4829 x 3477 px | 40,9 x 29,4 cm | 16,1 x 11,6 inches | 300dpi
Date de la prise de vue:
2004
Informations supplémentaires:
Currently, imported oil fulfils most of Iceland's remaining energy needs. This is very costly to the country and has caused Iceland to focus on domestic, renewable energy. Bragi Arnason, a local professor, first proposed the idea of using hydrogen as a fuel source in Iceland during the 1970s, which is also when the oil crisis occurred. At that point in time this idea was considered untenable, but in 1999 Icelandic New Energy was established to govern the project of transitioning Iceland into the first hydrogen society by 2050. This followed a decision in 1998 by the Icelandic Parliament to convert vehicle and fishing fleets to hydrogen produced from renewable energy. Iceland provides an ideal location to test the viability of hydrogen as a fuel source for the future, since it is a small country of only 300, 000 people, with over 60% living in the capital, Reykjavík. The relatively small scale of the infrastructure will make it easier to transition the country from oil to hydrogen. There is also a plentiful supply of natural energy that can be harnessed to produce hydrogen in a renewable way, making it perfect for hydrogen production. Iceland is a participant in international hydrogen fuel research and development programs, and many countries are following the nation's progress with interest. Iceland already converts its surplus electricity into exportable goods and hydrocarbon replacements. In 2002 it produced 2, 000 tons of hydrogen gas by electrolysis—primarily for the production of ammonia for fertilizer.
