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Media Information Press Release of July 20, 2005 Event Lucerne FUEL CELL FORUM 2005 4 to 8 July, 2005 Lucerne/Switzerland Hydrogen Cannot Solve Energy Problems From July 4 to 8 over 300 experts from all continents gathered in the Culture and Congress Center of Lucerne in Switzerland to discuss 180 technical and scientific contributions at the "Lucerne FUEL CELL FORUM 2005". What solutions do the experts suggest for the energy problem? Fuel cells for natural gas find first markets. Some molten carbonate fuel cells have already logged 25,000 hours with over 99% reliability and hardly any performance degradation. Also, the solid oxide fuel cells of Sulzer Hexis are introduced to the market. The future looks promising for the high-temperature fuel cells, as they convert commercial fuel and biogas into useful power and heat with highest efficiency and negligible emissions. As long as natural gas is around, these fuel cells are meaningful additions to our energy system. In contrast, fuel cells developed for pure hydrogen cannot find market acceptance. This is entirely caused by the absence of hydrogen in the energy market. Hydrogen is not a product of nature, but has to be separated from chemical compounds like water or natural gas with the help of high grade energy. About three quarters of the original energy is lost for electrolysis, compression or liquefaction, transportation, storage, transfer and re-conversion back to electricity with fuel cells. Only 25% of the original energy, i.e. electricity from renewable sources, can be used by the consumer. Grid power will always be much less expensive than hydrogen electricity. Who wants to participate in a hydrogen economy? The energy consumption within a hydrogen economy has been analyzed by a number of recognized groups with comparable outcome. A hydrogen economy, as a whole, is extremely inefficient and a gigantic waste of energy. The upstream losses cannot be balanced by the good efficiency of fuel cells. On the other hand, renewable electricity can be distributed to the consumer over existing power grids with highest efficiency. Energy shortages cannot be overcome by wasting energy. Highest efficiency of our energy system together with energy from renewable sources are the cornerstones of a sustainable energy future. Physics speaks against a hydrogen economy. The synthetic energy carrier hydrogen can never solve energy problems. Please send us a copy of any use made of this text. Thank you! >> back to Media Overview |
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