Sustainable Development via Hydrogen Energy

Author(s): Marc A. Rosen

 The energy carrier hydrogen is a key facilitator of sustainable energy, via hydrogen energy systems and can contribute significantly to enhancing global sustainability. As easily accessible fossil fuel supplies become increasingly scarce and environmental concerns escalate in impact and expand, hydrogen energy is likely to become an increasingly important. With the world’s energy sources becoming less fossil fuel-based, hydrogen and electricity are expected to be the two dominant energy carriers for the provision of end-use services, in a hydrogen economy. A hydrogen economy involves many types of hydrogen energy systems, which together allow greater use of renewable energy resources. Numerous commercial and pre-commercial processes exist for producing hydrogen from all kinds of fossil fuels as well as from nonfossil fuel sources like solar energy, wind energy, bioenergy energy and various other types of renewable in addition to nuclear energy. Technologies for the storage, transport and distribution of hydrogen also exist and are undergoing development. Technologies are in use and undergoing development for utilizing hydrogen as an energy carrier, especially in transportation and by energy utilities. The technologies needed for hydrogen energy systems are undergoing much research and development, and advances are constantly being made. Routes to hydrogen production are possible from various energy sources. Both renewable and non-renewable energy sources are utilizable for hydrogen production. Renewable energy options are usually considered more sustainable. In this presentation, the role of hydrogen as an energy carrier and facilitator of sustainable energy is described and illustrated, and hydrogen energy systems that can contribute to a sustainable world are reviewed and discussed.

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