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Project Title:

Investigation of the ""Opportunities and Risks in the increased use of Hydrogen""

Ref.No.: 194

Project Type and Category:

Basic research

Project Duration:

1992

Project Participants:

Office for the Estimation of Technology Consequences of the German Bundestag, LBST, Cooperation: DLR

Sponsor:

The German Bundestag

Project Budget and
Funding:

#

Project Description and Objectives:

In an investigation completed in 1991 by the DLR and 7 sub-contracted Institutions under commission of the German Bundestag, the conditions and consequences of development strategies for solar energy hydrogen production and utilization were opened for discussion. As a result, it was accepted that the introduction of solar energy hydrogen production and utilization was both technically and financially feasible but that substantial contributions to the energy economy would not be available before the year 2015. It was concluded that before that time such applications albeit sensible and desirable would be limited to selected niche. To make sure that the required technology was available considerable effort in research, development and pilot projects would be necessary now. In consequence of these realisations, the client is pursuing the objective of evaluating the opportunities and risks of a future hydrogen energy source economy from todays perspective using the expertise and experience of industry, research institutions and responsible agencies so as to determine the level of urgency likely to overcome the factors inhibiting its introduction. Of particular interest are safety factors relating to approval, production and operation of hydrogen manufacturing facilities in accordance with current regulations, open technical questions requiring further research structural in respect of the process stages of hydrogen utilization from production to end user.

Technical Goals:

See description

Project Status

Finalized

Preliminary or Final Results:

The conclusion that can be drawn is that hydrogen source energy is just a question of time. Where safety technology is concerned increased usage will not present difficulties — even for non-specialists. Opportunities for the successful utilisation of hydrogen source energy lie in the timely development of technology so as to be competitive and able to enter new application area (aviation) before other suppliers. The greatest reservations concern affordability and lack of political direction.
A further chapter deals with levels of pollutant emissions consequent upon the increased use of hydrogen source energy in a given scenario. Compared with the use of fossile fuels hydrogen source energy produces little CO2 and less emissions of H2O, H2 and other pollutants.

Related Reference Papers and Other Publications:

www.lbst.de

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Project Title: Investigation of the ""Opportunities and Risks in the increased use of Hydrogen""		Ref.No.: 194
Project Type and Category:	Basic research
Project Duration:	1992
Project Participants:	Office for the Estimation of Technology Consequences of the German Bundestag, LBST, Cooperation: DLR
Sponsor:	The German Bundestag
Project Budget and Funding:	#
Project Description and Objectives:	In an investigation completed in 1991 by the DLR and 7 sub-contracted Institutions under commission of the German Bundestag, the conditions and consequences of development strategies for solar energy hydrogen production and utilization were opened for discussion. As a result, it was accepted that the introduction of solar energy hydrogen production and utilization was both technically and financially feasible but that substantial contributions to the energy economy would not be available before the year 2015. It was concluded that before that time such applications albeit sensible and desirable would be limited to selected niche. To make sure that the required technology was available considerable effort in research, development and pilot projects would be necessary now. In consequence of these realisations, the client is pursuing the objective of evaluating the opportunities and risks of a future hydrogen energy source economy from todays perspective using the expertise and experience of industry, research institutions and responsible agencies so as to determine the level of urgency likely to overcome the factors inhibiting its introduction. Of particular interest are safety factors relating to approval, production and operation of hydrogen manufacturing facilities in accordance with current regulations, open technical questions requiring further research structural in respect of the process stages of hydrogen utilization from production to end user.
Technical Goals:	See description
Project Status	Finalized
Preliminary or Final Results:	The conclusion that can be drawn is that hydrogen source energy is just a question of time. Where safety technology is concerned increased usage will not present difficulties — even for non-specialists. Opportunities for the successful utilisation of hydrogen source energy lie in the timely development of technology so as to be competitive and able to enter new application area (aviation) before other suppliers. The greatest reservations concern affordability and lack of political direction. A further chapter deals with levels of pollutant emissions consequent upon the increased use of hydrogen source energy in a given scenario. Compared with the use of fossile fuels hydrogen source energy produces little CO2 and less emissions of H2O, H2 and other pollutants.
Related Reference Papers and Other Publications:	www.lbst.de