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12ОБРАЗОВАНИЕ И НАУЧНО-ИССЛЕДОВАТЕЛЬСКИЕ ЦЕНТРЫ
EDUCATION AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CENTRES
Статья поступила в редакцию 03.08.12. Ред. рег. № 1386 The article has entered in publishing office 03.08.12. Ed. reg. No. 1386
УДК 620.91
ЛАТВИЙСКАЯ ВОДОРОДНАЯ АССОЦИАЦИЯ: ПУТЬ К ПРИМЕНЕНИЮ ВОДОРОДНЫХ ТЕХНОЛОГИЙ В ЛАТВИИ
Я. Клеперис1, Б. Слока2
1Институт физики твердого тела при Латвийском университете
Латвия, Рига, LV-1063, ул. Кенгарага, д. 8 Тел.: (+371)67262145, (+371)67132778; e-mail: [email protected] 2Факультет экономики и менеджмента при Латвийском университете Латвия, Рига, LV-1063, бульв. Аспазияс, д. 5 Тел.: (+371) 29244966; e-mail: [email protected]
Заключение совета рецензентов: 20.08.12 Заключение совета экспертов: 25.08.12 Принято к публикации: 30.08.12
Исследование водородных технологий в Латвии имеет долгую историю, однако Водородная ассоциация была основана только в 2005 г. Основными задачами Ассоциации являются сбор информации по водородным технологиям и проектам в ЕС и в мире; налаживание контактов с аналогичными структурами в соседних государствах и использование их опыта; актуализация данных по исследованиям в Латвии; организация в Латвии всевозможных мероприятий для ученых; распространение понимания водородной экономики среди политиков и чиновников; стимулирование государственной поддержки исследований водородных технологий; стимулирование реализации демонстрационных и рыночно ориентированных проектов, разработанных при содействии частных лиц и государственных структур.
Ключевые слова: водородная ассоциация, водородные технологии, история исследований водорода.
LATVIAN HYDROGEN ASSOCIATION: PATHWAY TO IMPLEMENTATION OF HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGIES IN LATVIA
J. Kleperis1, B. Sloka2
'Institute of Solid State Physics; University of Latvia 8 Kengaraga str., Riga, LV-1063, Latvia Tel.: (+371)67262145, (+371)67132778; e-mail: [email protected] 2Faculty of Economics and Management of University of Latvia Aspazijas bulv. 5, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia Tel.: (+371) 29244966; e-mail: [email protected]
Referred: 20.08.12 Expertise: 25.08.12 Accepted: 30.08.12
Latvian Hydrogen Association was established on 2005 with tasks to gather information on hydrogen projects and activities in EU and World; to establish contacts with Hydrogen Associations in neighborhood countries and learn from their experience and achievements; to maintain the data base about hydrogen researches and projects in Latvia; to organize seminars and round-table discussions for hydrogen related researchers in Latvia; to disseminate the ideas and conceptions about hydrogen economy and hydrogen society between politicians and governmental clerks; to call on the Latvian government to promote and support the research, development and education activities in hydrogen energy technologies; to stipulate the realization of hydrogen energy demonstration projects and market - oriented hydrogen technology activities between private and governmental institutions.
Keywords: hydrogen association, hydrogen technologies, history of hydrogen researches.
International Scientific Journal for Alternative Energy and Ecology № 09 (113) 2012
© Scientific Technical Centre «TATA», 2012
Professor of Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Latvia. Scientific interests: marketing research; regional development; education development. She teaches the following courses: Research Methods and Organization, Recent Research Methods in Economics and Management, Marketing Research, Quantitative Mehods in Marketing Research, Quantitative Methods in Decision Making, Multivariate Analysis. Professional activities: Member of Council of Faculty of Economics and Management; Council of Management study programs at University of Latvia; Member of the European Studies Program Board; Chairperson of Baltic Sea Region Studies program in University of Latvia; Director of EuroFaculty Riga Centre (September 1, 2000 - June 30, 2005); The expert in higher education quality assurance; President of Latvian Association of Statisticians. Biruta Sloka has more than 70 scientific publications.
