Board on Energy and Environmental Systems & Committee on Alternatives and Strategies for Future Hydrogen Production and Use 
Hydrogen Economy 
Opportunities, Costs, Barriers, and R&D Needs

The announcement of a hydrogen fuel initiative in the Presidents 2003 State of the Union speech substantially increased interest in the potential for hydrogen to play a major role in the nations long-term energy future. Prior to that event, DOE asked the National Research Council to examine key technical issues about the hydrogen economy to assist in the development of its hydrogen R&D program. Included in the assessment were the current state of technology; future cost estimates; CO2 emissions; distribution, storage, and end use considerations; and the DOE RD&D program. The report provides an assessment of hydrogen as a fuel in the nations future energy economy and describes a number of important challenges that must be overcome if it is to make a major energy contribution. Topics covered include the hydrogen end-use technologies, transportation, hydrogen production technologies, and transition issues for hydrogen in vehicles.