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Summary: Explaining why hydrogen isn't the quick fix touted
Review: Can hydrogen solve our energy and environmental problems? Some claim emission-free hydrogen fuel sells will solve the environmental crisis: author Joseph J. Romm says otherwise, explaining why hydrogen isn't the quick fix touted, and arguing that hydrogen's promise will not be realized until the long term. Politics and economics blends with social and environmental analysis to provide a scientific and social survey of hydrogen in The Hype About Hydrogen: Fact And Fiction In The Race To Save The Climate.
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Summary: The real deal on the future of the hydrogen economy
Review: Having read Jeremy Rifkin's interesting, but rose-colored and somewhat tangential take on the future of the hydrogen fuel cell: The Hydrogen Economy: The Creation of the World-Wide Energy Web and the Redistribution of Power on Earth (2002), I was pleased to read something from a full-time energy professional.Joseph Romm, author of this sobering volume, worked in the Department of Energy in the Clinton administration and has been involved intimately with hydrogen research and development for many years. His main point is that we must eventually have a hydrogen economy based on the hydrogen fuel cell, but that we must not expect this to happen without some major technological breakthroughs. His book is a warning that the global warming clock is ticking and ticking, and that we need to do something now if we hope to avoid a possible catastrophe. The really scary thing about global warming is that we may pass over the point of no return without knowing it. Furthermore, a full-blown, runaway greenhouse effect would make nuclear winter look like a walk in the park. Look what happened to Venus, where on any spring day (or winter day for that matter) the surface is hot enough to melt lead. Could that happen here? The real and direct answer to that question is: we don't know. Romm is not painting any such dire scenarios in this book, but he does state most clearly that "the primary reason why we should pursue fuel cells and a hydrogen economy is to help respond to global warming." (p. 188) He adds, "global warming is the most intractable and potentially catastrophic environmental problem facing...the planet this century." (p. 152) Romm identifies carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere as the primary cause of global warming. What to do and how to do it? Because Romm addresses these questions in such compelling detail, this is the book I believe that will be--if it hasn't already been--read by high-ranking government officials and the CEOs of energy corporations throughout the world. I hope that Sen. John Kerry and President George W. Bush will read it. What they will find is that it will require a closely co-ordinated effort on the part of both government and the private sector to bring about a cost-effective hydrogen technology. This technology will include the building of an infrastructure for making and distributing hydrogen that will cost hundreds of billions of dollars. Romm makes it clear that none of this will happen until hydrogen becomes competitive with fossil fuels in terms of cost and efficiency. Right now hydrogen is most cheaply made from fossil fuels themselves, a process that does not reduce green house gases, and furthermore is much more expensive, no matter what currently-available technology is used, than gasoline itself, and will remain so for many years, probably decades, to come. Ultimately the goal is to manufacture hydrogen from water using renewable resources such as biomass, wind, sun, downward running water, evaporation, ocean currents, etc. to split the water molecule into its component elements. Romm's immediate future scenario has us obtaining hydrogen from natural gas while using our renewable energy resources to produce electricity in an effort to begin to slow the belching of carbon dioxide into the air. Romm believes that oil production will probably peak in the first half of this century. He adds that "Some believe this will occur by 2010." (p. 16) Given this, it is obvious that we will have to come up with some sort of fuel to replace oil. Since only "a limited number of fuels are plausible alternatives for gasoline" (p. 16), and since the one with the most going for it is hydrogen, it will be hydrogen. But transporting hydrogen the way we transport gasoline will be more expensive, perhaps prohibitively expensive since it has to be condensed and/or made into a very cold liquid under pressure. One might think we could transport water instead and make hydrogen at hydrogen stations, but the most efficient conversion methods require large scale operations at high temperatures. There are several other very challenging problems to be faced, not the least of which is what Romm identifies as "the chicken or the egg" conundrum. That is, automakers will not make hydrogen fuel cell cars until the hydrogen infrastructure is in place, and the infrastructure will not appear until there are a sufficient number of fuel cell cars on the road. While I think Romm maintains a cautious level of optimism in the face of these difficulties, he does on occasion let his pessimism show: "If the actions of Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden and record levels of oil imports couldn't induce lawmakers, automakers, and the general public to embrace EXISTING vehicle energy efficiency technologies...I cannot imagine what fearful events must happen before the nation will be motivated to embrace hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, which will cost much more to buy...to fuel, and require massive government subsidies to pay for the infrastructure." (p. 162) If you want to know where we really are vis-vis the so-called hydrogen economy, read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: The Hype Against Hydrogen
Review: Hydrogen research and development has become a political football because Democrats suspect Republicans of substituting the hope for hydrogen in place of near term fuel economy improvements. This book is written by a sincere environmentalist who is also an experienced Democratic political player. Thus he errs on the side of suspicion against the future of hydrogen technology. Yet Romm begins his concluding chapter "Enabling the shift to a hydrogen economy may be one of the central tasks of the United States as we cope with the twenty-first century's major energy and environmental problems, especially global warming." If only he had devoted his book to that purpose. A better book that actual does deal with enabling that shift is The Hydrogen Energy Transition by Sperling and Cannon.