Biruta Sloka
Introduction
World energy resources are based on fossil fuels mostly (coal, oil, gas) which don't regenerate and will be run low after 30-80 years [1]. The forecasts from Olduvai theory [2] shows that our Industrial Civilization will be last on the Earth, because all fossil energy resources available on our Earth will be exhausted very soon (next 50-80 years). Accordingly estimations from that theory on 2025 we will be equal with 1930, when there were fossil resources and no technologies, but on 2025 we will have technologies and no fossil resources. Therefore it is necessary to elaborate alternative energy sources today. Also Latvia's energy balance is based mostly on the burning of fossil fuels and importing it from neighbour countries [3]. One from much outstanding alternative energy sources is hydrogen [4].
Hydrogen is considered to be an ideal energy carrier in the foreseeable future [5]. It can be produced from water by using a variety of energy sources, such as solar, nuclear and fossil, and it can be converted into useful energy forms efficiently and without detrimental environmental effects. The only by-product is water or water vapour and small amounts of NOx (if air is used for hydrogen combustion). When solar, wind, hydropower energy are used to produce hydrogen from water, both the primary and secondary forms of energy become renewable and environmentally compatible, resulting in an ideal, clean and permanent energy system - the Solar (Wind, Hydropower) Hydrogen Energy System.
Hydrogen can be used in any application in which fossil fuels are being used today, with sole exception of cases in which carbon is specifically needed. Hydrogen can be used as a fuel in furnaces, internal combustion engines, turbines and jet engines, even more efficiently than fossil fuels, i.e., coal, petroleum and natural gas. Automobiles, buses, trains, ships, submarines, airplanes and rockets can run on hydrogen. Hydrogen can also be converted directly to electricity by the fuel cells, with a variety of applications in transportation and stationary power generation. Metal hydride technologies offer a variety of applications in refrigeration, air conditioning, hydrogen storage and purification. Combustion of hydrogen with oxygen results in pure steam, which has
many applications in industrial processes. Moreover, hydrogen is an important industrial gas and raw material in numerous industries, such as computer, metallurgical, chemical, pharmaceutical, fertilizer and food industries.
In this article we will summarize the hydrogen research history and active projects in Latvia.
Accessibility of Electricity from Renewable Resources - Latvia's Case
The power supply in Latvia is based on local resources - water, wind, biogas (partly from waste), wood, peat, and on imported resources (natural gas, natural liquid gas, oil products (including heavy black oil) and coal [26]. Total demand for electricity in Latvia only partly (63% in 2002) is covered with that produced on the site. If energy for heating in Latvia is produced from fossil fuels mostly (natural gas and heavy oil), than more than half of electricity produced in Latvia are based on local renewable resources (prevalent is water - see Table 1).
Таблица 1
Классификация потребляемой в Латвии энергии по принципу производства в 2002 и 2009 гг.
[26]. HEPS - гидроэлектростанция, TEPS -теплоэнергостанция
Table 1
The classification of electricity consumed Latvia on 2002 and 2009 by production technology [26].
HEPS - hydro-electro-power station, TEPS -thermal-electro-power station
Electricity consumed 2002, % 2009, %
Total supplied electricity i00 i00
Electricity produced in Latvia 62.87 77
HEPS 38.49 46.89
TEPS i 9.58 20.4i
Block-stations, co-generation etc. 4.i6 8.06
HEPS on small rivers 0.47 0.9i
Wind power generators 0.i7 0.69
Biogas electro-stations 0 0.04
Import of electricity 37.i3 23
Only one conclusion can be made from Table 1: to cover import of electricity, the hydrogen technologies must be implemented, using biogas and biomass as valuable local renewable resources.
