U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Fuel Cell Technologies Office

Hydrogen Technical Publications

Technical information about hydrogen published in technical reports, conference proceedings, journal articles, and Web sites is provided here.

General
Production
Delivery
Storage

General

2012 Pathways to Commercial Success: Technologies and Products Supported by the Fuel Cell Technologies Office—This FY 2012 report updates the results of an effort to identify and characterize commercial and near-commercial (emerging) technologies and products that benefited from the support of the Fuel Cell Technologies Office and its predecessor programs within DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. (September 2012).

2011 Pathways to Commercial Success: Technologies and Products Supported by the Fuel Cell Technologies Office—This FY 2011 report updates the results of an effort to identify and characterize commercial and near-commercial (emerging) technologies and products that benefited from the support of the Fuel Cell Technologies Office and its predecessor programs within DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. (September 2011).

2010 Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Global Commercialization Development Update—This report outlines the role hydrogen and fuel cells can play in a portfolio of technology options available to address the energy-related challenges faced by nations around the world. It offers examples of real-world hydrogen and fuel cell applications and the progress of the technologies, including government policies that increase technology development and commercialization. (November 2010).

2010 Pathways to Commercial Success: Technologies and Products Supported by the Fuel Cell Technologies Office—This FY 2010 report updates the results of an effort to identify and characterize commercial and near-commercial (emerging) technologies and products that benefited from the support of the Fuel Cell Technologies Office and its predecessor programs within DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. (August 2010).

IPHE Infrastructure Workshop Proceedings—This proceedings contains information from the IPHE Infrastructure Workshop, a two-day interactive workshop held on February 25-26, 2010, to explore the market implementation needs for hydrogen fueling station development. The workshop was sponsored by the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE), in cooperation with the California Fuel Cell Partnership, U.S. Department of Energy, and National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Results of the 2008/2009 Knowledge and Opinions Surveys Conducted for the U.S. Department of Energy Hydrogen Program —This report presents results of a 2008/2009 survey of hydrogen and fuel cell awareness conducted for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The 2008/2009 survey follows up on a similar DOE survey conducted in 2004, measuring levels of awareness and understanding of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in four populations: (1) the general public, (2) students, (3) personnel in state and local governments, and (4) potential end users of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in business and industry. The 2008/2009 survey includes these four groups and adds a fifth group, safety and code officials. The same survey methods were used for both surveys; the 2008/2009 survey report includes a comparison of 2004 and 2008/2009 findings. Information from these surveys will be used to enhance hydrogen and fuel cell education strategies. (April 2010)

Lifecycle Cost Analysis of Hydrogen Versus Other Technologies for Electrical Energy Storage—This report presents the results of an analysis evaluating the economic viability of hydrogen for medium- to large-scale electrical energy storage applications compared with three other storage technologies: batteries, pumped hydro, and compressed air energy storage (CAES). (November 2009).

Hydrogen Pathways: Cost, Well-to-Wheels Energy Use, and Emissions for the Current Technology Status of Seven Hydrogen Production, Delivery, and Distribution Scenarios—This document reports the levelized cost in 2005 U.S. dollars, energy use, and GHG emission benefits of the seven hydrogen production, delivery, and distribution pathways. Current technology status is reported for each pathway and all technology options have the potential for research and development (R&D) improvements. (September 2009).

2009 Pathways to Commercial Success: Technologies and Products Supported by the Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Infrastructure Technologies Program—This report documents the results of an effort to identify and characterize commercial and near-commercial (emerging) technologies and products that benefited from the support of the Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Infrastructure Technologies Program and its predecessor programs within DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. (August 2009).

