Hydrogen: The Future of Energy

In this lecture given at the RMI Quest for Solutions event in 2003, Amory Lovins presents an argument for hydrogen as the next major supplier of energy. Hydrogen is versatile, clean, safe, and cheap. The widespread use of hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles would enable a profitable transition from oil. Also, in a hydrogen economy, America's energy needs can be met from local and national sources. Lovins responds to myths about hydrogen, provides basic facts about hydrogen, and explains how it can be used in automobiles.

Twenty Hydrogen Myths

This peer-reviewed white paper offers both lay and technical readers a documented primer on basic hydrogen facts, weighs competing opinions, and corrects twenty widespread misconceptions. Some of these include the following: a hydrogen industry would need to be developed from scratch; hydrogen is too dangerous for common use; making hydrogen uses more energy than it yields; we lack a mechanism to store hydrogen in cars; and hydrogen is too expensive to compete with gasoline. This paper explains why the rapidly growing engagement of business, civil society, and government in devising and achieving a transition to a hydrogen economy is warranted and, if properly done, could yield important national and global benefits.

Cleaner Energy, Greener Profits: Fuel Cells as Cost-Effective Distributed Energy Resources

This paper argues for the adoption of fuel cell technology by the electric power industry. Fuel cells convert fuel to electricity at high efficiency without combustion and with negligible emissions. The author claims that fuel cell technology is one of the most promising distributed generation options. Fuel cell technology can be implemented in the electric power industry when the economic benefits of distributed generation are recognized and captured in the electricity market. The author describes the market for fuel cells and the changing trends in the electricity industry. The author provides several case studies of the successful use of fuel cells.

Hypercars, Hydrogen, and Distributed Utilities: Disruptive Technologies and Gas-Industry Strategy

In this presentation to the American Gas Association, Amory Lovins explains the relationship between Hypercars, hydrogen, and distributed utilities. The presentation describes the stagnation in the auto industry and transportation policy and shows that the Hypercar concept is being disseminated into the auto industry. Lovins argues that the Hypercar will help bring about a shift to widespread hydrogen use. He presents strategies for building a hydrogen infrastructure.

Strategy for the Hydrogen Transition

This paper describes the rapid, practical, and profitable commercialization path for fuel cells and hydrogen that can be executed by coordinating convergent trends in several industries. The strategy described here relies on existing technologies, can begin immediately, and proceeds in a logical and viable sequence. It has two preconditions: uncompromised ultralight-hybrid vehicles whose inherently high efficiency permits their fuel-cell stacks to rely on conveniently compact onboard tanks of compressed gaseous hydrogen, making onboard liquid-fuel reformers unnecessary and uncompetitive; and integration of fuel-cell market development between vehicles and buildings. This paper provides a specific strategy for transitioning to the widespread use of hydrogen. The authors describe how the careful coordination of fuel-cell commercialization in stationary and transportation applications, the use of small-scale, distributed fueling appliances, and Hypercar vehicles combine to offer leapfrog opportunities for climate protection and the transition to hydrogen.