Fuel cells development and hydrogen production from renewable resources in Brazil D. Hotza a, *, J.C. Diniz da Costa b a Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88040-900 Floriano´polis, SC, Brazil b Division of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, 4072 Brisbane, QLD, Australia article info Article history: Received 17 April 2008 Accepted 17 June 2008 Available online 7 September 2008 Keywords: Fuel cells Hydrogen Energy supply Renewable sources Brazil abstract In this work we review the Brazilian energy supply matrix, in particular focusing on environmentally friendly pathways to hydrogen production and fuel cell utilisation. Brazil is currently building capacity in these areas, evident in the spectrum of technological research carried out by several universities in the fields of hydrogen production processes, catalysts and electrolyte materials. Although the fuel cell installed capacity in Brazil is limited, there are several government-funded research activities – mainly on PEM, DMFC, DEFC and SOFC, in addition to reforming and catalysis of ethanol as cell fuel. Brazil has a robust energy matrix, and 45% of its energy supply is derived from renewable resources. The future hydrogen economy in Brazil will probably rely on renewable resources, mainly from hydroelectric power and biofuels, which are plentifully available. ª 2008 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction In a carbon constraint economy, limited by dwindling fossil fuel reserves and climate change, renewable energy derived from biomass, solar, hydraulic and wind power will become increasingly important in the production of hydrogen for fuel cells utilisation. The potential for renewable energy sources is huge around the world, and in particular in Brazil, where ethanol from sugarcane is produced at extremely competitive prices. In addition to a large solar and wind energy potential, Brazil has in place an extensive hydropower electrical grid, thus favouring energy production where non-renewable carbon emissions can be no longer acceptable by our society. The most efficient and environmental benign route to transforming electricity into transportable energy must necessarily stem from hydrogen production and fuel cell technology. Renewable energy processed and stored as hydrogen in regions with large energy resources could be transported to where demand is required such as large regional centres. Countries with a large renewable energy potential such as Brazil can play an important role in devel- oping and using technologies for hydrogen production and fuel cell applications. Notwithstanding the technical issues, a big picture approach must be considered, addressing the triple bottom line (economical, environmental and social) and politics among many other issues. The wide range of fuel sources, conversion technologies and fuel processing, shown in Fig. 1, illustrate the flexibility of hydrogen and fuel cell systems. Hydrogen has been shown as an alternative for an energetic vector to replace conventional non-renewable resources based on fossil fuels. The use of hydrogen as an energy carrier may be a form of integrating the diverse possibilities of energy sources and utilisation in the near future. There are several options for hydrogen produc- tion and utilisation as outlined in Fig. 1, out of which four main technological ‘green’ paths are highlighted. Hydrogen production via electrolysis (path I) is a feasible route, espe- cially using hydro, solar or wind power where these sources are abundant. As of 2007, the country’s installed power capacity was about 100 GW, from which about 78% is based on * Corresponding author. Tel.: þ55 48 3721 9448; fax: þ55 48 3721 9687. E-mail address: dhotza@gmail.com (D. Hotza). Available at www.sciencedirect.com journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/he 0360-3199/$ – see front matter ª 2008 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2008.06.028 international journal of hydrogen energy 33 (2008) 4915–4935