Nuclear Power Necessary For Hydrogen Economy

OTTAWA -- - The only viable energy source at this time for producing hydrogen is nuclear power, according to Dr. Geoffrey Ballard, President and CEO of General Hydrogen and founder of Ballard Power Systems.

Speaking at the Canadian Nuclear Association Annual Seminar in Ottawa, Dr. Ballard told the audience of industry and government officials that, "If carbon based energy sources must be set aside, then the only remaining viable energy source at this stage of our development is nuclear power." Dr. Ballard noted that hydrogen is an energy currency, not an energy source, and it must be manufactured from some primary energy source. He said that electricity has always been our currency of choice since it first became available, noting that per capita use of energy in North America leveled off between 1974 to 1990, while electricity use increased 28%. The advantage of the hydrogen fuel cell, according to Dr. Ballard, is that it allows the storage of electricity for consumption at time of demand. Using hydrogen fuel cells, converting electricity to hydrogen to electricity involves an energy efficiency of about 33%, which he said compares will with average internal combustion engine energy efficiency of about 18%.

Dr. Ballard noted that hydrogen is an energy currency, not an energy source, and it must be manufactured from some primary energy source. He said that electricity has always been our currency of choice since it first became available, noting that per capita use of energy in North America leveled off between 1974 to 1990, while electricity use increased 28%.

The advantage of the hydrogen fuel cell, according to Dr. Ballard, is that it allows the storage of electricity for consumption at time of demand. Using hydrogen fuel cells, converting electricity to hydrogen to electricity involves an energy efficiency of about 33%, which he said compares will with average internal combustion engine energy efficiency of about 18%.