Chapter 5 - Where Will the Hydrogen Come From? System Considerations and Hydrogen Supply

Abstract

This chapter discusses how the evolution of a future hydrogen supply might be affected by the complex factors, and sometimes conflicting goals, that determine the best production and distribution pathways for a given location and level of demand. The degree to which hydrogen's potential benefits can be realized and the cost of doing so depends critically on how the hydrogen is produced and delivered, as well as how it is used. Clearly, not all ''well-to-wheels" pathways for hydrogen production and use are equally attractive in terms of economics, resource availability, sustainability, security, or environmental advantages. There are many possible supply options for hydrogen including central steam reforming of natural gas with distribution of hydrogen via compressed gas or liquid hydrogen truck or pipeline, recovery of hydrogen from chemical processes with distribution of hydrogen, onsite production of hydrogen via small scale steam reforming of natural gas at the refueling station, centralized production of hydrogen via electrolysis, and decentralized solar or wind powered electrolysis. Furthermore, to keep hydrogen costs relatively low during a transition, it is desirable to match hydrogen supply capacity fairly closely with the changing level of hydrogen demand. This avoids the expense of having underutilized hydrogen production plants and distribution systems. Building a hydrogen supply will require coordination among many of the entities that have a stake in the transportation energy system, and possibly others such as the chemical industry.