Energy industries future hydrogen fuel

The electric energy requirement for a future world hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle fleet that could replace the conventional vehicle fleet by 2050 has been estimated (Kruger, 2001, 2005). The parameters of the hydrogen vehicle fleet (HFleet) electric energy demand model, the extrapolated input values for 2010 (the date when industrial production is likely to start), and the historical mean annual growth rates are summarised in Table 2 together with current forecast values. 

Once MNT-enabled solar energy becomes the exclusive energy source, problems such as acid rain and smog should not exist. In addition, future vehicles that are constructed from nano-materials, driven by nano-electromechanical systems and powered by hydrogen fuel cells (see Fig. 7) or solar cells (see Fig. 8) should totally eliminate transportation-related S02 and NOx emission. Therefore, the anthropogenic release of S02 and NOx that has assaulted the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution should be ceased further acidification of the environment and the threat to human health will be relieved [31-33]. 

It is difficult to be at all quantitative as to when and to what degree these various possible applications will come to pass. Among the many factors which will determine the future energy scene are technical factors (advances in fuel cells, electric vehicles, electrolyzers, LH2 fuelled aircraft, etc.), environment factors (SO2 emissions, mining of fossil fuels, etc.) and, of course, the ubiquitous economics and politics which control all major human activities. What does seem clear is that, in the early years, synthetic fluid fuels will be manufactured by steam reforming, both for economic reasons and for institutional reasons associated with the expertise of the petroleum and gas industries. Electrolytic hydrogen will enter upon the scene more slowly, as it will be dependent upon the availability of cheap or surplus electricity and will tend to be produced by the chemical industry or electricity utilities rather than by the fuel industries. Moreover, its first use is likely to be for chemical synthesis, rather than as a fuel. 

H2 Various hydrogenations, as e g. the fat hydrogenation in the food industry and the desulphurization in refineries, energy carrier for fuel cells and a future hydrogen infrastructure... 

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