History of Hydrogen Researches in Latvia
Hydrogen researches in Latvia started more than hundred years ago with Wilhelm Ostwald (born on September 2, 1853 in Riga, Latvia, Professor of Chemistry at the Polytechnicum in Riga 1881-1887) [6]. Ostwald is founder of the field of physical chemistry and provided much of the theoretical understanding of how fuel cells operate. In 1893, he experimentally determined the interconnected roles of the various components of the fuel cell: electrodes, electrolyte, oxidizing and reducing agents, anions, and cations [7]. Grove had speculated that the action in his gas battery occurred at the point of contact between electrode, gas, and electrolyte, but was at a loss to explain further. Ostwald, drawing on his pioneering work in relating physical properties and chemical reactions, solved the puzzle of Grove's gas battery [7]. His exploration of the underlying chemistry of fuel cells laid the groundwork for later fuel cell researchers. Andrew Dravnieks (1912-1986; from 1956 in USA) first researches was about electrolyte in fuel cell, and back in 1961 he with colleagues proposed to use the zirconium phosphate as membrane in fuel cell [8]. Martins Straumanis (1898-1973) worked at Department of Physics of University of Latvia in 1930ies. After Second World War (2WW) he moved to USA and was elected as Professor at Missuri University (USA) on 1962. His first investigations in USA was determination of crystal structures of different metals (Cu, Ti, Zr, Hf u.c.) and hydrogen bronzes (MxWO3, M=H, Na, K, Li) [9]. From 1923 the Department of Physics was established in University of Latvia, and Fricis Gulbis (1897-1978) was first Professor; he conducted research about positive electricity (H+ ions) emission from palladium. Emission current was registered from palladium wire, and effect was noticed, that current amplitude depends from environment in which palladium was immersed (water, acid, air) [10].
After 2nd World War different Research Institutes were established at Academy of Science of Soviet Socialistic Latvia Republic after example of Russia. Hydrogen researches were performed in Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, which was built up in Salaspils. In 1950ies first hydrogen-metal researches (metal corrosion) was made in laboratory of Prof. Lidija Liepina. She investigated corrosion mechanism of metals in water and formulated idea that this process is going through the formation of metal hydrides [11]. Later (1960ies) metal hydride laboratory was established in this institute, under supervision of Dr. A.Lokenbaha and V.Breicis. Different metal hydride synthesis and thermal and hydrothermal decomposition processes were investigated. Military offices (previous USSR) knew the importance of energy capacious technologies and change
the direction of this laboratory to researches of light metal hydrides (mostly Al and Mg). All researches were top-secret, connected with different USSR military projects. No publications remain from those times. When Awaking started in Latvia (1989/1990) and militarists turned back to Moscow, all documentation about existing researches were destroyed. Uldis Korsaks, V. Zilinskis and Maris Tiltins were last who tried to prolong investigations (hydrogen photo catalytic production and hydrogen accumulation in light metals), but didn't prosper with grants from Council of Science and left this laboratory on the end of 1990ies.
Electrochemistry reborn in University of Latvia (Faculty of Chemistry) between 1950-1960, when Gunars Slaidins returned from Moscow's Institute of Electrochemistry, where he elaborated doctor work under supervision of Prof. A.N. Frumkin. G. Slaidins investigated proton diffusion phenomena in nickel oxides [12]. He prolonged that researches in University of Latvia together with Uldis Alksnis, Sigurds Takeris and other. From the beginning of 1970ies, the researches in the field of electrochromic phenomena started at Semiconductor Research Laboratory of Institute of Solid State Physics of University of Latvia (ISSP UL) under supervision of Andrejs Lusis and Janis Klavins. Investigation of proton diffusion in transition metal oxides (WO3 and MoO3) allowed designing sandwich type multi-layer devices changing their colour under influence of electric current [13, 14]. Cooperation of A. Lusis and G. Slaidins activated proton diffusion researches in metals and oxides. Hydrogen brittleness in ferrous alloys was investigated by using optical hydrogen indicator - WO3 (J. Kleperis, S. Takeris, A. Lusis, J. Lagzdons). Original optical method was discovered for preliminary diagnostic of corrosion in alloys [15], hydrogen gas sensor was made based on tungsten hydrogen bronzes [16]. Gas-chromatic effect was discovered in WO3/Pd and WO3/Pd/alloy systems in the presence of H2 in atmosphere [17]. Photoelectrochemical synthesis of hydrogen was investigated by J. Kleperis and A. Veispals on monocrystallic WO3:Ti films [18]. Department of Semiconductor Materials of ISSP UL under supervision of Andrejs Lusis became solid state ionics centre in previous USSR. First conferences in Solid State Ionics started here. Unfortunately after Awaking on the end of 1980ies financing of science in Latvia corrupted. Best research technique was moved to Russia, researches change their profession or migrated to West. Only some enthusiasts are working here nowadays. Some investigations in the field of electrochemical energy conversion still are prolonged in Latvia and by Latvians abroad (Guntars Vaivars in South Africa, Girts Vitins in Great Britain, Andris Azens in Sweden, Juris Purans in France, Janis Grabis, Antonija Dindune, Andrejs Lusis, Janis Kleperis and others - in Latvia [19, 20]).
