Cash Instead of Tax Credits for Qualifing Energy Generation Projects

August 2009

U.S. Department of the Treasury and Department of Energy to make Direct Cash Payments for Businesses Developing Renewable Energy Facilities-

The U.S. government announced Friday that it is now accepting applications for renewable energy funding lead by President Barack Obama’s initiative to expand nationwide sustainability and green energy job prospects. The U.S. Department of Energy, along with the U.S. Department of the Treasury will be allocating direct payments in place of tax credits to companies that establish and develop renewable energy facilities; funding to the sum of roughly $3 billion for approximately 5,000 generation plants producing varying sources of renewable energy.

Secretary Steven Chu states, “This program will play a major role in encouraging private sector capital to invest in clean energy development, creating new jobs that can’t be outsourced. It is an investment that will continue to help our economy grow and ensure advancement in clean and renewable energy development.”

The Recovery Act approves the Treasury to make direct monetary payments to businesses which construct and activate facilities that produce sustainable energy beginning January 1, 2009, which was previously apportioned through tax credits. The Department of the Treasury and Energy anticipate a rush of businesses applying for the cash payment, which will help to support a prompt stimulation in regional economies. “As we move quickly to get our economy back on track and to repair the financial system, we must make investments that lay the foundation for a stronger economic future,” said Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. “Too many renewable energy projects have stalled due to a lack of financing.

The Recovery Act program will lead to investment in our long-term energy needs, move us towards energy independence, increase jobs at energy-specific businesses, and protect our environment.”

The Rest @ Green Energy NEws

1 In 5 New Homes EnergyStar: Tougher 2011 Standards

Energy Star Could Get Tougher
Source: BUILDER OnlinePublication date: July 9, 2009

By Teresa Burney

Qualifying for the Energy Star label on homes is likely to become much more difficult in 2011. The Department of Energy is seeking comments now on proposed significant increases in Energy Star specifications.

"They are much stricter, intentionally," said Sam Rashkin, national director of Energy Star for homes, of the new specs. "It should be a bit of a stretch for builders."

While adding between $2,000 and $4,000 to a home's cost, roughly $10 to $20 a month more in mortgage costs, the changes should save homeowners between $30 and $50 a month on their utility bills, said Rashkin.

In the long run, the change in specs will be good for builders of new homes because it "substantially increases the differential between the new product and their competition, a used home."

That angle has not escaped the notice of builders who have been signing up for the program in droves since the market deteriorated, said Rashkin. "Since the market went soft and the downturn has occurred, the number of builders joining is up a thousand percent, from 30 a month (19 to 20 months ago) to 300, plus or minus. So timing for the spec changes is pretty good."

That increased participation has already begun to show in the numbers of homes that qualify under the program.

In 2008, 17% of new homes built qualified for the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program, a 5% jump over 2007. There have been nearly 940,000 Energy Star-qualified homes built to-date, with more than 100,000 built in 2008.

And those numbers look to climb dramatically in 2009.

This year, roughly one in every five houses is expected to be built with the Energy Star rating, said Rashkin. In 2008, the Energy Star market share was already 20% or greater in 15 states: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Vermont.

The proposed changes include:

--Completing the thermal envelope system by making sure that everything from the windows to the insulation, to the caulking and other barriers, form a completely sealed envelope sound enough to stand up to an infrared camera test.

--Treating the heating and cooling elements as a system where all the components are designed and sized to work together efficiently and are installed correctly.

--A more comprehensive set of measures to manage water to make sure it stays out of the home's envelope.

--More energy efficiency requirements for the appliances in the home such as fans and lighting.
More details on the proposed changes can be found here.

Comments are being accepted until Friday, July 10. Depending on the comments, the new specifications should be finalized either in late August or late October and will go into effect Jan. 1, 2011.

The Rest @ Big Builder Online

Clean Fuel for Vehicles - Louisiana Increases Tax Credit to 50%

Governor Bobby Jindal recently announced that he signed Louisiana House Bill 110, legislation that increases personal and corporate income tax credits for use of alternative fuel for motor vehicles, including the use of compressed natural gas (CNG.)

The legislation, authored by Louisiana State Representative Jane Smith (R-Bossier City) and led by Louisiana Senator Nick Gautreaux (D-Abbeville) in the Senate, will increase economic development and investment in Louisiana by encouraging companies to use a fuel source that is clean, abundant, affordable and American.

"Now with proper incentives in place, Louisiana retailers can offer CNG as an alternative fuel to consumers who take advantage of the ability to convert their car or truck or purchase a new vehicle," said Smith.

