Last Updated:
February 28, 2007

GCRIO Program Overview

Library 
Our extensive collection of documents.

Privacy Policy

Archives of the
Global Climate Change Digest
A Guide to Information on Greenhouse Gases and Ozone Depletion
Published July 1988 through June 1999

FROM VOLUME 9, NUMBER 3, MARCH 1996

PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS...
HYDROGEN ENERGY

Item #d96mar32

"Hydrogen in a Global Long-Term Perspective," J. Quakernaat (TNO Inst. Environ. & Energy Technol., POB 342, 7300 AH Apeldoorn, Neth.), Intl. J. Hydrogen Energy, 20(6), 485-492, June 1995.

For many decades to come, the economic development of developing countries will depend on the predominant use of relatively cheap fossil fuels. However, these countries must eventually turn to more energy-efficient technologies. The transition will require innovative strategies aimed at compensating developing countries temporarily for their lack of purchasing power and technical knowledge. Probably a changeover to hydrogen energy will not occur during the first few decades. Attention will instead focus on energy conservation, decarbonization of fossil fuels, substitution to natural gas, opening up of flow energy, biomass production and safe nuclear energy.

Item #d96mar33

"Nuclear Energy, Environmental Problems and the Hydrogen Energy Economy," J. Rothstein (Dept. Computer & Information Sci., Ohio State Univ., 2036 Neil Ave., Columbus OH 43210), ibid., 20(4), 275-281, Apr. 1995.

Justifies the transition to a hydrogen energy economy, estimates its costs, and discusses means to finance it. Concludes that the main obstacles to a healthy hydrogen-based world are not scientific, technical or economic, but are due to inertia, ignorance, fear and mistaken narrow interests. There will be enough time to overcome them if the problems are attacked more energetically.

Item #d96mar34

"Hydrogen and Fossil Fuels," J. Rothstein (Dept. Computer & Information Sci., Ohio State Univ., 2036 Neil Ave., Columbus OH 43210), ibid., 283-286.

Fossil fuels will probably always be needed as a source of chemicals, and synthetic methane will remain a useful fuel even after oil and natural gas are exhausted. It is likely that the fossil fuel industry can survive and prosper by becoming a significant part of the hydrogen energy economy.

Item #d96mar35

Special issue: "Therapy for the Earth," L.O. Williams, Ed. (4915 Caspian Ct., Orlando FL 32819), Appl. Energy, 47(2-3), 1994. Reviews existing energy production and distribution techniques to show why they should be replaced, and examines the characteristics of possible alternatives to determine those most suitable for sustainability. Combines the best technologies into an energy system that will provide plentiful energy for hundreds of years without damage to the environment. Concludes that fusion is the best replacement for fossil fuels and hydrogen is the only satisfactory energy carrier.

Item #d96mar36

"Solar-Hydrogen Electricity Generation in the Context of Global CO₂ Emission Reduction," L.D.D. Harvey (Dept. Geog., Univ. Toronto, 100 St. George St., Toronto ON M5S 1A1, Can.), Clim. Change, 29(1), 53-89, Jan. 1995.

Compares relative costs of solar-hydrogen, a solar-fossil fuel hybrid, and advanced fossil fuel generation, and determines the differences in CO₂ emissions. The global warming effect of solar-hydrogen from leakage of hydrogen is similar to that of a natural gas-solar hybrid system after one year, but about 1% of the impact of the hybrid system on a 100-year time scale. Impacts on stratospheric ozone are likely to be minuscule.