After the Latvia access to the European Union in 2004, the Science in Latvia began to flourish. Hydrogen laboratory was established at Institute of Solid State
International Scientific Journal for Alternative Energy and Ecology № 09 (113) 2012
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Physics of University of Latvia on 2004 under supervision of Janis Kleperis. Today the Hydrogen laboratory are conducting researches on all aspects of hydrogen energy - both the production (by electrolysis, photo-electrolysis, pyrolysis, biological: photosynthesis and fermentation) and storage (metal hydrides and metal-oxide composites), and usage (autonomous energy supply, vehicles (both electric and internal combustion engine), fuel cells, etc.). Indispensable consultants are docent Dr.chem. Guntars Vaivars and main researcher Dr.chem. Gunars Bajars; "gold hands" are to engineers Vladimirs Nemcevs, Laimonis Jekabsons, Alex Alsbergs. Already two new Doctors of Sciences (Dr.phys) defended his doctoral thesis on hydrogen technologies (Liga Grinberga about hydrogen storage materials [21] and Julija Hodakovska about polymer membranes with mixed conductivity - proton and electron one [22]). Advanced electrolysis methods (plasma discharge, very short pulses) are developed by PhD student Martins Vanags [23], but biological hydrogen production methods are conducted by Ilze Dimanta (born Klepere) [24] and Arturs Gruduls. The first "push: to develop the hydrogen research in the Latvia gave the first cooperation project with researchers from Denmark and Norway with help of Nordic Energy Research, but further support to development of hydrogen technologies came from the first and second National Research Programs in energy (chaired by Academician Juris Ekmanis). Collaboration with Riga Technical University started on 2006 with participation in ERDF project "Development of new materials and electro-computer management software for hydrogen energy systems". As practical result from this project the small electric-hydrogen car (carting) was built on Ballard 1.2 kW fuel cell, Maxwell's supercapacitor 165 F and DC electric motor 800 W (Figure).
Support from European Social Fund is important to attract students, engineers and researchers. In Latvia already for several years are organized events of presentation of achievements in use of alternative fuel in cars, including hydrogen. During the event in 2010 was performed marketing research by help of survey to get information on readiness of the public to use alternative fuel in their personal cars [25]. The data for the study was collected via a questionnaire. All respondents were residents of Latvia. In the questionnaire were questions on respondent's environmental knowledge, attitudes, behavior as well as information on socio-economic characteristics of respondents. As the survey results show, most of the respondents are very positive (with surprisingly high evaluations) to alternative energy technologies [25]. The main conclusions was that there appears to be a lack of knowledge about hydrogen energy and technologies and people are willing to know more about renewable energy opportunities and offers per se. During last 3 years in largest Latvian higher education establishments number of students for bachelor, master science and doctoral level studies are chosen topics about hydrogen technologies.