The new legislation includes provisions to:

• Increase the existing personal or corporate income tax credit from 20% to 50% for purchase of qualified clean burning motor vehicle fuel property, including equipment installed on a motor vehicle and property directly related to the delivery of an alternative fuel.
  
• Increase the existing personal or corporate income tax credit for the purchase of a motor vehicle with qualified clean burning motor vehicle fuel property installed by the manufacturer of such vehicle to 10% of the cost of the vehicle or $3,000, whichever is less.
  
• Establish the existing credit as a refundable income tax credit if no taxes are owed and notes that the tax credits are retroactive to January 1, 2009.
  
• Repeal provisions under current law that prohibit a company or individual who qualifies for Louisiana's Quality Jobs Program from taking advantage of the existing income tax credits for alternative fueled vehicles and equipment.
  
• Gautreaux said, "With potentially the largest natural gas field in the United States, Louisiana is poised to support an energy policy that enhances our national security and promotes a cleaner environment in our country and state. Louisiana now has some of the most aggressive incentives in the country for both consumers and companies to use clean buring, truly American natural gas as transportation fuel."
  
• The legislation was broadly supported with 67 co-authors in the House and 23 co-authors in the Senate. Additionally, a total of 24 entities and organizations passed Resolutions supporting HB 110. They ranged from local governments, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and environmental groups that represent literally thousands of Louisiana citizens interested in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building our nation's energy security.

The Rest @KATC

Smart Grid Funding Opportunity Announcement by DOE

DOE issued solicitations in late June for $3.9 billion in grants to support the development and demonstration of smart grid technologies. Smart grid technologies involve adding communication capabilities and control systems to the electrical grid. Just as the Internet drastically changed how people use their home computers, adding communications to the power grid is expected to change how people use electricity, resulting in improved home energy management for the homeowner, greater demand control for the utility, and a more reliable power grid overall. Smart grids are also expected to better accommodate the use of renewable energy, all forms of on-site power production, and electric vehicles.

DOE's new solicitations include a $3.3 billion Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the Smart Grid Investment Grant Program, which is intended to enable smart grid functions on the nation's electrical grid as soon as possible.

• The cost-shared grants will support the manufacturing, purchasing, and installation of existing smart grid technologies that can be deployed on a commercial scale, with a maximum award of $200 million.

Applications are due on August 6. DOE also issued an FOA for $615 million to identify and develop new and more effective smart grid technologies.

The Smart Grid Demonstration Program will support demonstrations of the innovative use of emerging technologies in the power grid, with a maximum award of $100 million.

Applications are due on August 26.

Both solicitations are funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

See the DOE press release, and download the FOAs by searching the public opportunities on FedConnect for reference numbers DE-FOA-0000058 for the Smart Grid Investment Grant Program and DE-FOA-0000036 for the Smart Grid Demonstrations Program.

As DOE works to help deploy the smart grid, the U.S. Commerce Department is working to develop the technical standards that will govern its construction.

Just as most home entertainment systems involve combining components from different manufacturers that need to work together, a smart grid will require smart electric meters, smart home appliances, and utility systems to work together.

• The system must allow for upgrades to handle electric vehicles and new power sources, but like the Internet, it must also be secure against outside tampering.
• Standards will also aim to avoid utility investments in technologies that may quickly become outmoded.

As the first step to creating smart grid standards, the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a 300-page report, prepared by the Electric Power Research Institute, to identify the issues and priorities for developing such standards. NIST released the report in mid-June and opened it to public comment with a Federal Register notice on June 30.

• Comments are due by July 30. See the NIST press release, the Federal Register notice, and the full 291-page report (PDF 5.7 MB). Download Adobe Reader.
  Printable Version

The Rest @ The Deprtment of Energy

Geothermal and Solar Recovery Act Funding - Close but no Cigar

The Administration is trying to publicize funding for Geothermal and Solar Recovery Act Funding projects: So far, it is putting the funds in the hands of government, not business, and these institutions are inceted to make the programs last as long as possible, not to be profitbale. When I Read these Funding Opportunities, it seems to me that 16 of the 18 opportunities are for research and development or demonstrations of technology we already know works.

• Yes, we will learn new things
• Yes, contractors who put up the demonstrations will earn money for the one project; maybe they will even get more contracts.
• Yes Solar manufacturing plants, even thinfilm plants will be built

It is a hit near the target, but sorry sir, no cigar.

