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| Energy Independence |
October 08, 2006 |
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"Research and innovation can help unleash the tremendous potential of hydrogen energy."
Rep. Heather Wilson
(From Hydrogen.gov)
 Hydrogen can be produced from many domestic sources of energy, including fossil fuels, such as natural gas and coal; renewable energy resources, such as solar radiation, wind, and biomass; and nuclear energy. The diversity of hydrogen sources and the energy efficiency benefits of hydrogen fuel cells make the widespread use of hydrogen for transportation and stationary power an important step in protecting the future energy security of the United States. Clean, efficient, and cost-effective hydrogen production, however, is a significant challenge. Hydrogen is not a fuel that exists in nature in a readily usable form, such as oil or coal. It more closely resembles electricity—an energy carrier that must be generated from another fuel source.
 The potential of hydrogen`s full energy cycle offers a unique opportunity to dramatically reduce the resources with which we both generate and use energy. While natural gas reformation is the most likely route to generate hydrogen now, renewable electrolysis (from solar, wind or biomass sources), nuclear, and/or coal (with sequestration) hold the ultimate promise of the Hydrogen Economy. In fact, while gasoline electric hybrids decrease petroleum use by almost 40% in comparison to today`s conventional gasoline engines, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles eliminate the need for petroleum entirely.
Wilson: Hydrogen Holds Great Promise for Energy Independence
(News release, October 4, 2006) Congresswoman Heather Wilson says that New Mexico should have a central role in achieving energy independence through research and development into alternative sources, such as hydrogen.
“America needs to be more energy independent,” said Wilson, speaking last week at a luncheon of the National Hydrogen Association in Albuquerque. “Research and innovation – New Mexico specialties – can help unleash the tremendous potential of hydrogen energy.”
Wilson said the U.S. Army, Chevron, City of Albuquerque and State of New Mexico are working towards the development of a demonstration hydrogen energy station in Albuquerque. This would be the first hydrogen energy station in New Mexico.
Wilson supports a balanced energy policy that includes development of technology to use more renewable energy and find practical alternatives to fossil fuel. The Department of Energy is exploring a “hydrogen economy” through the American Competitiveness Initiative and the Advanced Energy Initiative. The Energy Policy Act of 2005, signed into law at Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico with the support of the entire New Mexico congressional delegation, sets a goal of hydrogen-powered vehicles on the road by 2020.
On May 10, 2006, with Wilson’s support, the House passed the H-Prize Act (H.R. 5143) to create a new incentive for the development of hydrogen fuel. The bill establishes a prize competition to develop hydrogen energy as a practical alternative to fossil fuel. The H-prize is modeled on previous successful science competitions, including the Ansari X Prize, which led to the first privately funded suborbital human spaceflight last year.
“We need a balanced, longterm energy policy to make America energy independent and preserve the beauty of the land we love,” Wilson said. “We are best served when there are both public and private resources focused on energy independence.”
Background on the H-Prize Act:
The legislation encourages increased collaboration between the businesses, science, and educational sectors, and supports the creativity of American research to develop an alternative fuel by authorizing $11 million in annual appropriations. Specifically, the bill promotes technological advancements by awarding four $1 million prizes every two years in the categories of hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and utilization; encourages prototype development by awarding one $4 million prize every two years for the creation of a working hydrogen vehicle prototype; and rewards transformation technologies with one $10 million grand prize for the development of wells-to-wheels breakthrough technology, plus the promise of $40 million in private matching funds. |
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