Hydrogen Energy Economic and Social Challenges

About this book

Hydrogen energy has 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. Yet why isn't the global energy system switching to hydrogen?

This book is the first to assess the challenges in a comprehensive and realistic way. Part I discusses 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. Part II describes experiences of hydrogen economies in 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. Part III examines the critical relationship between public acceptance of hydrogen, public policy and market conditions. 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.

Contents

1.Introduction and Overview; Paul Ekins, King's College London; 2.Hydrogen Technologies and Infrastructure; Nick Hughes, King's College London; 3.Hydrogen Economics; Paolo Agnolucci, Independent; Paul Ekins, King's College London; Nick Hughes, King's College London; 4.Hydrogen Risks and Risk Management; Paul Bellaby, Rob Flynn and Miriam Ricci, University Of Salford, UK; 5.Expectations, Innovation And The Transition To A Sustainable Hydrogen Future; Malcolm Eames, Cardiff University; Will Mcdowall, Sustainability Solutions Group, Ottawa; 6.Hydrogen Places: The UK Contexts; Simon Marvin and Mike Hodson, University Of Salford; 7.Hydrogen Places: The Vancouver Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Cluster; Will Mcdowall, Sustainability Solutions Group, Ottawa; 8.Hydrogen System Modelling; Nazmiye Ozkan, Policy Studies Institute; Neil Strachan, King's College London; 9.Public Attitudes to Hydrogen; Paul Bellaby, Rob Flynn and Miriam Ricci, University Of Salford; Simon Dresner, Policy Studies Institute; Julia Tomei, King's College London; 10.Hydrogen and Public Policy; Paul Ekins/Nick Hughes/Mike Hodson/Simon Marvin,; King's College London/University Of Salford; 11.Conclusions; Paul Ekins, King's College London.

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Biography

Paul Ekins, an environmental economist, joined King's College London as Professor of Energy and Environment Policy in January 2008. He was a Member of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution from 2002-2008 and, from 2003-2007, was on the UK Government's Sustainable Energy Policy Advisory Board.