Hydrogen

Report 6:2002
Hydrogen

Bjørnar Kruse, Sondre Grinna, Cato Buch

Bellona Report 6:02, "Hydrogen - Status and possibilities"

Published by Bellona Foundation 2002

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Contents

Preface

In a global perspective, hydrogen as an energy carrier will be of central importance in diminishing the greenhouse effect and local pollution.

Abstract

The world now faces tremendous challenges associated with greenhouse gas emissions, climatic change, and the need for a sustainable development.

Introduction

The atmosphere contains greenhouse gases, of which CO₂, CH₄, N₂O and H₂O are the primary ones.

Visions and challenges

Jules Verne was well updated on new technologies and patents, and loved to portray the use of them. Verne was aware of the fuel cell technology that had been patented in 1839 when he wrote The Mysterious Island.

Hydrogen technologies

The hydrogen atom is made up of a nucleus with positive charge and one electron. The hydrogen molecule is made up of two hydrogen atoms and is the most basic of all molecules.

The Transportation Sector

The transportation sector accounts for 31% of the total energy usage in the EU. 98% of the sector uses petroleum-based fuel.

The Energy Sector

The energy sector, as with transportation, is a heavy user of fossil fuels. 85% of the world’s commercial sale of energy is based on fossil fuels. About 35,000 TWh – 1/3 of the world’s total primary energy consumption – is used to produce electricity.

Safety

Energy carriers used as fuel are by definition explosive and fire hazards. Different types of fuel have quite varying physical properties, and must therefore be handled differently. No fuel system can be described as totally safe, but the risk of accidents can be reduced significantly by appropriate storage, handling and transportation methods.

References

Appendix 1: Physical data for hydrogen

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