How will hydrogen fuel cells change the world?

Why Do We Need a New Fuel Source?

• Currently our machinery runs on oil• Oil pollutes and there are limited supplies• Hydrogen is the most abundant element

in the known universe • Hydrogen fuel cells do not pollute

How A Hydrogen Fuel Cell Works

• The fuel cell is composed of an anode, an electrolyte membrane in the center, and a cathode.

• Hydrogen flows into the fuel cell anode. Platinum coating on the anode helps to separate the gas into hydrogen ions and electrons. The electrolyte membrane allows only the protons to pass through the membrane to the cathode side of the fuel cell. The electrons cannot pass through this membrane and flow through an external circuit in the form of electric current.

How a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Works

How A Hydrogen Fuel Cell Works

• Hydrogen fuel cells are very efficient compared to what we have now.

Where Will Hydrogen Come From?

• Hydrogen is not readily available for consumer use yet.

• To get around this problem, hydrogen will be extracted from other, more conventional types of fuels by a device called a reformer.

• A fuel like natural gas is reformed into hydrogen which will then go on to power a fuel cell.

Where Will Hydrogen Come From?

• Natural gas comes from mostly the US, so even before the switch to pure hydrogen is made, we will get our fuel domestically.

• Natural gas production could peak by 2025

Bush Administration’s Hydrogen Commitment

• 500 metric tons of carbon saved each year by 2040

• Reduce demand for oil by 11 million barrels per day by 2040

• Child born in 2003 to drive a hydrogen car at age 16

Hydrogen Powered Cars• Hydrogen cars run clean. • 500 cubic tons of carbon removed from

atmosphere by 2040• New design possibilities

because of compact hydrogen fuel cell stack.

• Stack of 200 cellsis the size of a home PC.

Hydrogen Powered Cars• Quieter operation than normal cars

because of no moving parts in the fuel cell stack and electric motors at the wheels.

• Possibility of interchangeable bodies.

GM Hy-Wire Concept Car• Skateboard-like

chassis with snap-on body.

• No engine compartment, larger cabin.

• 82hp engine• 0-62 mph. in 16

seconds

Honda FCX Concept Car• Max speed 93 Mph• 80hp produced• 201 lb-ft torque• No snap-on body• More realistic• 5th generation

Hydrogen in the Home and Office

• Hydrogen fuel cells will power and heat homes and offices.

• Hopefully this will start in about 10 years.• The hydrogen will come from natural gas

that has gone through a reformer.• Hydrogen cars can be refueled in the

garage by a hydrogen powered house.

• Much of the world’s and America’s oil comes from the Middle East.

• This is an incredibly volatile region.

• Oil runs the economy in these countries

Hydrogen in Politics

• Hydrogen fuel cells mean a decreased need for Middle Eastern oil.

• Decreased imports by the US means a decreased military presence in the Middle East.

• Possible economic collapse in main oil exporting nations and in places like Saudi Arabia, this could lead to revolution.

• Possible no-win situation for the US.

Hydrogen in Politics

Hydrogen in Politics• Hydrogen fuel cells can be used to power

third world.• In underdeveloped countries, the

governments would not have to go broke importing oil.

• Solar or wind power collectors could produce energy which would make hydrogen.

Conclusion• Hydrogen fuel cells will dramatically

change our cars, how are homes and businesses are powered and heated, and it both positively and negatively change places like the Middle East and third world countries. They will also clean up the world’s air.

Discussion Questions• Do you think the federal government should

help fund the development of hydrogen fuel cell technologies?

• Do you think that hydrogen fuel cells are a viable alternative to oil?

• What aspect of hydrogen fuel cell power interests you the most or what do you think you will benefit most from?

• Questions?

Bibliography• Burns, Lawrence D.; McCormick J. Byron; Borroni-Bird, “Vehicle of Change.” Scientific

American. Vol. 287 Issue 4, Oct. 2002. Page 64.

• “Daily Auto Insider, The.” http://www.caranddriver.com 12 Feb. 2003.

• “Fact Sheet: Hydrogen Fuel: a Clean and Secure Energy Future.” 6 Feb. 2003

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/release/2003/02

• “GM’s Hy-Wire fuel cell concept to be unveiled at Paris Motor Show.” Yahoo Canada Autos. 15

Aug. 2002. http://ca.autos.yahoo.com/020815/11/odrd.html.

• Hall, Larry. “General Motors tries out a Hy-Wire act with new fuel-cell vehicle.” The Oregonian.

25 Jan. 2003.

Bibliography• “How Does a Fuel Cell Work.” http://www.utcfuelcells.com/fuelcell/how_fl.shtml

• “Hydrogen Fuel Initiative Can Make ‘Fundamental Difference:’ Remarks by the President

on Energy Independence.” http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/release/2003/02

• Lavelle, Marianne. “Living Without Oil.” US News and World Report. 17 Feb.2003.

Page 32.

• Rifkin, Jeremy. “The Hydrogen Economy.” Tarcher/Putnam. New York. 2002.

• “U.S. Oil Imports - Top 10 Countries of Origin.”

http://www.ott.doe.gov/facts/archives/fotw246.shtml