Hydrogen – Energy Carrier of the Future?

Authors

Prof. Dr. U. Stimming, H. Wolfschmidt, Munich University of Technology; Dr. M. Rzepka, ZAE Bayern, Garching

Year

2011

Print Info

Fortschritt-Berichte VDI, Reihe 12, Nr. 735

Summary

Both from an ecological and economic perspective, the growing global demand for energy cannot be met through a massive expansion of energy production alone. In this competition, efficient energy converters and accumulators will play a crucial role for automotive engineering as well as stationary applications. Long-term energy supply must be assured on the basis of regenerative (and other non-fossil) sources. Hence a wider variety of energy carriers will be needed which will have to be adjusted to and chosen in accordance with energy requirements. This variety could range from energy carriers such as alcohols, hydrocarbons or hydrogen, electricity stored in batteries and mechanical storage systems. High energy densities which are characteristic of chemical energy carriers will be of particular advantage, especially with regard to the storage of energy, transport and automotive engineering applications. Thanks to state-of-the-art fuel cell systems, a highly efficient conversion of chemically stored energy can be achieved.

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