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Summary: An excellent book on energy alternatives and the CO2 issue
Review: Hydrogen's major disadvantage as transportation fuel is it's low energy density. Compressed hydrogen requires heavy storage vessels and significant energy for compression. Liquid hydrogen suffers from evaporation losses and unacceptably high liquefaction energy. Hydrate storage of hydrogen is a long way from being practical for motor vehicles. Fuel cells have been touted as the next big thing in transportation. However, fuel cells are extremely expensive and not durable. Especially discouraging is that automotive variety fuel cells will not be significantly more efficient than internal combustion engines. Alternative hydrogen infrastructure systems are: 1) pipelines to fueling stations and 2) on site reforming of liquids such as methanol, ethanol of other hydrocarbons. All alternatives would require massive capital investment. Local reforming of alcohols or hydrocarbons would be inefficient (and wouldn't make sense because it would be more efficient to use them directly as fuel in internal combustion engines). A strength of the book is that is deals with overall process efficiencies and carbon dioxide byproducts of various processes. Processes are briefly described for producing hydrogen from coal, natural gas and water + electricity, all of which are well known and energy intensive. Electrical generation processes briefly discussed include nuclear, geothermal, combined cycle and combined heat and power. Wind and photovoltaic are mentioned but not given much coverage. Romm makes a convincing case that hybrid diesel electric vehicles will be the logical successors to today's autos. The concluding chapters deal with the carbon dioxide issue, which Romm finds extremely threatening. The book is well written and easily readable. Although an engineering or scientific background is not necessary to understand it, not much is provided in the way of background.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book on energy alternatives and the CO2 issue
Review: Hydrogen's major disadvantage as transportation fuel is it's low energy density. Compressed hydrogen requires heavy storage vessels and significant energy for compression. Liquid hydrogen suffers from evaporation losses and unacceptably high liquefaction energy. Hydrate storage of hydrogen is a long way from being practical for motor vehicles. Fuel cells have been touted as the next big thing in transportation. However, fuel cells are extremely expensive and not durable. Especially discouraging is that automotive variety fuel cells will not be significantly more efficient than internal combustion engines. Alternative hydrogen infrastructure systems are: 1) pipelines to fueling stations and 2) on site reforming of liquids such as methanol, ethanol of other hydrocarbons. All alternatives would require massive capital investment. Local reforming of alcohols or hydrocarbons would be inefficient (and wouldn't make sense because it would be more efficient to use them directly as fuel in internal combustion engines). A strength of the book is that is deals with overall process efficiencies and carbon dioxide byproducts of various processes. Processes are briefly described for producing hydrogen from coal, natural gas and water + electricity, all of which are well known and energy intensive. Electrical generation processes briefly discussed include nuclear, geothermal, combined cycle and combined heat and power. Wind and photovoltaic are mentioned but not given much coverage. Romm makes a convincing case that hybrid diesel electric vehicles will be the logical successors to today's autos. The concluding chapters deal with the carbon dioxide issue, which Romm finds extremely threatening. The book is well written and easily readable. Although an engineering or scientific background is not necessary to understand it, not much is provided in the way of background.
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Summary: Clear that Romm gave this subject a lot of thought & study.
Review: I purchased two books on our energy future at the same time: Romm's book and "Power to the People" by Vaitheeswaran. Romm's book is by far the better one. It asks the questions and importantly does not blanche from giving you the complex and perhaps disappointing answers. The Vaitheeswaran book, on the other hand, asks the questions and gives no answers. Vaitheeswaran does provide a lot of uplifting examples of energy efficiency around the world. But just because something works in a remote Indian village doesn't mean it's the proper solution in a First World city. Romm's book is geared towards energy usage of the First World and does not suffer such short-sighted disconnect in reasoning.