Hydrogen Briefing to the Department of Energy—Presentation by Dan Rastler, Electric Power Research Institute, May 27, 2008. Focuses on industrial hydrogen market and home hydrogen electrolyzer studies. (May 2008)

Hydrogen Data Book
DOE's Hydrogen Data Book offers a wide range of information about hydrogen and fuel cells with a focus on hydrogen properties, hydrogen production and delivery data, and fuel cell vehicles. The Hydrogen Data Book is part of the Hydrogen Analysis Resource Center, which provides reliable data that can serve as the basis for hydrogen-related calculations, modeling, and other analytical activities.

Hydrogen Overview Book
Hydrogen & Our Energy Future expands on DOE's series of one-page fact sheets to provide an in-depth look at hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. This overview book provides additional information on the science behind the technology—how it works, benefits over conventional technology, its status, and challenges—and explains how hydrogen and fuel cells fit into our energy portfolio.

2004 Hydrogen Knowledge and Opinions Survey—To better understand what people know and do not know about hydrogen, DOE initiated a multi-year national survey project in 2003. Following a literature review of previous survey efforts, DOE conducted a baseline survey in 2004 of four key audiences—the public, students, state and local government officials, and potential end users in transportation, businesses needing uninterruptible power supplies, and large power users. This data is used to guide the ongoing development of DOE's hydrogen education strategy. Repeat surveys are planned for 2008 and 2011 to measure changes in knowledge and opinions over time. For more information, refer to the overview presentation on the survey. (April 2006)

Basic Research Needs for the Hydrogen Economy—February 2004 update to the report of the Basic Energy Sciences Workshop on Hydrogen Production, Storage, and Use, held May 13–15, 2003. (February 2004)

Consumer Views on Transportation and Energy—Technical report (NREL/TP-620-34468), E. Steiner, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado. (August 2003).

Hydrogen Supply: Cost Estimate for Hydrogen Pathways—Scoping Analysis—Subcontractor report (NREL/SR-540-32525) by D. Simbeck and E. Chang, SFA Pacific, Inc., Mountain View, California, report prepared for National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado. (November 2002).

IEA Agreement on the Production and Utilization of Hydrogen: 2000 Annual Report—Annual report (TP-510-31287), edited by C. C. Elam, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado. (2001).

Survey of the Economics of Hydrogen Technologies—Technical report (NREL/TP-570-27079), C.E.G. Padró and V. Putsche, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado. (September 1999).

Well-to-Wheel Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Advanced Fuel/Vehicle Systems—North American Analysis—Technical report prepared by General Motors Corporation, BP, ExxonMobil, Shell. (June 30, 2001).

Production

Hydrogen Production Cost Estimate Using Biomass Gasification—This independent review report assesses the 2009 state-of-the-art and 2020 projected capital cost, energy efficiency, and levelized cost for hydrogen production from biomass via gasification. The purpose of the review is to gauge progress that industry and the DOE-funded projects have made and to provide guidance regarding direction of future R&D funding. (October 2011).

Solar Thermochemical Hydrogen Production Research (STCH)—Technical Report SAND2011-3622, Sandia National Laboratories. This report documents the evaluation of nine solar thermochemical reaction cycles for the production of hydrogen and identifies the critical path challenges to the commercial potential of each cycle. Robert Perret. (May 2011).

Support for Cost Analyses on Solar-Driven High Temperature Thermochemical Water-Splitting Cycles—This report summarizes the application of chemical process flowsheet analyses and cash flow analyses using DOE's H2A methodology to develop near-term (2015) and longer-term (2025) cost projections for eight solar thermochemical hydrogen production reaction cycles. TIAX LLC. (February 2011).

Technoeconomic Analysis of Photoelectrochemical (PEC) Hydrogen Production—This report documents the engineering and cost characteristics of four PEC hydrogen production systems selected by DOE to represent canonical embodiments of future systems. (December 2009).

Current (2009) State-of-the-Art Hydrogen Production Cost Estimate Using Water Electrolysis—This is an independent review of the estimated 2009 state-of-the-art cost of producing hydrogen from both alkaline and PEM water electrolyzers for distributed and central production. (September 2009).

