The Power and Transportation Future

Chapter eight discusses the power and energy and transportation future which includes hydrogen and fuel cells. Related topics involve renewables and solar satellite power. The chapter concludes several possible future scenarios and trends in nuclear power. 

The hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicle is seen by many as the power plant for future light and heavy-duty transportation, and even stationary sources. The fuel cell is often seen as a panacea because of its virtually zero criteria emissions, little or perhaps no C02 emissions, and complete independence from imported petroleum. However, in the light duty vehicle sector, the hydrogen powered fuel cell faces an array of enormous challenges. 

The electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol has been widely investigated for exploitation in the so-called direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). The most likely type of DMFC to be commercialized in the near future seems to be the polymer electrolyte membrane DMFC using proton exchange membrane, a special form of low-temperature fuel cell based on PEM technology. In this cell, methanol (a liquid fuel available at low cost, easily handled, stored, and transported) is dissolved in an acid electrolyte and burned directly by air to carbon dioxide. The prominence of the DMFCs with respect to safety, simple device fabrication, and low cost has rendered them promising candidates for applications ranging from portable power sources to secondary cells for prospective electric vehicles. Notwithstanding, DMFCs were... 

The remaining nearly pure H2 stream could be burned in a combined cycle power plant to generate electricity, but H2 turbines require further development. Power fuel cells and transportation fuels are alternative options for using H2 in the future, currently under development. 

While the production of hydrogen is a relatively small source of C02 nowadays, it is usually produced in large installations with, in many cases, C02 separation technology already in place. Currently, the C02 produced from hydrogen production is used in the food industry or (in most cases) vented to the atmosphere. In future, hydrogen may well play an important role in two of the largest C02 emitting sectors, namely power production and transport. 

Canadian interests span into hydrogen production, delivery and utilization, primarily in fuel cell applications in transportation, stationary and portable systems. Furthermore, codes and standards for hydrogen systems are an important area of activity. The range of future electrical requirements for early adopters, such as the military, is very wide with numerous applications for various electrically powered systems. The introduction of hydrogen as an energy carrier into the commercial and military sector offer similar and sometimes unique challenges in all the areas discussed. 

Coal, as the most abnndant and widely distribnted fossil fuel, can be mined with modem techniques, transported and stored efficiently and cost-effectively. International coal trade is growing steadily and there is vigorons competition on supply and price. But coal s future commercial development depends critically on its envi-romnental acceptability and in particular on the snccess of the power generation indnstry in reducing snlfurous and other polluting emissions. 

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