The US Department of Energy (DOE) has revealed a draft version of its Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program Plan, which is now available for public comment through to November 30, 2010.
The DOE has been advancing hydrogen and fuel cell technologies over the last few years with a number of steps taken towards commercialisation, such as reducing the cost and improving the durability of fuel cells while also reducing the cost of producing and delivering hydrogen.
Now the programme looks at overcoming the remaining barriers towards widespread commercialisation of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies for transportation, stationary and portable applications. It will also identify specific obstacles that each program activity addresses.
The key goals are to develop hydrogen and fuel cell technologies for early markets, such as stationary power, lift trucks and portable power; mid-term markets including CHP systems, auxiliary power units, fleets and buses; and long-term markets such as light duty vehicles, in the 2015-2020 timeframe.
It also outlines goals for developing technologies for production including reducing the cost of producing hydrogen from renewable resources; reducing the cost of delivering, storing and dispensing hydrogen; and improving the performance and reducing the cost of hydrogen storage systems.
As part of the transportation sector, the DOE is looking at applying fuel cells in auxiliary power units for trucks, aircraft, ships and rail engines; as well as motive power for light duty vehicles, specialty vehicles and buses.
