Why hydrogen? One of the key strengths of hydrogen as an energy carrier is its ability to reduce petroleum-dependence and environmental degradation and enhance economic and national security. Hydrogen can be produced domestically from a variety of sources, especially renewable sources of energy including wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal, and clean fossil fuels like natural gas. Why is hydrogen important for California? California can deal with the myriad problems caused by our over-dependence
on petroleum fuels such as air pollution, public health, energy
security, and national security, by investing in California's ability
to innovate our way to a clean hydrogen future, thus bringing good
jobs, investment, and continued economic prosperity to California. Where will the hydrogen come from? Hydrogen can be extracted from a variety of sources such as
biomass (organic matter), natural gas, and even water. Hydrogen
can be
produced in a completely zero-emission manner by producing electricity
with renewable energy and running that electricity through water
(H2O) to extract hydrogen from its bond with oxygen. This process
is called "electrolysis". Hydrogen can also be produced
by releasing it from its bonds with carbon in hydrogen-rich compounds
like natural gas (methane). What are people talking about when they refer to "Green Hydrogen" and "Black Hydrogen"? "Black hydrogen" refers to hydrogen produced through
processes that result in pollution or greenhouse gas emissions. "Green
hydrogen" refers to hydrogen produced through processes that
have zero emissions of carbon dioxide, or no net emissions of carbon
dioxide. "Black hydrogen" comes from the reformation
of fossil fuels such as natural gas or coal, although natural gas
reforming
is quite clean. (The use of nuclear power to produce electricity
for electrolysis is also considered by many to be "black hydrogen".) "Green
hydrogen" can come from electrolysis using renewable energy
as its source of electricity. The decomposition of organic matter
into hydrogen is also considered "green" because, even
though CO2 is emitted, it is no more CO2 than the organic matter
absorbed during its growth phase, and is therefore considered carbon-neutral.
While these are important distinctions, it is also important to remember
that one of hydrogen's key strengths is that it can be derived
from a diverse portfolio of sources. What is "The California Hydrogen Highway Network"? The California Hydrogen Highway Network is a vision for a network of hydrogen fueling stations strategically located across the state in such a manner that California fleets and motorists have easy access to refueling stations. Governor Schwarzenegger laid out this vision when he signed Executive Order S-07-04 on April 20, 2004. The California Hydrogen Highway Blueprint Plan, developed through a public-private partnership, detailed ways for the state to achieve this vision. How much will the California Hydrogen Highway Network cost? Estimates indicate average fueling station capital costs to be $450,000 per station for low volume,
dedicated
single-dispenser vehicle facilities. Converting one quarter,
or 2,500 of California's gas stations to carry hydrogen would
require
capital expenditure of an estimated $1.125 billion. Capital costs
for converting 500 stations would be $225 million. The California
Hydrogen Highway Network as currently envisioned, calls for roughly
200 stations, or somewhere between $100 and $200 million, depending
on the size of the stations. Who is going to pay for all this? Public/private partnerships are the best way to spread the
risks and benefits of early hydrogen infrastructure development. What should the role of government be? The public sector needs to focus on how it can help set the
stage for hydrogen commercialization so that investment by the
private
sector can take place - by looking at incentives, loan guarantees,
revenue bond funding, education and training, and adoption of
codes and standards. Why should California be out in front on this risky venture? Inaction is far riskier than leading the way to a vision of
a clean and independent hydrogen transportation system. California
cannot
afford to continue blindly down its current path of addiction
to petroleum fuels. California is the fifth largest economy in
the
world and we have traditionally led the way in the development
of clean vehicles and clean air regulations. However, many of
the world's nations are actively investing in a similar vision
of a
hydrogen economy for a range of reasons - energy security and
diversity, national security, the environment, climate change,
and public
health concerns. Shouldn't the state and federal governments be investing their resources
in technologies that will make a difference immediately, such as
hybrids and cleaner-burning engines and fuels? Is using hydrogen in internal combustion vehicles an unwise investment? No. Using hydrogen in existing internal combustion engines (slightly
modified to accommodate hydrogen) is an advantageous plan because
it facilitates the transition to hydrogen fuel and creates demand
for infrastructure without having to wait until fuel cells become
market-ready. Using hydrogen in an internal combustion engine significantly
reduces emissions of criteria pollutants and increases mileage. Is a hydrogen economy possible? Will it ever happen? Hydrogen-powered vehicles, generators, and production and distribution facilities are already in place across the state, nation, and world. The hydrogen vision for California is real and attainable; however, it will take time so we must begin now.
California Renewable Diesel Standard FAQs What does SB 1675, the California Renewable Diesel Standard do? This legislation states that diesel fuel dispensed in the state of California contain What is the current status of SB 1675? The bill has passed through several Senate committees and is continuing to be heard in the legislature. To view the most recent action on the bill, please click here. To view and print a .pdf version of FAQs for SB 1675, please click here. Why does California need this bill? As the nation’s leading consumer of petroleum for transportation, California is What is biodiesel? Biodiesel is a wholly renewable, domestically produced, petroleum-free fuel that What is a biodiesel ‘blend’? Biodiesel can be mixed with petroleum-diesel to create a blend. The amount of How much petroleum usage will this displace? The B2 standard would reduce petroleum consumption by an estimated 61.5 What impact will this have on diesel emissions? By 2010, this standard is estimated to reduce CO emissions by over 4805 tons What impact will this have on NOx emissions? This bill would require the B2 and B5 blends to comply with existing air quality Will this make diesel fuel more expensive per gallon? Because the price of biodiesel is historically stable and petroleum-diesel is highly Will fueling stations have to be modified to accommodate these blends? No. California’s existing diesel fueling stations are already capable of handling Will vehicles have to be modified to accommodate these blends? No. Existing diesel vehicles will not require any modifications to accommodate Will this positively or negatively impact engine performance? The phase-in of the federal ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD) rule will result in Will this effect engine starting in cold conditions? Cold-start issues related to biodiesel are not expected to be a concern in Will use of B2 by 2008 and B5 by 2010 void engine warranties? Nearly every engine and vehicle manufacturer warrantees the use of biodiesel up Will use of biodiesel blends void diesel retrofit equipment warranties? While some companies have submitted their diesel retrofit equipment to the Can the biodiesel industry meet the increased demand this bill would The biodiesel industry has confirmed that it will be able to meet the expected Why B2 by 2008? B2 represents a level that the biodiesel industry has indicated it would not have What happens if supplies are insufficient or compliance with environmental The bill states that the Air Resources Board will have the authority to suspend Where will the biodiesel come from? Like petroleum, biodiesel is an openly traded commodity, so it could come from Will waste-vegetable oil be part of this supply? Biodiesel can be produced from used vegetable oil – or waste grease. In Who will enforce this standard? Enforcement of this standard will be no different than today’s enforcement of Are there standards for biodiesel? Yes. The biodiesel used in California will have to comply with standards Will California be the first state to implement a renewable diesel standard? No. In 2005 Minnesota began its renewable diesel program that has set a B2 Will biodiesel compete with ethanol or other alternative fuels? No. Biodiesel can only be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines, while Who is Energy Independence Now and how is this effort funded? Energy Independence Now (EIN) is a non-profit organization dedicated to
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