Finding 3-4. The role and use of hydrogen in stationary applications, such as in large-scale electric power production, in distributed electric generation, or for industrial applications, could be significant—before fuel cell vehicles are commercially viable as well as in the long term. The Committee on Alternatives and Strategies for Future Hydrogen Production and Use did not analyze the opportunities and trade-offs for stationary applications, especially vis-à-vis the transportation sector. Furthemore, as far as the committee can discern, and from reviewing the Department of Energy’s hydrogen research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) plan, the DOE has not developed a hydrogen RD&D strategy that systematically incorporates both the stationary and the transportation sectors, nor defined the various trade-offs and opportunities.

Recommendation 3-4. An independent, in-depth study, similar to the present study on the transportation sector, should be initiated to analyze the opportunities for hydrogen in stationary applications and to make recommendations related to a research, development, and demonstration strategy that incorporates considerations of both the transportation and the stationary sectors.