Geothermal

A Geothermal mapping program is a good idea, but lets generate some economy NOW by granting energy companies money to build plants in the places we already know they will work, like they Texas Gulf Coast, Northern California. Make them pay the money back over the next 2o years, putting the money back into a fund to pay for the next generation of research.

Then, after the EMS Technology Emerges the geothermal wells can be built there as well. Don't worry, we will need ALL the energy.

Solar

We can't make solar energy cost effective by simply ramping up manufacturing of today's solar panels. PV technology is about to move from the model T to the Ferrari ( or at least the Mustang) stage. We shouldn't ramp up the Model T production line.

What we can do today is give more and better direct-to-consumer incentives for putting the stuff we have out now. The solar industry can then stay alive until the new technology rolls out.

I don't mind buying the Model T today if I can get it cheap. and It will still get me to the store and back in the future, and at least I will learn how to drive a car before the Ferrari gets here.

Let's put the money out there into ongoing, production that will produce energy for 20 years, not into the hands of institutions who are not, by nature, inceted to produce economy.

-Editor

Here is the DOE Article

Recovery Act Announcement: President Obama Announces Over $467 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Geothermal and Solar Energy Projects
May 27, 2009

President Obama today announced over $467 million from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act to expand and accelerate the development, deployment, and use of geothermal and solar energy throughout the United States.

The funding announced today represents a substantial down payment that will help the solar and geothermal industries overcome technical barriers, demonstrate new technologies, and provide support for clean energy jobs for years to come.

Today's announcement supports the Obama Administration's strategy to increase American economic competiveness, while supporting jobs and moving toward a clean energy economy.
"We have a choice. We can remain the world's leading importer of oil, or we can become the world's leading exporter of clean energy," said President Obama. "We can hand over the jobs of the future to our competitors, or we can confront what they have already recognized as the great opportunity of our time: the nation that leads the world in creating new sources of clean energy will be the nation that leads the 21st century global economy. That's the nation I want America to be."

"We have an ambitious agenda to put millions of people to work by investing in clean energy technology like solar and geothermal energy," Energy Secretary Steven Chu said. "These technologies represent two pieces of a broad energy portfolio that will help us aggressively fight climate change and renew our position as a global leader in clean energy jobs."

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is a clean source of renewable energy that harnesses heat from the Earth for heating applications and electricity generation; geothermal plants can operate around the clock to provide significant uninterrupted "base load" electricity, or the minimum amount a power utility must provide to its customers.

• The Recovery Act makes a $350 million new investment in this technology, dwarfing previous government commitments.

Recovery Act funding will support projects in four crucial areas: geothermal demonstration projects;

1. Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) research and development;
2. innovative exploration techniques;
3. A National Geothermal Data System,
4. Resource Assessment and Classification System.

Geothermal Demonstration Projects ($140 Million)

• Funding will support demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies to advance geothermal energy in new geographic areas, as well as geothermal energy production from oil and natural gas fields, geopressured fields, and low to moderate temperature geothermal resources.

Enhanced Geothermal Systems Technology Research and Development ($80 Million)

• Funding will support research of EGS technology to allow geothermal power generation across the country.
• Conventional geothermal energy systems must be located near easily-accessible geothermal water resources, limiting its nationwide use.
• EGS makes use of available heat resources through engineered reservoirs, which can then be tapped to produce electricity.

While the long-term goal of EGS is to generate cost competitive clean electricity, enabling research and development is needed to demonstrate the technology's readiness in the near-term.

Innovative Exploration Techniques ($100 Million)

• Funding will support projects that include exploration, siting, drilling, and characterization of a series of exploration wells utilizing innovative exploration techniques.
• Exploration of geothermal energy resources can carry a high upfront risk. By investing in and validating innovative exploration technologies and methods, DOE can help reduce the level of upfront risk for the private sector, allowing for increased investment and discovery of new geothermal resources.

National Geothermal Data System, Resource Assessment, and Classification System ($30 Million)

• The long-term success of geothermal energy technologies depends upon a detailed characterization of geothermal energy resources nationwide.
• In 2008, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) conducted an assessment of high temperature resource potential in the Western United States.
• To fully leverage new low-temperature, geopressured, co-production, and EGS technologies, DOE will support a nationwide assessment of geothermal resources, working through the USGS and other partners.
• Second, DOE will support the development of a nationwide data system to make resource data available to academia, researchers, and the private sector.
• Finally, DOE will support the development of a geothermal resource classification system for use in determining site potential.

