2008 ConocoPhillips Energy Prize FinalistDr. Greg Rau for the Carbon-Negative Electrolytic Hydrogen |
This concept proposes to use renewable energy, such as wind, wave or solar, for both the production of hydrogen and the simultaneous generation of CO2-absorbing solutions. While not a naturally occurring energy source of any significance, molecular hydrogen gas(H2) can be generated from other sources of energy to provide a valuable energy carrierand fuel. H2 also can be a low- or no-CO2 -emissions fuel if the means of hydrogen generation does not use fossil energy or if the CO2 emitted during the H2 production is capturedand sequestered. However, lacking economic incentives, such methods currently are not cost competitive with conventional, CO2-intensive, commercial H2 production. Thus,despite significant effort, the realization of low-carbon, sustainable and cost-competitive hydrogen has remained elusive.
The concept employs electricity generated from renewable energy to power a novel electrolysis cell that simultaneously splits water and mineral carbonate – for example, limestone – to produce hydrogen gas and dissolved mineral hydroxide. The latter solution subsequently would be used to absorb carbon dioxide from air or from waste gas streams.This method of electrolytic H2 production has a unique, significantly negative CO2 footprint,with CO2 being captured and stored as dissolved bicarbonate. If placed in the ocean,the alkaline solution produced by the process would help neutralize ongoing ocean acidificationand help offset its effects. |
| About the Finalist |
Dr. Greg Rau is a senior researcher with the Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, and also is affiliated with the Carbon Management Program at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, Calif. A native of Washington state, he is a graduate of Western Washington University, and received his Master of Science and doctorate degrees from the University of Washington. Postdoctoral work was conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles, and at NASA-Ames Research Center. His subsequent 25-year research career has focused on carbon cycling and biogeochemistry at cellular to global scales, including the development and evaluation CO2 mitigation technologies.
Dr. Rau is a member of the American Geophysical Union and the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography, and is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He and his wife, Vreni, live in Castro Valley, Calif. They enjoy hiking, fishing and traveling. |
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