Distributed hydrogen

Specifically, compensation by independently distributed hydrogen accep-... 

A National Academy of Sciences committee estimated that the transition to a hydrogen economy could take decades, since tough challenges remain. These include how to produce, store and distribute hydrogen in adequate quantities and at reasonable costs without releasing greenhouse gases. 

The aim of this section is to demonstrate that the feasibility of a distributed hydrogen system based on methane ATR is the result of a combination between optimized engineering (design and operation) and catalyst (formulation and support structures and geometry). 

The start of Phase 3 is dependent on a positive commercialisation decision for fuel cell vehicles in 2015. A positive decision will attract investment in infrastructure for manufacturing fuel cells and for producing and distributing hydrogen. Government policies still may be required to nurture this infrastructure expansion phase. 

Focus on distributed hydrogen-related energy systems. 

The hydrogen strategy is to focus on distributed hydrogen related energy systems, network with international activities (EU, lEA, Nordic), and connect with fuel cell activities in Finland. Finland s fuel cell strategy is a bit more developed, with plans to focus on systems, fuel cell demonstrations and applications, build a close relationship with industry to create a national fuel cell group, and network with international fuel cell initiatives. 

Distributed hydrogen production via small-scale reforming is less costly than centralized production. Distributed hydrogen production would be attractive especially in the early stages of a hydrogen economy. Hydrogen could be provided where it was needed, allowing supply to match demand. 

Danielson, D., The Prospects for Solar-powered Distributed Hydrogen Production, Term Paper Sustainable Energy, 2004. 

Early work by Tonkovich et al. [46] dealt with a heat exchanger/reactor containing catalyst powder for the partial oxidation of methane for distributed hydrogen production. The intention was to run the reaction safely in a micro structured reactor owing to the short residence times applied and the improved heat removal avoiding hot-spot formation. 

Hydrogen can be produced from most fossil fuels (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil, etc.). The complexity of the processes varies. Since carbon dioxide is produced as a byproduct, C02 should be captured and stored to ensure a sustainable (zero-emission) process. The feasibility and viability of the processes will vary with respect to a centralised or distributed hydrogen production plant. 

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