Title: An Integrated Hydrogen Vision for California
Publication Information: White Paper Prepared with Support from the Steven and Michele Kirsch Foundation
Report Number: Kirsch-H2-Final
Author(s): Timothy Lipman, Daniel Kammen, Joan Ogden, Daniel Sperling, Anthony Eggert, Peter Lehman, Susan Shaheen, and David Shearer
Document Date: 7/9/04
Number of Pages: 74
Price: $0
Abstract:
This paper concerns the economic and environmental challenges
confronting California and the potential role for clean energy systems
and hydrogen as an energy carrier in helping to address these
challenges. Hydrogen in particular has recently gained great attention
as part of a set of solutions to a variety of energy and environmental
problems--and based on this potential the current high level of
interest is understandable. In the authors' view, however, full
realization of the benefits that hydrogen can offer will not be
possible without a clear strategy for producing sustainable hydrogen
from clean and sustainable sources and in a cost-effective manner. One
of hydrogen's greatest benefits--having a wide range of potential
feedstocks for its production--also complicates this issue of how
hydrogen use may be expanded and necessitates careful forethought as
key technology paths unfold. We must remember that the additional cost
and complexity of building a hydrogen infrastructure is only justified
if significant benefits to society are in fact likely to accrue. This
paper has been written for two primary purposes. First, the authors
argue that the time is ripe for an expanded science and technology
initiative in California for clean energy development and greater
end-use energy efficiency. This initiative should span transportation
systems, electrical power generation, and natural gas and other fuel
use, and it should place the potential for expanded use of hydrogen
within this broader context. Second, the authors specifically discuss
potential concepts and strategies that California might employ as it
continues to explore the use of hydrogen in transportation and
stationary settings. The authors believe that at this stage the
question is not if California should continue with these efforts to
expand hydrogen use, because these efforts are already underway, but
how these efforts should be structured given the level of effort that
ultimately emerges through various political and corporate strategy
processes. However, the authors feel that it is critical that these
efforts take place in the context of a broader "no regrets" clean
energy strategy.
Keywords:
Hydrogen, Transportation, Distributed Generation, Energy Use, Policy