Hydrogen as a fuel source for vehicles: Options for a hydrogen bus energy supply system based on economic and environmental considerations

Abstract

Hydrogen is a potential solution to transport's environmental challenge However. current production and delivery methods may make hydrogen no more environmentally friendly than many other transport fuels, Transporting hydrogen IS difficult and energy Intensive Given the right production and delivery system, a future Hydrogen economy could address environmental Issues and other major areas of concern such as energy security and shortage This research focuses on the viable pathways to deliver hydrogen for fleet vehicles. Drawing on a range of sources, including the recent Clean Urban Transport for Europe (CUTE) demonstration projects, the research models a set of pathway options comparing:- • Economics - the cost of hydrogen for fleet vehicles compared to a base diesel reference case, • Environmental issues - CO2 equivalent emissions for each of the pathways Overall, the results of this research will show that:- • Hydrogen is potentially competitive with diesel in terms of cost of production, but not for cost of distribution. Overall distribution costs make hydrogen pathways more expensive than diesel. • Localised production of hydrogen is not competitive with centralised production at present. so it is likely that a hydrogen distribution system is going to be needed It is possible that future localised production systems may be competitive but would depend on reduced capital equipment costs. • The cheapest hydrogen pathways may not be the pathways with the least emissions • The storage of hydrogen appears to be a major part of distribution costs. • Gaseous hydrogen delivery by road tanker can only meet small niche markets. • Transporting hydrogen in liquid state is not viable for any supply chain lengths and demands in the UK (within the boundaries of this model ie: 200km and 5,000kg I day). • Gaseous hydrogen delivery by pipeline is needed if a reasonable uptake is sought. This would require significant investment.