Nanotechnology in solar hydrogen production

Abstract

The projected increase in human population has triggered the comprehensive search for suitable renewable energy related electrical power generation technologies. The efforts to exploit these technologies dates back to the last century, but breakthroughs certainly fall short in terms of competition with the current fossil fuel based energy systems. One of the strong points that allow solar energy to remain competitive is the fast deterioration of the environment and the accompanying natural disasters linked to the extensive usage of fossil-fuels. Concepts such as energy efficiency and energy conservation must be converted to strategies and initiatives, leveraging on nanotechnology as one of the important elements in solar hydrogen production. Although solar hydrogen production concept is not new, but the issues such as effective energy balance and management have been hindering the implementation process. The practicality and total energy management studies must be able to facilitate the sustainable implementation of solar hydrogen related electrical power generation systems. In this chapter, an Integrated Nano-Solar Hydrogen Production Scheme is discussed. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010.