Hydrogen, meeting the energy challenges of the 21st century

Magazine alternatives n°16, 4th quarter 2007

Author : Pierre Malbrunot, Tapan Bose, Publications : John Libbey Eurotext
Publication date : 2007, 96 pages

Hydrogen is now frequently identified as a potential source of energy. Experimental programs to use this energy are being launched in the United States, Germany, Iceland and elsewhere. In France, research and development programs are being carried out by the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), Air Liquide, Gaz de France and major carmakers under the umbrella of international cooperative agreements. Yet very few books present in simple terms the current status of this form of energy. That is one of the qualities of this book. The authors remind us first that hydrogen is not really an energy "source", since there is no natural "deposit" of hydrogen on earth. It can be extracted by gasifying cellulosic biomass and especially via electrolysis of water. However, this process requires the use of another energy source, which must be cheap enough for the whole operation to be profitable. Nuclear power and wind energy appear to fit the bill. Hydrogen can be used in fuel cells of various sizes to supply energy to buildings, vehicles or small equipment such as laptops, mobile phones, etc. Although they present all the hydrogen applications imaginable, the authors are not afraid to point out the drawbacks and technical impediments to their development.