Ядро «водородной» команды Института физики твердого тела при Латвийском университете (фото Тениса Димантса) The core from Hydrogen Team at Institute of Solid State Physics of University of Latvia (photo by Tenis Dimants)
Recent and Ongoing Hydrogen Projects in Latvia
Latvia has not yet realized hydrogen technology projects in large scale, there are no also demonstration projects on hydrogen technologies, but researchers from main Universities and Institutes are involved in different activities. Renewable energy technologies are taught at Riga Technical University (RTU) and The Latvia University of Agriculture (LLU), but management and marketing of renewable energy resources and technologies - at Faculty of Economics and Management of University of Latvia (UL). Hydrogen technology topics like as renewable energy always are interdisciplinary, including knowledge from natural sciences, technical sciences and social sciences. Therefore it would be welcome to include them in all three largest Latvian higher education establishments -RTU, LLA and LU together with "classic" renewables. Now only one practical work on hydrogen storage technology is included to bachelor and master science students in Faculty of Physics and Mathematics of UL. Are hydrogen technologies too futurist to be teach today more widely in Latvia? Various demonstration projects are successfully realized around the entire world as well there are couple examples of successfully organized study courses about hydrogen energy technologies, storage and implementation, developed and taught in higher education institutions already in some countries: e.g. Iceland - Fuel Cells and hydrogen energy Master's program in the School for Renewable Energy Science, USA - Stanford's University - class on fuel cell science and technology and other. Different experts of the hydrogen field (both academia personal and from private sector - energy companies as well as governmental organizations) could be invited to give lectures as well as Latvia's Hydrogen research laboratory staff could be invited to share their work experience and organize some laboratory or field work. Scientists already lectured in Riga, Madona, Liepaja, Jelgava. Recent and ongoing hydrogen projects in Latvia are collected in Table 2.
Таблица 2
Обзор латвийских проектов, связанных с водородом, за последние 8 лет
Table 2
Hydrogen related research projects in Latvia during last 8 years
No. Project Title Institution, supervisor Project duration
1 "Integration of advanced hydrogen storage materials and systems into the hydrogen society" The Nordic Energy Research Project O5493, NERP No. 46-02; PhD project 4 "Integration of electrolytic hydrogen into the hydrogen storage devices" ISSP University of Latvia, Dr. Janis Kleperis, PhD student Liga Grinberga 20032008
2 LR Ministry of Science & Education, project TOP_05.75 "Integration of electrolytic hydrogen into the hydrogen storage devices" ISSP University of Latvia, Dr. Janis Kleperis 20052006
3 State Research Program PP-05-15 „Modern functional materials for microelectronics, nano-electronics, fotonics, biomedicine", sub-project 1.6. „Materials for gas sensors and energetic" ISSP University of Latvia, Dr. Janis Kleperis 20052008
4 ERDF, activity 2.5.1. "Support to research projects", the project "New materials and electro-technology & management software for hydrogen energy systems" ISSP University of Latvia, Riga Technical University, Dr. Janis Kleperis 20062008
5 LR Ministry of Science & Education, Tender „Research development in high schools" project "Elaboration of electric converter for FC and the test of dynamic regimes" Riga Technical University, Prof. Leonids Ribickis 20062008
6 ESF Program "Renewing studying programs in high schools", sub-project "Practical work for students: hydrogen energy materials" ISSP University of Latvia, PhD student Liga Grinberga, Dr. Janis Kleperis 20062007
7 Grant from Latvian Council of Science No. 09.1192 "Research of properties and structure of nanosize composite materials for hydrogen storage and electrodes for water electrolysis" ISSP University of Latvia, Dr. Liga Grinberga 2009
8 Grant from Latvian Council of Science No. 09.1195 "Research and development of proton conducting PEEK polymer and composite membranes and catalysts for use in direct methanol and hydrogen fuel cells" ISSP University of Latvia, Dr. Janis Kleperis 2009
