Environmental Input-Output Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment Applied to the Case of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Buses

Abstract

Our socio-economic system, highly supported by the employment of energy, has resulted in an increase of greenhouse gas emissions along with other pollutants. Among others, road transportations, public electricity and heat production represent the key sources that mostly contribute to the raise of air pollution levels. In these regards, hydrogen might be a desirable alternative but it depends on the way it is produced, distributed and used. In the present paper I compare the current transportation system running on diesel buses with an alternative system working with fuel cells buses supported by large scale production of hydrogen via steam methane reforming at the European Union level. The analysis is developed by applying environmental input-output analysis and life cycle assessment tools. Structural changes are needed to preserve environmental quality.

Keywords: Fuel Cells Technology, Hybrid Environmental Input-Output Analysis

JEL Classification: Q56