Status of advanced electrolytic hydrogen production in the United States and abroad

Abstract

For the past five years the Department of Energy has sponsored a program aimed at the development of advanced technology for the electrolytic production of hydrogen. The original goal was to create a large-scale hydrogen production capability in the United States which would be based upon non-fossil energy resources and would be suitable for commercialization by industry as markets would be realized. Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) has been assigned technical responsibility for a program which addresses hardware development at three industrial contractors as well as supporting fundamental research at BNL and several university laboratories. Recently, revised federal guidelines and budgetary reductions have resulted in a reversal of priorities which favor longer-range research activities and which virtually eliminate the support of large-scale development engineering and test projects. Programs at BNL have been redirected reflecting these revised guidelines and emphasizing longer-term research activities. In view of the change in programmatic direction it is appropriate to provide an overview of the current status of electrolytic hydrogen production. A survey of international pursuits in advanced water electrolysis technology is provided based upon progress reported via International Energy Agency Agreements.