Brian D James

Strategic Analysis Inc. · Energy Analysis Services

Hydrogen is seen as a potential energy intermediary between renewable energy sources and end-use applications including transportation, power, and industrial feedstocks. Core to this approach is low-cost hydrogen generation via water electrolysis. Significant research has been undertaken to improve the electrolysis stack technology, including enhan...

To explore the near-term and future cost projection of hydrogen production via water electrolysis, Strategic Analysis, Inc. (SA) has developed a bottom-up project cost model for Alkaline, Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM), and Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) electrolysis technologies. This project cost model incorporates: 1) Stack cost, derived from a D...

The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced its first Energy Earthshot on Clean Hydrogen, with a cost target of $1/kg-H 2 by 2031. Assuming future utility-scale grid electricity prices from photovoltaics ($0.02/kWh), 80% of the cost of H 2 would come from performing low-temperature water electrolysis at its thermoneutral voltage, with zero add...

The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced its first Energy Earthshot on Clean Hydrogen, with a cost target of $1/kg-H 2 by 2031. Assuming future utility-scale grid electricity prices from photovoltaics ($0.02/kWh), 80% of the cost of H 2 would come from performing low-temperature water electrolysis at its thermoneutral voltage, with zero add...

This paper compares the relative cost of long-distance, large-scale energy transmission by electricity and by gaseous and liquid carriers (e-fuels). The results indicate that the cost of electrical transmission per delivered MWh can be up to eight times higher than for hydrogen pipelines, about eleven times higher than for natural gas pipelines, an...

Techno-economic analysis (TEA) plays a critical role in assessing the cost of a technology relative to the current market, in identifying high impact areas for research and development investment, and in informing relevant stakeholders. In this chapter we discuss three main topics: (1) an overview of TEA, its processes, methods, and considerations...

The 2018 annual update of the Strategic Analysis Inc. PEM fuel cell cost analysis covering 80kWnet automotive (LDV) and 160kWnet Medium-Duty Vehicle (MDV) power systems. The report also reports on catalyst synthesis via PVD coating, electrospun supports of membranes/MEA's, and an updated cost projection of the Toyota Mirai fuel cell power system as...

Direct hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) produce only water as a byproduct, thereby eliminating tailpipe carbon and criteria air pollutant emissions associated with internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). However, in order to achieve economic parity with ICEVs, technological challenges must be overcome to lower system cost. The U.S....

Solar-powered electrochemical production of hydrogen through water electrolysis is an active and important research endeavor. However, technologies and roadmaps for implementation of this process do not exist. In this perspective paper, we describe potential pathways for solar-hydrogen technologies into the marketplace in the form of photoelectroch...

Liquid hydrogen (LH2) truck delivery and storage at dispensing sites is likely to play an important role in an emerging H2 infrastructure. We analyzed the performance of single phase, supercritical, on-board cryo-compressed hydrogen storage (CcH2) with commercially-available LH2 pump enabled single-flow refueling for application to fuel cell electr...

DFMA cost analysis of 80kW PEM fuel cell power systems for Light-Duty Vehicles plus a scoping study for Medium-Duty/Heavy-Duty fuel cell trucks.

Status report of hydrogen storage analysis activities conducted in FY2017 for the Fuel Cell Technologies Office.

A techno-economic analysis was conducted for metal-organic framework (MOF) adsorbents, which are promising candidates for light-duty vehicle onboard natural gas and hydrogen storage. The goal of this analysis was to understand cost drivers for large-scale (2.5 Mkg/year) MOF synthesis and to identify potential pathways to achieving a production cost...

This 2016 report covers fuel cell cost analysis of both light duty vehicle (automotive) and transit bus applications for only the current year (i.e. 2016). This report is the tenth annual update of a comprehensive automotive fuel cell cost analysis conducted by Strategic Analysis (SA), under contract to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The firs...

This 2015 report details fuel cell cost analysis of both light duty vehicle (automotive) and transit bus applications using Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell power systems. It is the ninth annual update of a comprehensive automotive fuel cell cost analysis conducted by Strategic Analysis Inc. (SA) under contract to the US Department of Energy (DOE...

This 2014 report covers fuel cell cost analysis of both light duty vehicle (automotive) and transit bus applications for only the current year (i.e. 2014). This report is the eighth annual update of a comprehensive automotive fuel cell cost analysis conducted by Strategic Analysis (SA), under contract to the US Department of Energy (DOE). In this m...

This article details analysis of hydrogen (H2) production based on polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolysis. This work identifies primary constraints to the success of this production pathway, primary cost drivers, and remaining Research and Development (R&D) challenges. This research assesses the potential to meet U.S. Department of Energy...

This paper evaluates the potential for electrochemical hydrogen compression systems (EHCs) regarding their engineering performance, manufacturability, and capital costs. EHCs could enhance or replace mechanical hydrogen compressors. The physical embodiment of EHCs is similar to that of low temperature (LT) proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell s...

