Hydrogen production resources

In contrast to fossil energy resources such as oil, natural gas, and coal, which are unevenly distributed geographically, primary sources for hydrogen production are available virtually eveiywhere in the world. The choice of a primary source for hydrogen production can be made based on the best local resource. 

Fuel reforming is popular way for hydrogen production for fuel cell use. Hydrocarbons are used for the fuel resource. Methane (CH4) steam reforming process consists of the following two gas phase reactions with various catalysts. 

Water sources could be another problem for hydrogen production, particularly in sunny regions that are well-suited for solar power. A study by the World Resources Institute in Washington, D.C. estimated that obtaining adequate hydrogen with electrolysis would require more than 4 trillion gallons of water yearly. This is equal to the flow over Niagara Falls every 90 days. Water consumption in the U.S. could increase by about 10%. 

In the light of the projected growth of demand for energy services, particularly electricity, there is a renewed interest in the extension of nuclear power in some countries. With uranium being a finite resource as well, Chapter 4 focuses primarily on the question of a future expansion of nuclear power in the context of the availability of nuclear fuels. Moreover, the evolution of the next generation of nuclear reactors, such as breeder reactors or reactors suitable for hydrogen production, is addressed. 

Resources such as biomass could provide a clean and sustainable resource for hydrogen production. As with fossil fuels, the processes that produce hydrogen gas from biomass all create carbon dioxide, but because the biomass acts as a carbon sink during the growing phase, the net carbon emission of the whole cycle is neutral. 

The hydrogen production mix is very sensitive to the country-specific context and strongly influenced by the assumed feedstock prices resource availability and policy support also play a role, in particular for hydrogen from renewable and nuclear energy. 

Long-term resources for hydrogen production in the USA realising zero emissions... 

Ultimately, we would like to make hydrogen from zero or near-zero carbon sources. There are plentiful near-zero carbon resources for hydrogen production in the United States. For example, a mix of low-carbon resources, including natural gas,... 

Both the production of hydrogen from coal and the production of oil from unconventional resources (oil sands, oil shale, CTL, GTL) result in high C02 emissions and substantially increase the carbon footprint of fuel supply, unless the C02 is captured and stored. While the capture of C02 at a central point source is equally possible for unconventionals and centralised hydrogen production, in the case of hydrogen, a C02-free fuel results, unlike in the case of liquid hydrocarbon fuels. This is all the more important, as around 80% of the WTW C02 emissions result from the fuel use in the vehicles. If CCS were applied to hydrogen production from biomass, a net C02 removal from the atmosphere would even be achievable. 

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