9 State Research Program in Materialscience" Project 1 „Development of new materials for fotonics and hydrogen energetics" ISSP University of Latvia, Dr.hab. Linards Skuja, sub-project - Dr. Janis Kleperis 20052009
10 State Research Program „Research and development of new methods and technologies for energy" Project 3 „Research and development of hydrogen production and usage technologies" ISSP University of Latvia, Dr. Janis Kleperis 20062009
11 FW6 project, including Nordic Council "Technology Cycle Analyses of Biohydrogen BioH2" Riga Technical University, Prof. Dagnija Blumberga 20052007
12 Grant from Latvian Council of Science "Life Cycle Analyses of Biohydrogen Production" Riga Technical University, Prof. Dagnija Blumberga 20062007
13 Grant from Latvian Council of Science "Research and Development of Technologies of Obtaining and Utilisation of Hydrogen" Institute of Inorganic Chemistry of Riga Technical University, Dr. Janis Licis 20062007
14 University of Latvia, Research project No. LU 2007/ZI2 - 09; 2008/Y2-ZP10-100 "Materials and devices for hydrogen energetics, I and II" ISSP University of Latvia, Dr. Janis Kleperis 20072008
15 Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) "Development and pilot-project implementation on eco-effective transport system in Latvia" SIA "Hydrogen Power Development", Imants Dirba 20092010
16 Grant from Student Council of University of Latvia "Comparative Study of bio-hydrogen production and storage methods" ISSP UL; Ilze Klepere 2010
17 Grant from Investment and Development Agency of Latvia "Development a technical design sketches of small-scale corona discharge Plazonex air filter models" Ltd „Adviser Union" Mr. Janis Fricsons 2011
18 Grant from Riga City Council and SwedBank "Hydrogen based heater for vehicle salon and engine" Ltd „Cell Tech" Dr.phys. Modris Megnis 2010
19 Grant from Latvian Council of Science No. 09.1195 "Research and development of proton conducting PEEK polymer and composite membranes and catalysts for use in direct methanol and hydrogen fuel cells" ISSP UL; Janis Kleperis 20102012
20 Grant from Latvian Council of Science No. 09.1192 "Research of properties and structure of nanosize composite materials for hydrogen storage and electrodes for water electrolysis" ISSP UL; Liga Grinberga 20102012
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2i Project from European Regional Development Fund "Calcium carbonate production and hydrogen membrane" Biomechanics and Physical Research Institute, Eriks Skripsts 20ii-20i3
22 Project from European Regional Development Fund "New technology to produce and separate hydrogen in anaerobic fermentation process" Biomechanics and Physical Research Institute, Dr.chem. Guntars Vaivars 20ii-20i3
23 Funding of Climate Change Finance Facility "From wind derived energy usage in commercial transport" Power Project Ltd; OSC Ltd Imants Dirba 20ii
24 National Research Program "Energy and Environment", Project No.4 "Research of methods for hydrogen production, storage and energy release, and development of prototypes for application in national economy" LAS, ISSP UL; Dr.phys. Janis Kleperis 20i0-20i3
25 Project from European Regional Development Fund "Stand-alone energy supply system up to 10kW using hydrogen for energy storage" Riga Technical University, Prof. Leonids Ribickis 20i0-20i3
26 National Research Program "Energy and Environment", Project No.6 "Analysis, development and optimization of power transformers for renewable and hydrogen energy technologies" LAS, IIEET RTU; Prof. Leonids Ribickis 20i0-20i3
Latvian Hydrogen Association
Latvian Hydrogen Association was founded in 2005 to facilitate the Hydrogen Economy in the Latvian economy, using mainly local natural energy sources and hydrogen as an energy carrier for transport and industrial sectors of the country with the least impact on the environment, and to support environmentally-friendly energy consumption and production. Between members in association are 4 research institutes, 5 small enterprises and 10 private persons. The mission of Latvian Hydrogen Association is to consolidate the scientists and business, working with technologies and materials for renewable energy, to address and solve the important issues to the general public.
Main objectives of Latvian Hydrogen Association:
- Accelerate the scientific and technological development of hydrogen technologies in the science, promote in education, in the economy and implement in cooperation with Latvian and Europe entrepreneurs.
