Research
The Hydrogen Pathways Research program is focused on understanding the potential transition to a hydrogen-based transportation system. The research is segmented into four tracks that investigate different aspects of hydrogen infrastructure.
- Track 1: Markets and Demand
- In this Track, market demand for hydrogen vehicles is conceptualized and analyzed. A variety of investigations into the forces driving markets for hydrogen vehicles—such as costs, innovation, and consumer behavior—are planned as part of the Hydrogen Pathways initiative. These will span several hydrogen vehicle markets (though at different levels of detail), however, the greatest emphasis will be on the household market for light-duty fuel-cell vehicles (FCVs).
- Track 2: Infrastructure Modeling
- This track provides a modeling framework to analyze alternative hydrogen implementation scenarios and pathways. Various hydrogen production, distribution and refueling infrastructure alternatives will be designed and evaluated using tools and models being developed including geographical information systems (GIS), mathematical programming tools, and engineering economic models for infrastructure components.
- Track 3: Policy and Business Strategy
- Policy and Business Strategy Track researchers are developing an understanding of the role of the policy process on the potential transition to a hydrogen based transportation system. The track contains a number of projects focused on: the policy process surrounding hydrogen; evaluation of policy alternatives and their likely implications for the transition; and the development of business strategies for a hydrogen economy. Researchers are employing a variety of tools to assess these complex issues including policy development frameworks, microeconomic theory and modeling.
- Track 4: Environmental Analysis
- Considerable research effort has been devoted to the analysis of energy cycle emissions of hydrogen use in transportation. In this research program, previous studies of lifecycle emissions and energy use will be compared and differences explicitly specified. Energy use and emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases will be analyzed for each pathway (including "business as usual"). Included in the analyses will be various feedstocks and fuels made off-board (alcohols, petroleum-based hydrocarbons, and hydrogen), and hydrogen produced on-board.
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