Technoeconomic Boundary Analysis of Biological Pathways to Hydrogen Production—Report documenting the biological and engineering characteristics of five algal and bacterial hydrogen production systems selected by DOE and NREL for evaluation. (September 2009).

Hydrogen Production Roadmap: Technology Pathways to the Future—Roadmap to identify research pathways leading to hydrogen production technologies that produce near-zero net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Developed by the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership, Hydrogen Production Technical Team (HPTT). (January 2009).

Hydrogen Production: Overview of Technology Options—Summarizes the Hydrogen Production Roadmap and the seven promising technology options for producing hydrogen. Developed by the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership, Hydrogen Production Technical Team (HPTT). (January 2009).

Boundary Analysis for H2 Production by Fermentation—Technical Report (NREL/SR-560-36129), National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Tim Eggeman. (May 2005).

Summary of Electrolytic Hydrogen Production—Technical Report (NREL/MP-560-35948), National Renewable Energy Laboratory, J. Ivy. (April 2004).

Updated Cost Analysis of Photobiological Hydrogen Production from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Green Algae—Technical Report (NREL/MP-650-35593), Wade A. Amos, National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (January 2004).

Hydrogen Storage in Wind Turbine Towers: Cost Analysis and Conceptual Design—Technical Report (NREL/CP-500-34851), National Renewable Energy Laboratory, R. Kottenstette and J. Cotrell. (September 2003).

Update of Hydrogen from Biomass-Determination of the Delivered Cost of Hydrogen—Technical Report (NREL/MP-510-33112), National Renewable Energy Laboratory, P.L. Spath, M. Mann, W.A. Amos. (December 2003).

Process Analysis Work for the DOE Hydrogen Program—2001—Proceedings of the DOE 2002 Hydrogen Program Review, P.L. Spath, et al. (2002).

Life Cycle Assessment of Renewable Hydrogen Production via Wind/Electrolysis—Technical Report (NREL/TP-560-35404), National Renewable Energy Laboratory, M. Mann and P. Spath. (February 2004).

Biomass to Hydrogen: State of the Art and Research Challenges—This report of the International Energy Agency Hydrogen Program reviews primarily thermal production routes of biomass to hydrogen including, gasification, pyrolysis, partial oxidation and supercritical conversion. It also discusses conversion of storable intermediates like pyrolysis oils, methanol, ethanol and methane. (2001).

Assessment of Natural Gas Splitting with a Concentrating Solar Reactor for Hydrogen Production—Technical report (NREL/TP-510-31949) P. L. Spath and W. A. Amos, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado. (April 2002).

Bioreactor Design Studies for a Hydrogen-Producing Bacterium—Journal article by E. J. Wolfrum and A.S. Watt, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, published in Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vols. 98-100, 2002, pp. 611-25. (2002)

Hydrogen Production Facilities Plant Performance and Cost Comparisons: Final Report, March 2002—Report prepared for the USDOE National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) by Parsons Infrastructure and Technology Group, Inc., Reading, Pennsylvania. (2002).

Life Cycle Assessment of Hydrogen Production via Natural Gas Steam Reforming—A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment on conventional steam methane reforming, including environmental impacts. (February 2001)

Optimized Hydrogen and Electricity Generation from Wind—Technical report (NREL/TP-500-34364), L.J. Fingersh, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado. (June 2003).

Production of Hydrogen from Peanut Shells—A short report on the production of renewable hydrogen from agricultural residues in the near-term time frame and at a comparable cost to existing methane reforming technologies.

Delivery

Blending Hydrogen into Natural Gas Pipeline Networks: A Review of Key Issues—This study assesses the potential to deliver hydrogen through the existing natural gas pipeline network as a hydrogen and natural gas mixture to defray the cost of building dedicated hydrogen pipelines. Blending hydrogen into the existing natural gas pipeline network has also been proposed as a means of increasing the output of renewable energy systems such as large wind farms. (March 2013).