Solar Energy

• Solar energy is a rapidly expanding industry with a double-digit annual growth rate in the United States. DOE is focused on supporting the U.S. industry's scaling up of manufacturing, production, and distribution so the technology can become cost competitive with conventional sources of energy.
• DOE will provide $117.6 million in Recovery Act funding to accelerate widespread commercialization of clean solar energy technologies across America.
• These activities will leverage partnerships that include DOE's national laboratories, universities, local government, and the private sector, to strengthen the U.S. solar industry and make it a leader in international markets.

Photovoltaic Technology Development ($51.5 Million)

• DOE will expand investment in advanced photovoltaic concepts and high impact technologies, with the aim of making solar energy cost-competitive with conventional sources of electricity and to strengthen the competitiveness and capabilities of domestic manufacturers.

Solar Energy Deployment ($40.5 Million)

• Projects in this area will focus on non-technical barriers to solar energy deployment, including grid connection, market barriers to solar energy adoption in cities, and the shortage of trained solar energy installers.
• Combined with new technology development, these deployment activities will help clear the path for wider adoption of solar energy in residential, commercial, and municipal environments.

Concentrating Solar Power Research and Development ($25.6 Million)

• This work will focus on improving the reliability of concentrating solar power technologies and enhancing the capabilities of DOE National Laboratories to provide test and evaluation support to the solar industry.

For information on these and other Funding Opportunities under the Recovery Act, visit the U.S. Department of Energy's Recovery And Reinvestment Act page on Funding Opportunities.

The Rest from Energy Efficiecny and Renewsbel Energy, Department of Energy ( DOE )

2008 Weatherization Assistance Program

The US Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistane Program

2008 Weatherization Assistance

Click on the links below to download a PDF of each section.

• Here is a Fact Sheet
• Programs by State
• Here is a list of Texas Programs, seachable By Utilities

Table of Contents
1. Program Overview
This section provides an Executive Summary of the Weatherization Assistance Program, as well as a Legislative and Regulatory Timeline since the Program's inception.
2. Program Funding
This section includes information on funding, state start and end dates, state allocations, how the allocation formula works, as well as the 1995 Federal Register 10 CFR Part 440 ruling.
3. Training and Technical Assistance
Click the link above to view activities taking place at DOE Headquarters, as well as in the PMC field offices. This section also includes information on what audit tools states are using and identifies those that use a priority list.
4. New Initiatives
This section addresses: Lead Safe Weatherization Pollution Occurrence Insurance, Adding U.S. Territories to Service Area, the National Evaluation, the Hot Climate Initiative Project, and How Weatherization is Green.
5. Health and Safety
Lead-based paint regulations, mold and moisture, two-part spray foam, unvented space heaters, and disaster relief planning are covered here.
6. Questions and Answers
Do you have basic questions about the Weatherization Assistance Program? Click the link above to find answers to what the Program is, how it works, why it is important, and much more!
7. Program Accomplishments
In 30 years of providing service to low-income citizens, the Program has has garnered a great deal of attention and credit. View the number of units weatherized, average unit costs, and more with this link.
8. Media Relations
Click here to view press coverage the Program receives on a consistent basis.
9. Weatherization Plus
Curious about Weatherization Plus and how it has moved forward in recent years? This section provides an overview of the initial effort as well as the latest actions.
10. Additional Resources
Still haven't found what you are looking for? Perhaps it's a fact sheet, a presentation, a specific report, or something else. This section contains an assortment of useful tools for the weatherization network.

Source: Weatherization Assistance Program Technical Assistance Site

Renewabel Energy Part of the Stimuls Bill

THis is the House Bill H.R.1
These amounst may change as the House and Senete reconcile the bills

ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY


Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Research Development, Demonstration and Deployment
Recovery funding: $2.000 billion

Renewable energy and energy efficiency research, development, demonstration and deployment can contribute to strengthening the United States' energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality. This funding provides for activities to support this goal, including

• $800 million for projects related to biomass and
• $400 million for geothermal activities and projects.

The remaining $800 million will be used for base program activities, such as research and demonstrations for additional renewable energy technologies, including water power and solar energy, and energy efficiency demonstrations for industrial and commercial practices, such as combined heat and power projects.

These funds may also be used to accelerate research and development for advanced batteries necessary for the conversion to electric vehicles and storage of energy to increase the effectiveness of renewable energy projects.

The Department of Energy estimates 12,000 jobs will be created with this investment.

