Overview

Hydrogen is widely described as a significant fuel of the future with the potential to make a major contribution to the resolution of pressing social and environmental problems such as carbon emissions, energy security and local air pollution. This book, based on four years of detailed research, subjects the promise and potential of hydrogen to searching, in-depth socio-economic analysis. Most current books on this issue consist either of technical description or of optimistic hyperbole about the contribution that hydrogen is likely to make to future energy supplies. This book shows that the technical, economic and social challenges that will need to be successfully addressed for hydrogen to make its hoped-for contribution are formidable. This book is the first to assess these challenges in a comprehensive and realistic way. It begins by discussing the different technologies for the production, distribution, storage and use of hydrogen, and analyses both the economics of these technologies and the risks they pose. It goes on to describe various experiences with aspects of a hydrogen economy in two parts of the world - the UK and Canada - and then assesses the nature of different hydrogen futures that might develop depending on how the technology, economics, social acceptance and policy frameworks play out in different contexts. The futures are modelled in the context of the UK energy system to show in detail the role that hydrogen might play in 2050. It shows that such a role depends critically on hydrogen being accepted by the public, and this issue is explored in depth, reporting the results of a number of public engagement exercises. It also depends on substantial and sustained support for hydrogen by public policy, to create the market conditions that will foster and diffuse hydrogen applications through the economy. The book ends by setting out the policy drivers and levers which could stimulate a virtuous circle of research and development, innovation and investment that might ultimately generate a sustainable hydrogen economy. This is essential reading for economists, engineers, business leaders, investors, policy makers, researchers and students who are interested in the future of the energy system and the part that hydrogen might play in it.

Full Product Details

Author:   Paul Ekins
Publisher:   Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint:   Earthscan Ltd
Dimensions:   Width: 15.60cm , Height: 2.80cm , Length: 23.40cm
Weight:   0.589kg
ISBN:  

9781844076802

ISBN 10:   1844076806
Pages:   294
Publication Date:   29 March 2010
Audience:   College/higher education ,  General/trade ,  Tertiary & Higher Education ,  General
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   To order  
Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction and Overview 2. Innovation and Technological Change 3. Hydrogen Technologies and Costs 4. Hydrogen Markets: An Assessment of the Competitiveness of Fuel Cells 5. Hydrogen Transitions: A Socio-Technical Scenarios Approach 6. Hydrogen System Modelling 7. Hydrogen in Cities and Regions: An International Review 8. Hydrogen in Vancouver: A Cluster of Innovation 9. Hydrogen in the UK: Urban and Regional Drivers and Differences 10. Hydrogen Risks: A Critical Analysis of Expert Knowledge and Expectations 11. Public Attitudes to Hydrogen 12. Hydrogen and Public Policy: Conclusions and Recommendations Index

Reviews

'How - and whether - hydrogen might contribute to a sustainable energy economy is one of the great imponderables of energy policy. The outcome depends on improving technological performance, lowering costs, gaining public acceptance and above all engineering systemic change. Don't look to this book - or any other book - for a prediction of the future. But if you want this complex problem untangled look no further. This book will tell you all you need to know about what we don't know.' Professor Jim Skea, Research Director, UK Energy Research Centre 'From the Editor of Nature to the presenter of Top Gear, all believe that hydrogen as a widely used, secure and sustainable energy carrier is essential and inevitable. But hard challenges abound: this marvellous volume sets out how a transition to a hydrogen economy might come about. It will surely do much to hasten its arrival!' Professor Peter Edwards, University of Oxford, UK 'This book brings a much needed critical perspective to the hydrogen debate. Unlike much of the hype around the 'hydrogen economy', the authors don't assume hydrogen is the answer - but ask what would be required for it to have a significant impact.' Jim Watson, Director, Sussex Energy Group and Co-leader, Tyndall Centre Climate and Energy Programme, University of Sussex, UK

