Hydrogen Research and Development
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and its partners are overcoming the challenges of incorporating hydrogen into the U.S. energy system. The major categories of DOE-sponsored research and development (R&D) are listed below. For a summary of government support of hydrogen and fuel cell R&D, see the President George W. Bush's 2003 Hydrogen Fuel Initiative.
Hydrogen Production
Challenges: Producing hydrogen in ways that make it cost-competitives with conventional fuels and technologies while minimizing the environmental impacts of production (this link takes you to the Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and Infrastructure Technologies Program News page).
DOE R&D:
- DOE Hydrogen Program—Hydrogen Production
- DOE Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Infrastructure Technologies (HFCIT) Program—Hydrogen Production R&D Activities
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)—Hydrogen Production and Delivery
Hydrogen Delivery
Challenges: Cost-effectively distributing hydrogen from the point of production to the point of end-use, such as into fuel cell vehicles.
DOE R&D:
Hydrogen Storage
Challenges: Storing enough hydrogen onboard vehicles to enable a driving range of 300 miles or more without taking up excessive space or adding excessive weight.
DOE R&D:
- DOE Hydrogen Program—Hydrogen Storage
- DOE HFCIT Program—Hydrogen Storage R&D Activities
- NREL—Hydrogen Storage
Fuel Cells
Challenges: Reducing fuel cell system cost and size and improving the performance and durability of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems for transportation, small stationary, and portable applications. View a Fuel Cell Animation on the Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and Infrastructure Technologies Program site.
DOE R&D:
- DOE Hydrogen Program—Conversion/Fuel Cells
- DOE HFCIT Program—Fuel Cell R&D Activities
- NREL—Fuel Cells
Fuel Cell Vehicles
Challenges: Developing technologies that advance state-of-the-art fuel cell systems, subsystems, and components for highway vehicles.
DOE R&D:
Manufacturing
Challenges: Moving from today's components and systems, built using laboratory-scale fabrication technologies, to high-volume commercially manufactured products.
DOE R&D:
In addition to NREL, many other DOE national laboratories perform research and development on hydrogen and fuel cells.
For information on non-R&D government-sponsored activities, see Hydrogen Infrastructure Development.