Developing an infrastructure for hydrogen vehicles: a Southern California case study

We have examined the technical feasibility and economics of developing a hy drogen vehicle refueling infrastructure for a specific area where zero emis sion vehicles are being considered, Southern California. Potential hydrogen demands for zero emission vehicles are estimated. We then assess in detail several near term possibilities for producing and delivering gaseous hydro gen transportation fuel including: (1) hydrogen produced from natural gas i n a large, centralized steam reforming plant, and truck delivered as a liqu id to refueling stations; (2) hydrogen produced in a large, centralized ste am reforming plant, and delivered via small scale hydrogen gas pipeline to refueling stations; (3) by-product hydrogen from chemical industry sources; (4) hydrogen produced at the refueling station via small scale steam refor ming of natural gas; and (5) hydrogen produced via small scale electrolysis at the refueling station. The capital cost of infrastructure and the deliv ered cost of hydrogen are estimated for each hydrogen supply option. Hydrog en is compared to other fuels for fuel cell vehicles (methanol, gasoline) i n terms of vehicle cost, infrastructure cost and lifecycle cost of transpor tation. Finally, we discuss possible scenarios for introducing hydrogen as a fuel for fuel cell vehicles. (C) 1999 International Association for Hydro gen Energy. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.