Urgency needed to diversify energy supply and promote hydrogen & fuel cells - IEA
Sat 12 February 2005
View all news
Hydrogen and fuel cells are one of a broad range of emerging technologies that can help to achieve the goal of curbing CO2 emissions according to a new report by the International Energy Agency.
The IEA says that under the most favourable conditions, hydrogen fuel cells could power up to thirty percent of the global car fleet by 2050 and achieve a saving equivalent to 13% of global oil demand. However, it says that the market will not take off unless trillions of dollars are invested over the next decades, and unless the costs of the technology fall considerably.
At the launch of the report - 'Prospects for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells' - Claude Mandil of the IEA said: “To enter the market hydrogen and fuel cells need significant technical breakthroughs, cost reduction and appropriate policies. Huge public and private investment and R&D efforts are required to meet the expectation of a new generation of vehicles with nearly zero emissions and to reduce oil dependence in transport.”
The report says that in the next few decades, hydrogen costs need to be reduced three to ten-fold and fuel cell costs ten to fifty-fold. Substantial improvements are also needed in hydrogen transportation and storage, and fuel cell performance. At the same time, Governments need to implement decisive policies and incentives to promote emission savings and diversify the energy supply.
Related Links
IEA press release
IEA bookshop link
< Back to news list