Hydrogen Delivery Infrastructure Options Analysis—This report, by the Nexant team, documents an in-depth analysis of seven hydrogen delivery options to identify the most cost-effective hydrogen infrastructure for the transition and long term. The project objective was to develop an understanding of hydrogen delivery options and plan related R&D efforts.

H2A Hydrogen Delivery Infrastructure Analysis Models and Conventional Pathway Options Analysis Results—An in-depth comparative analysis of promising infrastructure options for hydrogen delivery and distribution to refueling stations from central, semi-central, and distributed production facilities. (May 2008).

Costs of Storing and Transporting Hydrogen—Technical Report (NREL/TP-570-25106), Wade A. Amos, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado. (November 1998).

Storage

Recommended Best Practices for the Characterization of Storage Properties of Hydrogen Storage Materials – Section 6—This report, written by H2 Technology Consulting under contract with NREL, provides an introduction to and overview of the recommended best practices in making measurements of the hydrogen storage properties of materials. This document includes Section 6—Thermal Properties of Hydrogen Storage Materials. Sections 1–5 are available in a separate document. The goal in developing this report was to create a reference guide of common methodologies and protocols for measuring critical performance properties of advanced hydrogen storage materials and to serve as a resource to the hydrogen storage materials development community to aid in clearly communicating the relevant performance properties of new materials as they are discovered and tested. (February 2013).

Executive Summaries for the Hydrogen Storage Materials Centers of Excellence—This report contains the executive summaries of the final technical reports from the three Hydrogen Storage Centers of Excellence that operated from 2005 through 2010 to develop advanced hydrogen storage materials in the areas of Chemical Hydrogen Storage Materials, Hydrogen Sorbents, and Reversible Metal Hydrides. The report provides a summary of the activities performed, key accomplishments, and recommendations from each Center of Excellence. (April 2012).

Final Report for the DOE Chemical Hydrogen Storage Center of Excellence—This technical report describes the activities carried out, key accomplishments, and recommendations from the DOE's Chemical Hydrogen Storage Center of Excellence, led by Los Alamos National Laboratory with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory from 2005 through 2010. The center's focus was the development of advanced chemical hydrogen storage materials that had the potential to meet the DOE's system targets for hydrogen storage onboard light-duty vehicles. (April 2012).

Hydrogen Sorption Center of Excellence Final Report—This technical report describes the activities carried out, key accomplishments, and recommendations from the DOE's Hydrogen Sorption Center of Excellence, led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory from 2005 through 2010. The center's focus was the development of advanced hydrogen sorbent materials that had the potential to meet the DOE's system targets for hydrogen storage onboard light-duty vehicles. (April 2012).

Final Report for the DOE Metal Hydride Center of Excellence—This technical report describes the activities carried out, key accomplishments, and recommendations from the DOE's Metal Hydride Center of Excellence, led by Sandia National Laboratory from 2005 through 2010. The center's focus was the development of advanced reversible metal hydride materials that had the potential to meet the DOE's system targets for hydrogen storage onboard light-duty vehicles. (April 2012).

Recommended Best Practices for the Characterization of Storage Properties of Hydrogen Storage Materials—This report, written by H2 Technology Consulting, provides an introduction to and overview of the recommended best practices in making measurements of the hydrogen storage properties of materials. This document includes Sections 1–5. Section 6 is available in a separate document. The goal in developing this report was to create a reference guide of common methodologies and protocols for measuring critical performance properties of advanced hydrogen storage materials and to serve as a resource to the hydrogen storage materials development community to aid in clearly communicating the relevant performance properties of new materials as they are discovered and tested. (February 2012).

