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System-level energy efficiency is the greatest barrier to development of the hydrogen economy

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  • Page, Shannon
  • Krumdieck, Susan

Abstract

Current energy research investment policy in New Zealand is based on assumed benefits of transitioning to hydrogen as a transport fuel and as storage for electricity from renewable resources. The hydrogen economy concept, as set out in recent commissioned research investment policy advice documents, includes a range of hydrogen energy supply and consumption chains for transport and residential energy services. The benefits of research and development investments in these advice documents were not fully analyzed by cost or improvements in energy efficiency or green house gas emissions reduction. This paper sets out a straightforward method to quantify the system-level efficiency of these energy chains. The method was applied to transportation and stationary heat and power, with hydrogen generated from wind energy, natural gas and coal. The system-level efficiencies for the hydrogen chains were compared to direct use of conventionally generated electricity, and with internal combustion engines operating on gas- or coal-derived fuel. The hydrogen energy chains were shown to provide little or no system-level efficiency improvement over conventional technology. The current research investment policy is aimed at enabling a hydrogen economy without considering the dramatic loss of efficiency that would result from using this energy carrier.

Suggested Citation

  • Page, Shannon & Krumdieck, Susan, 2009. "System-level energy efficiency is the greatest barrier to development of the hydrogen economy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(9), pages 3325-3335, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:37:y:2009:i:9:p:3325-3335
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hammerschlag, Roel & Mazza, Patrick, 2005. "Questioning hydrogen," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 33(16), pages 2039-2043, November.
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    1. Hanley, Emma S. & Deane, JP & Gallachóir, BP Ó, 2018. "The role of hydrogen in low carbon energy futures–A review of existing perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 3027-3045.
    2. Görling, Martin & Larsson, Mårten & Alvfors, Per, 2013. "Bio-methane via fast pyrolysis of biomass," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 440-447.
    3. Monteiro, Marcos Roberto & Kugelmeier, Cristie Luis & Pinheiro, Rafael Sanaiotte & Batalha, Mario Otávio & da Silva César, Aldara, 2018. "Glycerol from biodiesel production: Technological paths for sustainability," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 109-122.
    4. Murphy, Jerry D. & Browne, James & Allen, Eoin & Gallagher, Cathal, 2013. "The resource of biomethane, produced via biological, thermal and electrical routes, as a transport biofuel," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 474-479.
    5. Mohamed, Ayman & Hasan, Ala & Sirén, Kai, 2014. "Fulfillment of net-zero energy building (NZEB) with four metrics in a single family house with different heating alternatives," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 385-399.
    6. Mason, I.G. & Page, S.C. & Williamson, A.G., 2010. "A 100% renewable electricity generation system for New Zealand utilising hydro, wind, geothermal and biomass resources," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(8), pages 3973-3984, August.

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