Industrial Energy Efficiency
Recovery funding: $500 million

Waste heat streams from U.S. industrial processes are estimated to equal 60 to 90 gigawatts of recoverable electricity generation--the equivalent of 120 coal-fired power plants with zero incremental fuel use, cost or carbon emissions. The companies that could capture this energy employ many thousands of workers whose jobs are at risk due to rising energy costs, and many jobs would be created to build the equipment needed to capture this waste energy or prevent waste in similar new and replacement installations. This funding will implement a waste energy recovery incentive program to encourage the recovery of industrial waste heat and recycling it into useable heat and electricity. Recycling the energy our industrial and manufacturing facilities waste is a cost effective way to increase energy efficiency while reducing emissions. The estimated payback for these investments is on the order of 3 to 4 years. (EISA 2007 Sec.451)

Grants to Institutional Entities for Energy Sustainability and Efficiency
Recovery funding: $1.000 billion

This funding would provide $1 billion in grants to institutional entities to identify, design, and implement sustainable energy infrastructure projects and grants for energy efficiency innovative technologies projects on grounds and facilities of institutions. The term institution includes: institutions of higher education; public school districts; local governments; municipal utilities. This funding will provide concrete results in support of the nation's education system while providing construction jobs that help build local markets for skilled green construction. Job creation based on modeling by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy shows that these funds, combined with the $500 million in loans provided under a separate heading, will create 7,000 jobs by the end of 2010.

Weatherization Assistance Program
Recovery funding: $6.200 billion

The Weatherization Assistance Program is designed to assist low-income families reduce their energy costs by sending funds to the states to weatherize low-income homes. On average, weatherization reduces heating bills by 32 percent and overall energy bills by $358 per year per home at current prices. This spending spurs low-income communities toward job growth and economic development while the energy cost savings provides more disposable income for other purposes. This funding improves the energy efficiency of low-income housing. DOE estimates this will support 104,000 direct jobs. The eligibility for this program is expanded by increasing the maximum income from 150 percent to 200 percent of the poverty level and the allowable level of investment per home from $2,500 to $5,000 to achieve greater energy savings.

Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grants
Recovery funding: $3.500 billion

The Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant Program will assist states, local governments and Indian tribes in implementing strategies to reduce fossil fuel emissions created as a result of activities within the jurisdictions of the eligible entities and reduce the total energy use. Activities eligible to receive funding include: conducting residential and commercial building energy audits; establishing financial incentives programs for energy efficiency improvements; grants to non-profit organizations to perform energy efficiency retrofits; developing/implementing programs to conserve energy used in transportation; developing and implementing building codes and inspections services to promote building energy efficiency; installing light emitting diodes (LEDs); and developing, implementing, and installing on or in any government building onsite renewable energy technology that generates electricity from renewable sources. The U.S. Conference of Mayors has identified over 944 `ready-to-go' energy infrastructure projects that could be started in cities in just two calendar years. DOE estimates an investment of $3.5 billion could create over 40,800 jobs.

State Energy Program
Recovery funding: $3.400 billion

The State Energy Program (SEP) provides grants to states and directs funding to state energy offices. States use grants to address their energy priorities and program funding to adopt emerging renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. This funding will provide resources for activities in state energy offices, including key initiatives such as residential, commercial and governmental building energy efficiency retrofits. An investment of $3.4 billion yields over 41,000 jobs.

Transportation Electrification
Recovery funding: $200 million

The Transportation Electrification program helps move an industry sector--transportation--that is vital to the country's economic health toward cleaner energy sources and away from petroleum dependence. States and localities have taken the lead in moving towards an electrification of the light duty fleet. Federal funding is provided to implement a grant program to states, local governments, and metropolitan transportation authorities for qualified electric transportation projects that reduce emissions, including shipside electrification of vehicles, truck stop electrification, airport ground support equipment and cargo handling equipment. Ship service electrical power consumption at the shore side has grown for the shipping industry. The environmental impact of the pollution created while at berth has many ports restricting the operation of on-board generators. Shutting off these on-board generators and supplying the ship's power from the shore power system can reduce the air pollution emissions. The American Association of Port Authorities has identified more than 18 port authorities with projects that could be implemented with this funding. The identified projects range from replacing diesel engines with electric to installation of dockside electrification capability to reduce the emissions from ships. (EISA 2007 Sec.131)

Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program and Energy Star
Recovery funding: $300 million

This funding will provide rebates for residential consumers for the purchase of residential Energy Star products to replace used appliances with more efficient models. Approximately 15 states have appliance rebate programs currently operating to incentivize the purchase of energy-efficient appliances. This program would add federal funds to increase the effectiveness of these programs and to encourage the remaining states to adopt similar programs. This will speed the rollout of appliances that will be able to take advantage of smart meters and spur consumer purchases of smart and energy-efficient appliances. (EPACT 2005 Sec. 124)