'This marvellous volume sets out how a transition to a hydrogen economy might come about. It will surely do much to hasten its arrival!' Professor Peter Edwards, University of Oxford, UK 'This book brings a much needed critical perspective to the hydrogen debate. Unlike much of the hype around the 'hydrogen economy', the authors don't assume hydrogen is the answer - but ask what would be required for it to have a significant impact.' Jim Watson, Director, Sussex Energy Group and Co-leader, Tyndall Centre Climate and Energy Programme, University of Sussex, UK 'How - and whether - hydrogen might contribute to a sustainable energy economy is one of the great imponderables of energy policy. The outcome depends on improving technological performance, lowering costs, gaining public acceptance and above all engineering systemic change. Don't look to this book - or any other book - for a prediction of the future. But if you want this complex problem untangled look no further. This book will tell you all you need to know about what we don't know.' Professor Jim Skea, Research Director, UK Energy Research Centre 'From the Editor of Nature to the presenter of Top Gear, all believe that hydrogen as a widely used, secure and sustainable energy carrier is essential and inevitable. But hard challenges abound: this marvellous volume sets out how a transition to a hydrogen economy might come about. It will surely do much to hasten its arrival!' Professor Peter Edwards, University of Oxford, UK

'This marvellous volume sets out how a transition to a hydrogen economy might come about. It will surely do much to hasten its arrival!' Professor Peter Edwards, University of Oxford, UK 'This book brings a much needed critical perspective to the hydrogen debate. Unlike much of the hype around the 'hydrogen economy', the authors don't assume hydrogen is the answer - but ask what would be required for it to have a significant impact.' Jim Watson, Director, Sussex Energy Group and Co-leader, Tyndall Centre Climate and Energy Programme, University of Sussex, UK 'How - and whether - hydrogen might contribute to a sustainable energy economy is one of the great imponderables of energy policy. The outcome depends on improving technological performance, lowering costs, gaining public acceptance and above all engineering systemic change. Don't look to this book - or any other book - for a prediction of the future. But if you want this complex problem untangled look no further. This book will tell you all you need to know about what we don't know.' Professor Jim Skea, Research Director, UK Energy Research Centre 'From the Editor of Nature to the presenter of Top Gear, all believe that hydrogen as a widely used, secure and sustainable energy carrier is essential and inevitable. But hard challenges abound: this marvellous volume sets out how a transition to a hydrogen economy might come about. It will surely do much to hasten its arrival!' Professor Peter Edwards, University of Oxford, UK

'This marvellous volume sets out how a transition to a hydrogen economy might come about. It will surely do much to hasten its arrival!' Professor Peter Edwards, University of Oxford, UK 'This book brings a much needed critical perspective to the hydrogen debate. Unlike much of the hype around the 'hydrogen economy', the authors don't assume hydrogen is the answer - but ask what would be required for it to have a significant impact.' Jim Watson, Director, Sussex Energy Group and Co-leader, Tyndall Centre Climate and Energy Programme, University of Sussex, UK 'How - and whether - hydrogen might contribute to a sustainable energy economy is one of the great imponderables of energy policy. The outcome depends on improving technological performance, lowering costs, gaining public acceptance and above all engineering systemic change. Don't look to this book - or any other book - for a prediction of the future. But if you want this complex problem untangled look no further. This book will tell you all you need to know about what we don't know.' Professor Jim Skea, Research Director, UK Energy Research Centre 'From the Editor of Nature to the presenter of Top Gear, all believe that hydrogen as a widely used, secure and sustainable energy carrier is essential and inevitable. But hard challenges abound: this marvellous volume sets out how a transition to a hydrogen economy might come about. It will surely do much to hasten its arrival!' Professor Peter Edwards, University of Oxford, UK

Author Information

Paul Ekins, an environmental economist, joined the UCL Energy Institute, University College London, as Professor of Energy and Environment Policy in August 2009. He leads the Energy Systems theme of the UK Energy Research Centre and University College's involvement in large research consortia on Bioenergy and Hydrogen.

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