Technical Assessment of Organic Liquid Carrier Hydrogen Storage Systems for Automotive Applications—This technical report describes the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) assessment of the performance and cost of organic liquid based hydrogen storage systems for automotive applications. The on-board system performance (by Argonne National Laboratory) and high-volume manufacturing cost (by TIAX LLC) are estimated for a system capable of storing 5.6 kg of usable hydrogen. The results are compared to DOE's 2010, 2017, and ultimate full fleet hydrogen storage targets. The off-board performance including the Well-to-Tank and Well-To-Engine efficiencies, as well as fuel cost, are also estimated and documented in the report. (June 2011).

Reaction of Aluminum with Water to Produce Hydrogen: A Study of Issues Related to the Use of Aluminum for On-Board Vehicular Hydrogen Storage—Produced in 2008 by DOE and updated in 2010, this report focuses on the key issues as well as advantages and disadvantages associated with using the reaction between aluminum metal and water for on-board vehicular hydrogen storage. (2010)

Technical Assessment of Compressed Hydrogen Storage Tank Systems for Automotive Applications—Technical report describing the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) assessment of the performance and cost of compressed hydrogen storage tank systems for automotive applications. The on-board performance (by Argonne National Lab) and high-volume manufacturing cost (by TIAX LLC) were estimated for compressed hydrogen storage tanks with design pressures of 350 bar (~5000 psi) and 700 bar (~10,000 psi) capable of storing 5.6 kg of usable hydrogen. The system performance and high-volume manufacturing costs were estimated for both type III and IV tanks in both single and multi-tank configurations for each design pressure. The results were compared to DOE's 2010, 2015, and ultimate full fleet hydrogen storage targets. The Well-to-Tank (WTT) efficiency as well as the off-board performance and cost of delivering compressed hydrogen were also estimated and documented in the report. (September 2010).

Technical Assessment of Cryo-Compressed Hydrogen Storage Tank Systems for Automotive Applications—Technical report describing DOE's second assessment report on a third generation (Gen3) system capable of storing hydrogen at cryogenic temperatures within a pressure vessel on-board a vehicle. The report includes an overview of technical progress to date, including the potential to meet DOE onboard storage targets, as well as independent reviews of system cost and energy analyses of the technology paired with delivery costs. Completed by Rajesh Ahluwalia (Argonne National Lab) and Kurtis McKenney (TIAX) with input from Gene Berry (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory), Tobias Brunner (BMW) and Bill Clinkscales (SCI). (December 2009).

Materials Down Select Decisions Made Within the Department of Energy Hydrogen Sorption Center of Excellence—Technical report describing DOE's Hydrogen Sorption Center of Excellence investigation into various adsorbent and chemisorption materials and progress towards meeting DOE's hydrogen storage targets. The report presents a review of the material status as related to DOE hydrogen storage targets and explains the basis for the down select decisions. (February 2010).

Technical Assessment: Cryo-Compressed Hydrogen Storage for Vehicular Applications—Technical report describing DOE's assessment of storing hydrogen at cryogenic temperatures within a pressure vessel on-board a vehicle. The report includes an overview of technical progress to date, including the potential to meet DOE onboard storage targets, as well an independent reviews of system cost and energy analyses of the technology. Completed by Rajesh Ahluwalia (Argonne National Lab) and Kurtis McKenney (TIAX) with input from Salvador Aceves (Lawrence Livermore National Lab) and Tobias Brunner (BMW). (Updated June 2008).

Materials Down Select Decisions Made Within the Department of Energy Chemical Hydrogen Storage Center of Excellence—Technical report describing DOE's Chemical Hydrogen Storage Center of Excellence investigation into various hydrogen storage materials and progress towards meeting DOE's hydrogen storage targets. The report presents a review of the material status as related to DOE hydrogen storage targets and explains the basis for the down select decisions. (August 2008).

Materials Down-selection Decisions Made Within the Department of Energy Metal Hydride Center of Excellence—Technical report describing DOE's Metal Hydride Center of Excellence assessment of the progress of various materials under investigation within the center towards potentially meeting DOE's hydrogen storage targets. The report presents a review of the material systems and the basis for the go/no-go decision for each. (October 2007).