A design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA™) analysis is applied to future bus and automotive fuel cell vehicle (FCV) system designs. This DFMA™ analysis is used to identify (1) optimal fuel cell system (FCS) operating parameters for system cost minimization, (2) FCV designs appropriate for volume manufacture, (3) FCV manufacturing supply chain de...

This article presents a design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA) methodology for estimating the capital costs of new, emerging energy technologies built at varying rates of mass-production. The methodology consists of four major steps: (1) System Conceptual Design, (2) System Physical Design, (3) Cost Modeling, and (4) Continuous Improvement to...

Photoelectrochemical water splitting is a promising route for the renewable production of hydrogen fuel. This work presents the results of a technical and economic feasibility analysis conducted for four hypothetical, centralized, large-scale hydrogen production plants based on this technology. The four reactor types considered were a single bed pa...

Hydrogen (H2) production and delivery (P&D) pathways are analyzed to determine the most economical, environmentally-benign, and societally-feasible paths forward for the production and delivery of H2 fuel for fuel cell vehicles (FCVs). This research identifies key "bottlenecks" to the success of these pathways, primary cost drivers, and remaining R...

Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) need to compete in a mature vehicle market. Therefore, it is crucial to identify the performance, design, and manufacturing conditions needed to reduce FCV costs to where they can compete. Thus, a design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA) analysis is applied to the cost to manufacture a FCV's hydrogen-fueled polymer elect...

This paper is a summary of the manufacturing processes used in recent automotive fuel cell system cost analyses funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Through these analyses, DOE examines the projected cost of an 80-kW polymer-electrolyte fuel cell system manufactured at a rate of 500,000 systems per year. Directed Technologies Inc. (DTI) a...

Anautomotive polymer-electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) system with ultra-low platinum loading (0.15 mg-Pt cm(-2)) has been analyzed to determine the relationship between its design-point efficiency and the system efficiency at part loads, efficiency over drive cycles, stack and system costs, and heat rejection. The membrane electrode assemblies in the r...

Report documenting the biological and engineering characteristics of five algal and bacterial hydrogen production systems selected by DOE and NREL for evaluation.

This report summarizes a multi-year Directed Technologies Inc. (DTI) project to study the build-out of hydrogen production facilities during the transition from gasoline internal combustion engine vehicle to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The primary objectives of the project are to develop an enhanced understanding of hydrogen production issues duri...

Achieving a successful transition to hydrogen-powered vehicles in the U.S. automotive market will require strong and sustained commitment by hydrogen producers, vehicle manufacturers, transporters and retailers, consumers, and governments. The interaction of these agents in the marketplace will determine the real costs and benefits of early market...

Fuel cell vehicles can be powered directly by hydrogen or, with an onboard chemical processor, other liquid fuels such as gasoline or methanol. Most analysts agree that hydrogen is the preferred fuel in terms of reducing vehicle complexity, but one common perception is that the cost of a hydrogen infrastructure would be excessive. According to this...

The Fuel Cell Technology Advisory Panel (FCTAP) reported to CARB that hydrogen "is not considered a technically and economically feasible fuel for private automobiles now nor in the foreseeable future." Yet Directed Technologies, Inc. (DTI) has concluded that hydrogen is technically feasible today for fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen may very well b...

Directed Technologies, Inc. has completed three analysis projects for the hydrogen program office during the past year: a detailed mass production cost estimate for stationary proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems, an assessment of the costs of producing electricity from stationary fuel cells for buildings with hydrogen and heat cogenera...

Market penetration models are presented, illustrating that direct hydrogen fuel cell vehicles could eventually provide industry with substantial return on investment without government subsidy, while at the same time significantly reducing environmental degradation and oil imports. This market penetration model estimates the likely number of fuel c...

Fuel cell vehicles can be powered directly by hydrogen stored on the vehicle, or indirectly by extracting hydrogen from onboard liquid fuels such as methanol or gasoline. The direct hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is preferred, since it would be less complex, have better fuel economy, lower greenhouse gas emissions, greater oil import reductions and wou...

This report determines cost and performance requirements for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell vehicles carrying pure H{sub 2} fuel, to achieve parity with internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. A conceptual design of a near term FCEV (fuel cell electric vehicle) is presented. Complete power system weight and cost breakdowns are presente...

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Directed Technologies, Inc. has previously submitted a detailed technical assessment and concept design for a mid-size, five-passenger fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), under contract to the Argonne National Laboratory. As a supplement to that contract, DTI has reviewed the literature and conducted a preliminary evaluation of two energy carriers f...

Directed Technologies, Inc. has completed two analysis projects for the hydrogen program office during the past year: an assessment of battery augmentation for residential fuel cell systems, and an analysis of the effects of applying PNGV (Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles) body parameters to both fuel cell vehicles and to hybrid electri...