[Env seminars] LFEE Seminars-(Nov 3) Hybrid Cars Now, Fuel Cell Cars Later, (Nov 10) Can Hydrogen be Part of the Near Term Energy Equation?

[Karen Gibson]

Environment and Sustainability Seminar Series
Sponsored by the MIT Laboratory for Energy and the Environment (LFEE)

NEXT TWO SEMINARS:

THIS WEEK - "Hybrid Cars Now, Fuel Cell Cars Later"
(Please note the time for this seminar - 12:45-2:15 pm)

Prof. John Deutch
Institute Professor, MIT

Wednesday, November 3
12:45-2:15 pm (NOTE TIME FOR THIS SEMINAR)
E40-496

In the August 13, 2004 issue of Science, an article (link below) by 
John Deutch and Nurettin Demirdoven compared the energy efficiency of 
hybrid and fuel cell vehicles as well as conventional internal 
combustion engines. Their analysis indicates that fuel cell vehicles 
using hydrogen from fossil fuels offer no significant energy 
efficiency advantage over hybrid vehicles operating in an urban drive 
cycle. They conclude that priority should be placed on hybrid 
vehicles by industry and government.  This seminar will focus on the 
analysis and findings presented in the article.

ADVANCE READING:  The article "Hybrid Cars Now, Fuel Cell Cars Later" 
by Nurettin Demirdoven and John Deutch appeared in Science, Vol 305, 
Issue 5686, 974-976, 13 August 2004.  If you are affiliated with MIT, 
the article is available through MIT's online subscription to Science 
Magazine:

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/305/5686/974


NEXT WEEK -

"Can Hydrogen be Part of the Near Term "Energy Equation"?"

Prof. Ahmed Ghoniem
Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT

Wednesday, November 10
12:00 - 1:30 pm
E40-496

With the debate on the merits and perils of the "hydrogen economy" 
getting "red-hot", other scenarios should be considered in the effort 
to improve fossil-based energy conversion efficiency.  These include 
the "hydrogen" option in other forms, such as hydrogen-enriched 
combustion, reforming through chemical recuperation, cascading cycles 
for waste heat recovery, etc.  The first option promises near-term 
performance enhancements with less onerous demand on the support 
infrastructure, and it could offer gradual and smooth transition 
towards "pure hydrogen", or other "chemical energy carriers" that 
could be synthesized during short or long term shortage of 
fossil-based hydrocarbons.  Furthermore, it enables expanding the 
available energy conversion hardware; the use of "smart" systems; and 
better economic control over emissions.  I will present evidence and 
trends that support this scenario; the technical background 
confirming the benefit of hydrogen enrichment; and work underway to 
take advantage of this development.

_________________________________________________________________
Part of a series of brown bag talks on issues of energy, environment, 
and sustainability sponsored by the MIT Laboratory for Energy and the 
Environment.  Bring your lunch - cookies and drinks will be provided.


-- 
_________________________________
Karen  L. Gibson
Program Assistant
MIT Laboratory For Energy and the Environment
77 Massachusetts Avenue, E40-469
(1 Amherst St., E40-469 - for DHL and FedEx)
Cambridge, MA 02139  USA
Tel:  1 (617) 258-6368; Fax:  1 (617) 258-6590
http://lfee.mit.edu
http://globalsustainability.org
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