- To promote hydrogen technologies resulting in reduced environmental impact, as well as provide support to environmentally friendly energy consumption and production forms.
- To merge the research institutions, public authorities and hydrogen technology industry in joint projects, to participate in an international projects.
- To represent the members of association in the exhibitions, conferences and congresses promoting the education of new specialists in hydrogen technology and related fields.
To realize defined goals the Latvian Hydrogen Association should be the following tasks:
- To promote hydrogen technologies and hydrogen Latvian association's recognition of Latvian and European level and to establish a link with other such organizations in Europe.
- To promote the visibility of members of Latvian Hydrogen Association, services offered and technology sales in Latvian and European level, including finding new market outlets, new technological developments and businesses grow.
- To support researches into renewable energy technology and material research fields with aim to create new technologies combining different available natural energy resources (biomass, biogas, hydrogen, wind, sun, water).
- Strengthen the knowledge and know-how transfer between science and business, to strengthen the technological capacity of enterprises and practical experience and knowledge of business needs in the research institutions.
- Public express the views on the emerging hydrogen technology development related issues, to promote interest in the media about development of economy sectors, the innovations, the demonstration projects with hydrogen technologies in the Latvian economy.
- Encourage the formation of a new initiative to participate in local and European research projects and implement activities that are promoted within the framework of Latvian Hydrogen Association goals.
- Ensure public and stakeholder training in hydrogen technology basics, development, and application, and possibilities to develop new technologies and opportunities in the trends of research.
- Promote the professional development of energy specialists by promoting cooperation between holders of hydrogen technology, industry manufacturers and educational institutions, to promote improvement of educational opportunities for new specialists in hydrogen technologies and their application related areas, to engage in vocational training of skilled workers aftertraining program development.
- To promote investment flows in hydrogen technologies.
Conclusions
Only one practical work on hydrogen storage technology nowadays is taught to bachelor and master science students in the University o Latvia. Are hydrogen technologies too futurist to be teach today more widely in Latvia? Various demonstration projects are successfully realized around the entire world as well there are couple examples of successfully organized
study courses about hydrogen energy technologies, storage and implementation, developed and taught in higher educational institutions already in some countries: e.g. Iceland - Fuel Cells and hydrogen energy Master's program in the School for Renewable Energy Science, USA - Stanford's University - class on fuel cell science and technology and other. Evaluating hydrogen as energy carrier usage possibilities in economics it seems that hydrogen production in small quantities would be efficient only when alternative, renewable energies are used to produce it. What can Latvia learn from them? The implementation of hydrogen in energy sector and as fuel in transport sector will give political and economical freedom to Latvia. Do we need it?
Acknowledgements
This work is supported by the National Research Program in Energy&Environment of Latvia (LATENERGY 2010-2013).
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23. Vanags M., Kleperis J. and Bajars G. Electrolyses model development for metal/electrolyte interface: Testing with microrespiration sensors // Intern. Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2011. Vol. 36. P. 1316-1320.
24. Klepere I., Muiznieks I., Kleperis J. A bacterial hydrogen production test system for measuring H2 concentrations in liquids and gases // Latvian Journal of Physics and Technical Sciences. 2010. No. 2. P. 60-68.
25. Dimants J., Sloka B., Kleperis J., Klepere I. Hydrogen as innovative technology for a sustainable energy supply. 2010. Proc. 11th Bi-Annual Conference on European Association for Comparative Economic Studies. Tartu, Estonia. 12 pages. Website: http://ec.ut.ee/ eaces2010/artiklid/Dimants%20Sloka%20Kleperis%20Kl epere-Hydrogen%20as%20innovative.pdf; Last access 13.05.2012.
26. Ministry of Economics, Department of Energy: Website: http://www.em.gov.lv/em/2nd/?lng=en&cat= 30166; Last access 18.05.2012.
ГХПI — TATA — LXJ
International Scientific Journal for Alternative Energy and Ecology № 09 (113) 2012
© Scientific Technical Centre «TATA», 2012
