Environmental Analysis Associated with Hydrogen Pathways

This research will explore a number of typical or potentially promising hydrogen pathways (e.g., the coal to hydrogen pathway, the natural gas to hydrogen pathway, and the biomass to hydrogen pathway) from a lifecycle perspective. We start with estimating the full fuel cycle energy use and emissions (e.g., criteria air pollutants and greenhouse gases) arising from upstream activities and downstream vehicle opreation, then relate changes in emissions to changes in human health effects (i.e., exposure-response function), and finally, relate changes in human health effects to corresponding economic valuation. It will compare hydrogen pathways with conventional gasoline/diesel pathways in terms of environmental impacts and social costs.

Publications from this project:

Wang, Guihua, Joan M. Ogden, Michael A. Nicholas, "Lifecycle impacts of natural gas to hydrogen pathways on urban air quality," International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Article in Press, Corrected Proof - Note to users

Presentations from this project:

Wang, Guihua, Joan Ogden, Michael Nicholas, "Lifecycle Environmental Impacts of Distributed and Centralized Hydrogen Production: A Sacramento Case Study," Presentation at the National Hydrogen Association 2006 Annual Conference, Long Beach, CA, March 12 - 16, 2006.

Research Faculty: Joan Ogden, Mark A. Delucchi
Graduate Student Researchers: Guihua Wang, Michael Nicholas
Funding: Hydrogen Pathways Program