Why Hydrogen Fuel?
Hydrogen has several features that make it a serious contender as an alternative fuel. It can be produced from various domestic sources, including renewable sources; it can reduce emissions to near zero while maintaining performance; and it can now be safely stored and transported. An immediate motive for moving to hydrogen is its potential to improve urban air quality. In the longer term, such a transition would also benefit the balance of payments and the energy security of the U.S. by reducing dependence on foreign oil. Because hydrogen is a manufactured fuel, it is likely to cost more than fossil fuels for at least several decades. The cost issue means that researchers need to exploit the use of hydrogen fuel in those applications that have the highest leverage or payoff. One obvious application is in transportation. The energy efficiency of today’s automobiles is only about18%. Despite its many advantages, hydrogen has yet to become a significant transportation fuel, even in advan