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Summary: Biofuels Trump Hydrogen
Review: Joe Romm's marvelous book, The Hype About Hydrogen, is "must read" for policy makers, environmentalists, researchers, activists, investors, and all citizens who want a sound and honest appraisal of the possibility of a future "hydrogen economy". Dr. Romm's broad expertise in energy-related R&D is evident throughout this long-overdue and objective look at the seriousness of its technical challenges. For several years, a handful of insightful scientists around the world have been trying to get their voices heard regarding the serious issues that seem likely to prevent a hydrogen economy from becoming a reality for at least 40 years. Sadly, even the professional scientific journals and institutions, apparently fearful that the truth might jeopardize funding of pet projects, have hesitated to give audience to the daunting scientific objections to a hydrogen economy. The National Academy of Sciences released a detailed study, The Hydrogen Economy: Opportunities, Costs, Barriers, and R&D Needs, two months ago that was the first step by a distinguished body toward an objective look at the hydrogen economy. On the heels of this study, it is irresponsible for Energy Secretary Abraham to continue to actively promulgate the fantasy that hydrogen will solve our energy problems. With research funds limited and gasoline prices at record levels, we need more funding of viable shorter-term options. Our planet is facing the serious dual challenges of global warming and the end of cheap oil. Dr. Romm puts the issues of fuel cell manufacturing cost, hydrogen fuel cost, competition, infrastructure cost, and global warming in easy to understand language. My only criticisms are that I wish he would have included more on (1) the challenges of hydrogen production by nuclear energy and (2) promising next-generation biofuels, such as cellulosic ethanol, bio-methanol, mixed-higher-alcohols from biomass, and biodiesel from high-oil algae. (I've looked at these issues and options more in a recent paper, "Fuels for Tomorrow's Vehicles" http://www.dotynmr.com/PDF/Doty_FutureFuels.pdf , that nicely complements The Hype About Hydrogen.) F. David Doty, PhD, CEO
Doty Scientific, Inc.
Columbia, SC
Rating:
Summary: Biofuels Trump Hydrogen
Review: Joe Romm's marvelous book, The Hype About Hydrogen, is "must read" for policy makers, environmentalists, researchers, activists, investors, and all citizens who want a sound and honest appraisal of the possibility of a future "hydrogen economy". Dr. Romm's broad expertise in energy-related R&D is evident throughout this long-overdue and objective look at the seriousness of its technical challenges. For several years, a handful of insightful scientists around the world have been trying to get their voices heard regarding the serious issues that seem likely to prevent a hydrogen economy from becoming a reality for at least 40 years. Sadly, even the professional scientific journals and institutions, apparently fearful that the truth might jeopardize funding of pet projects, have hesitated to give audience to the daunting scientific objections to a hydrogen economy. The National Academy of Sciences released a detailed study, The Hydrogen Economy: Opportunities, Costs, Barriers, and R&D Needs, two months ago that was the first step by a distinguished body toward an objective look at the hydrogen economy. On the heels of this study, it is irresponsible for Energy Secretary Abraham to continue to actively promulgate the fantasy that hydrogen will solve our energy problems. With research funds limited and gasoline prices at record levels, we need more funding of viable shorter-term options. Our planet is facing the serious dual challenges of global warming and the end of cheap oil. Dr. Romm puts the issues of fuel cell manufacturing cost, hydrogen fuel cost, competition, infrastructure cost, and global warming in easy to understand language. My only criticisms are that I wish he would have included more on (1) the challenges of hydrogen production by nuclear energy and (2) promising next-generation biofuels, such as cellulosic ethanol, bio-methanol, mixed-higher-alcohols from biomass, and biodiesel from high-oil algae. (I've looked at these issues and options more in a recent paper, "Fuels for Tomorrow's Vehicles" http://www.dotynmr.com/PDF/Doty_FutureFuels.pdf , that nicely complements The Hype About Hydrogen.) F. David Doty, PhD, CEO
Doty Scientific, Inc.
