Energy analyses provide valuable information, input, and guidance into the decision-making process on important issues such as national energy security and environmental policies, research and development programs and plans, technology options, and potential technical, economic, market, and social barriers to technology deployment.   

MORE INFO Hydrogen from Coal RD&D Plan [2.88MB PDF] NETL Office of Systems, Analyses, and Planning

The Hydrogen and Clean Coal Fuels Program, working with the NETL Office of Systems, Analyses, and Planning, supports systems, techno-economic, and benefits analysis activities to provide guidance and input for its research and development program portfolio, assess the progress made by Program-funded research, and measure the energy security, economic and environmental benefits of the Program.   

The Program conducted an analysis to evaluate the benefits of producing hydrogen from coal.  The analysis, included in the Hydrogen from Coal Multi-Year RD&D Plan, indicates that hydrogen produced from coal will reduce U.S. reliance on imported petroleum in the transportation sector.  When produced in conjunction with carbon sequestration, hydrogen from coal will also result in the reduction of CO2 emissions as well as NOx and SOx emissions compared to both gasoline and hybrid electric vehicles.

Estimate of Well-to-Wheel System Emissions for Hydrogen from Coal and Use in Fuel Cell Vehicles Compared to Gasoline Use in Hybrid Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles (100 million vehicles) Source:  Hydrogen from Coal RD&D Plan 2008

NETL has also conducted several studies that have analyzed the economics of technologies in the alternative production pathway, including coal-to-liquids, SNG, and conversion of coal-biomass mixtures to liquid fuels.