Big push for clean hydrogen energy

Courier Mail
Thursday 19/6/2008 Page: 73

Fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas will continue to meet base power generation needs for Australian industry and domestic electricity users but the nation needs to speed up its research efforts into a key alternative, hydrogen energy, Australia's peak group of scientists says.

A report by the Australian Academy of Science finds that while homegrown research into hydrogen energy is a "minor contributor" to the field, Australian scientists are able to make big contributions to the development of associated technologies like hydrogen storage materials and Carbon Capture and Storage.

However, the report says much of the hydrogen energy research and development going on is lacking in "critical mass", apart from clean coal technologies and hydrogen storage. hydrogen is attracting big interest worldwide as the price of oil soars and nations are under pressure to cut their greenhouse gas emissions. It is touted as a possible longterm, renewable source of clean energy for fuel-cell systems. When fuelled by pure hydrogen and oxygen these cells will produce electricity with water as the only chemical by-product.

Experts from around the world have been discussing hydrogen's potential as a largescale energy source at a conference in Brisbane this week. The academy's report says hydrogen could come into its own as a widespread energy alternative within 50 years but only scientists can meet big challenges such a economical storage options, reliable fuel-cells and public acceptance.

"The different national priorities for hydrogen energy research and development depend on each country's other energy sources, especially fossil fuels, and strategies to ensure security of supply and to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions," the report says. It says Australia enjoys lowcost power based largely on its vast reserves of coal and gas.

"Not surprisingly, therefore, early federal and state government initiatives have been directed towards more efficient utilisation of coal and gas, but there is also support for the development of alternative renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and geothermal." However, it says Australian scientists produced less than 2 per cent of the world's hydrogen publications since 1980, making the country 16th in the world in terms of hydrogen research.

The Australian Research Council invested nearly $23 million in research projects and fellowships devoted to hydrogen- related energy. Last year, the Queensland Government signed an agreement with the US state of South Carolina to jointly develop and commercialise hydrogen energy technologies. However, the state's investment in hydrogen research pales against the $900 million it has devoted to demonstrating clean coal technology.