Columbia, SC
Rating:
Summary: Bravo for Sound Science and Policy
Review: Joe Romm's marvelous new book, 'The Hype About Hydrogen', is 'must read' for policy makers, environmentalists, researchers, activists, investors, and all citizens who want a sound and honest appraisal of the possibility of a future 'hydrogen economy'. Dr. Romm's broad expertise in energy-related R&D is evident throughout this long-overdue and objective look at the seriousness of its technical challenges. For several years, a handful of insightful scientists around the world have been trying to get their voices heard regarding the serious issues that seem likely to prevent a hydrogen economy from becoming a reality for at least 40 years. Sadly, even the professional scientific journals and institutions, apparently fearful that the truth might jeopardize funding of pet projects, have hesitated to give audience to the daunting scientific objections to a hydrogen economy.
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) released a detailed study, 'The Hydrogen Economy: Opportunities, Costs, Barriers, and R&D Needs', early in 2004 that was the first step by a distinguished body toward an objective look at the hydrogen economy. Anyone interested in a sound appraisal of current hydrogen technology needs to start here.
Joe's book, like the NAS study, points out in a clear, and scientifically sound manner why (1) hydrogen fuel cells are not likely to become cost competitive in vehicles, (2) hydrogen fuel will likely always be too expensive, (3) FC vehicles do not help reduce greenhouse gases, (4) the hydrogen infrastructure hurdle is immense, and (5) we must begin now taking meaningful steps to reduce CO2 emissions.
Our planet is facing the serious dual challenges of global warming and the end of cheap oil. Dr. Romm puts the issues of fuel cell manufacturing cost, hydrogen fuel cost, competition, infrastructure cost, and global warming in easy-to-understand language. My only criticisms are that I wish he would have included more on (1) the challenges of hydrogen production by nuclear energy and (2) promising next-generation biofuels, such as cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel from mustard seed, bio-methanol, mixed-higher-alcohols from biomass, and biodiesel from high-oil algae. My recent paper, 'Fuels for Tomorrow's Vehicles', nicely complements 'The Hype About Hydrogen' in this regard. The Institute for Lifecycle Environmental Assessment has also recently released a scholarly work that, like 'The Hype About Hydrogen', looks fairly at the putative hydrogen economy and comes to similar conclusions. -F. David Doty, PhD, engineering physicist
Rating:
Summary: Bravo for Sound Science and Policy
Review: Joe Romm's marvelous new book, The Hype About Hydrogen, is "must read" for policy makers, environmentalists, researchers, activists, investors, and all citizens who want a sound and honest appraisal of the possibility of a future "hydrogen economy". Dr. Romm's broad expertise in energy-related R&D is evident throughout this long-overdue and objective look at the seriousness of its technical challenges. For several years, a handful of insightful scientists around the world have been trying to get their voices heard regarding the serious issues that seem likely to prevent a hydrogen economy from becoming a reality for at least 40 years. Sadly, even the professional scientific journals and institutions, apparently fearful that the truth might jeopardize funding of pet projects, have hesitated to give audience to the daunting scientific objections to a hydrogen economy. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) released a detailed study, The Hydrogen Economy: Opportunities, Costs, Barriers, and R&D Needs, early in 2004 that was the first step by a distinguished body toward an objective look at the hydrogen economy. On the heels of this study especially, it seems irresponsible for Energy Secretary Abraham to continue to actively promulgate the fantasy that hydrogen will solve our energy problems. Joe's book, like the NAS study, points out in a clear, and scientifically sound manner why (1) hydrogen fuel cells are not likely to become cost competitive in vehicles, (2) hydrogen fuel will likely always be too expensive, (3) FC vehicles do not help reduce greenhouse gases, (4) the hydrogen infrastructure hurdle is immense, and (5) we must begin now taking meaningful steps to reduce CO2 emissions. Our planet is facing the serious dual challenges of global warming and the end of cheap oil. Dr. Romm puts the issues of fuel cell manufacturing cost, hydrogen fuel cost, competition, infrastructure cost, and global warming in easy-to-understand language. My only criticisms are that I wish he would have included more on (1) the challenges of hydrogen production by nuclear energy and (2) promising next-generation biofuels, such as cellulosic ethanol, bio-methanol, mixed-higher-alcohols from biomass, and biodiesel from high-oil algae. A recent paper, "Fuels for Tomorrow's Vehicles", nicely complements The Hype About Hydrogen in this regard. The Institute for Lifecycle Environmental Assessment has also recently released a scholarly work that, like The Hype About Hydrogen, looks fairly at the putative hydrogen economy and comes to similar conclusions.
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