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storage
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distribution
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safety & public perceptions
Energy Innovation and Business Unit
Hydrogen production
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from fossil fuels
– gas, oil or coal
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by electrolysis
– electricity from fossil fuel, renewables or nuclear
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by advanced methods
– photochemical, photobiological, fermentation etc
Energy Innovation and Business Unit
Hydrogen storage
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current technologies
– compressed gas, cryogenic liquid
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advanced technologies
– hydrides, carbon nanotubes etc
A breakthrough is required for on-board vehicle
storage
Energy Innovation and Business Unit
Hydrogen distribution
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By road (liquid or compressed gas)
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By pipeline
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or, manufacture on-site
Energy Innovation and Business Unit
Hydrogen – safety and public
perceptions
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myths and realities
differences between use by industry
and use by consumers
need codes and standards, and public
outreach
Energy Innovation and Business Unit
Hydrogen in the UK – now
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Strong university research base
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Some leading companies
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Regional activities
Energy Innovation and Business Unit
UK Government Support Structure
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Basic research – EPSRC, NERC, Others
– Responsive mode
– Directed programmes
– UKERC
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Industrial R&D – DTI
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R,D & D, investment – Carbon Trust
Energy Innovation and Business Unit
Funding
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EPSRC, NERC
– Responsive mode - £0.5m pa
– SUPERGEN - £3.4m/4 years for hydrogen
– TSEC (Towards a Sustainable Energy Economy)
DTI
– Advanced fuel cells programme - £2m pa
– April call for fuel cells
– Hydrogen programme?
Carbon Trust
Energy Innovation and Business Unit
Challenges for Government
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Need a UK hydrogen strategy!
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Address fragmentation.
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How should we position ourselves in relation to
international initiatives?
Web address for initial study:
www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sepn
Energy Innovation and Business Unit
International Collaboration
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IEA Implementing Agreements – Hydrogen,
Fuel Cells, Greenhouse Gas
IEA Hydrogen Coordination Group
EC Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Technology
Platform
International Partnership for the Hydrogen
Economy