Alternative Fueled Vehicles Pilot Grant Program
Recovery funding: $400 million

Funding in the amount of $400 million is to establish a grant program through the DOE Clean Cities Program to encourage the use of plug-in electric drive vehicles or other emerging electric vehicle technologies. This grant program may provide up to 30 geographically dispersed project grants. Grant recipients include state governments, local governments, metropolitan transportation authorities, air pollution control districts, and private or nonprofit entities. These grants may be used for the acquisition of alternative fueled vehicles, fuel cell vehicles or hybrid vehicles, including buses for public transportation and ground support vehicles at public airports. The installation or acquisition of infrastructure necessary to directly support an alternative fueled vehicle, fuel cell vehicle, or hybrid vehicle project funded by the grant is also eligible. (EPACT 2005 Sec. 721)

Advanced Battery Manufacturing
Recovery funding: $1.00 billion

In order to move to a new generation of vehicles, the United States must make strides in battery manufacturing capability and not rely on foreign-made technology. This funding will provide $1 billion in grants for facility funding awards to support the manufacturing of advanced vehicle batteries. This funding will incentivize the domestic manufacturing of advanced batteries in order to build a globally competitive battery manufacturing workforce. The DOE estimates 6,000 jobs will be created with this investment. (EISA 2007 Sec. 136(b)(1)(B))

Fuel Cell Corridor

(from thier Br0uchure)

Ohio is the top destination for the fuel cell industry. Ohio is internationally recognized as a global center for the fuel cell industry. Here, there is a unique combination of knowledge, resources and infrastructure to support the development of this clean and efficient energy technology.

Ohio's advantages include a coordinated partnership of government, industry and
universities (which creates efficiencies in bringing viable products to market) as
well as an existing manufacturing/advanced materials network and exemplary
government funding and legal/regulatory framework.

The result is a hotbed of fuel cell businesses that are making real products today.

Fuel Cell Corridor web site

Ammonia as a Fuel 101

This is the Executive Summary from the 2006 US Departement of Energy White Paper "Partial Roles of Ammonia in a Hydrogen Ecconomy" by George Thomas and George Parks.

-Editor

Ammonia has a number of favorable attributes, the primary one being its high capacity for hydrogen storage, 17.6 wt.%, based on its molecular structure. However, in order to release hydrogen from ammonia, significant energy input as well as reactor mass and volume are required.

Other considerations include:

• safety and toxicity issues, both actual and perceived
• The incompatibility of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells in the presence of even trace levels of ammonia (> 0.1ppm).

Given the state of the art in ‘cracking’ ammonia to produce hydrogen, there are many issues in the on-board use of ammonia similar to those identified for on-board fuel processors.

Specifically, these include:

• high operating temperature (>500° C)
• Longevity and reliability of catalysts and other components (at high temperatures and in the presence of impurities);
• Start-up time (to get the system up to operating temperature);
• Purification requirements (to prevent ammonia poisoning of fuel cells);
• Complexity of the overall system;
• Energy efficiency (on-board ammonia would have to be burned in the cracking process); cost (currently ~$100K for 1-3 g H2/s stationary units);
• And reactor weight and volume (commercial units with sufficient throughput currently weigh about 2000-5000 kg and are about 3000-6000 liters in size).

Simply stated, most of the performance parameters of ammonia reactors would need at least two orders-of-magnitude improvements in order to be used on-board commercially viable hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles.

Due to the above reasons, DOE does not plan to fund R&D to improve ammonia fuel processing technologies for use on board light weight vehicles at the present time.

However, a distinction may be made between conventional fuel processing of ammonia (e.g. high temperature, low efficiency, slow start-up/time response crackers) versus novel approaches to store ammonia and release its hydrogen content under conditions available on-board PEM fuel cell vehicles.

As DOE’s current portfolio in hydrogen storage evolves, breakthrough approaches that allow the safe, efficient and cost effective use of ammonia-based storage may be considered at a future date.

While this paper describes general advantages and disadvantages of ammonia with a focus
on on-board vehicular hydrogen storage,

...the use of ammonia as a potential hydrogen carrier for hydrogen delivery or off-board hydrogen storage is currently under evaluation by the DOE and the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership’s Hydrogen Delivery Technical Team.

Full Department of Energy Report

Page 5 of 23 Feb 2006