Geometry, Heat Removal and Kinetics Scoping Models for Hydrogen Storage Systems—Technical report describing a numerical scoping model for preliminary system design assessments, including kinetics, scaling, and heat removal parameters of reversible metal hydride hydrogen storage systems. Completed by Bruce J. Hardy of Savannah River National Laboratory, November 16, 2007. Savannah River National Laboratory is a partner in the DOE Metal Hydride Center of Excellence.

Integrated Hydrogen Storage System Model—Technical report describing a detailed numerical model for reversible metal hydride hydrogen storage systems that couples reaction kinetics with heat and mass transfer for both hydriding and dehydriding. Completed by Bruce J. Hardy of Savannah River National Laboratory, November 16, 2007. Savannah River National Laboratory is a partner in the DOE Metal Hydride Center of Excellence. (November 2007)

No-Go Decision on Sodium Borohydride Hydrolysis for Vehicular Hydrogen Storage—An independent review panel recently assessed progress in sodium borohydride R&D toward meeting DOE's near-term hydrogen storage targets as well as the potential to meet long-term targets. Based on the recommendations of the review panel, the DOE Hydrogen Program made the following decisions: 1) Discontinue hydrolysis of sodium borohydride R&D for vehicular hydrogen storage applications, and 2) Continue related R&D applicable to cost-effective initial production of other borane-based species for amine borane vehicular hydrogen storage approaches. (December 2007).

Ammonia-Borane and Related N-B-H Compounds and Materials: Safety Aspects, Properties, and Applications—Technical report on amine-borane complexes and their potential use for hydrogen storage. Completed under DOE Cooperative Agreement DE-FC36-05GO15060, Clinton F. Lane, Northern Arizona University, April 2006. Northern Arizona University is a partner in the DOE Chemical Hydrogen Storage Center of Excellence. (April 2006)

Go/No-Go Decision on Pure, Undoped, Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Vehicular Hydrogen Storage—Statement by DOE Hydrogen Program describing decision process related to discontinuing (a "no-go" decision) only future applied R&D investment in pure, undoped, single-walled carbon nanotubes for vehicular hydrogen storage. This document also describes certain areas of carbon nanotube research (such as metal-doped hybrid materials) that may warrant additional R&D investment. (October 2006).

High Density Hydrogen Storage System Demonstration Using NaAlH₄ Complex Compound Hydrides—Presentation by D. Mosher et al, United Technologies Research Center, prepared under DOE Cooperative Agreement DE-FC36-02AL-67610, December 16, 2006. This presentation describes the development of a complex metal hydride system prototype and the assessment of its gravimetric and volumetric hydrogen storage capacity. (December 2006)

Potential Roles of Ammonia in a Hydrogen Economy: A Study of Issues Related to the Use of Ammonia for On-Board Vehicular Hydrogen Storage—Produced in February 2006 by DOE, this report focuses on the key issues and advantages and disadvantages associated with using ammonia for on-board vehicular hydrogen storage. (February 2006)

Review of Chemical Processes for the Synthesis of Sodium Borohydride—Technical report prepared under DOE Cooperative Agreement DE-FC36-04GO14008 by Ying Wu, Michael Kelly, and Jeffrey Ortega, Millennium Cell Inc. (August 2004).

IEA Agreement on the Production and Utilization of Hydrogen, Task 12: Metal Hydrides and Carbon for Hydrogen Storage, Executive Summary—Overview of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Hydrogen Program Task 12, Metal Hydrides and Carbon for Hydrogen Storage efforts. (Sunatech, Inc, edited by Gary Sandrock, 2001).

Optimization of Single-Wall Nanotube Synthesis For Hydrogen Storage—Final task report (CH-590-31288), A.C. Dillon, T. Gennett, J. L. Alleman, K.M. Jones, P.A. Parilla and M.J. Heben, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado. (2001).