Shots Across The Bow

Hydrogen power

I've posted quite a few times about the realities of hydrogen power and fuel cells. To recap, while a fuel cell produces minimal pollution, hydrogen does not occur naturally and must be produced, which takes energy. Due to the 2nd law of thermodynamics, it takes more energy to produce the hydrogen than the fuel cell will yield. Essentially, the fuel cell will result in greater power usage for equivalent work, and we still have to come up with a way to generate the hydrogen. While there are a couple of promising biotech methods being studied right now, the most common approach involves electrolysis of water. Unfortunately, there is no cheap, easy, clean way to do this.

Now there's a new problem. According to this story (audio link)on NPR, free hydrogen could lead to depletion of the ozone layer.

If it's not one thing, it's another.

Here's an interesting question: If these problems are real (and I know they are. It's basic science and easy to verify), then why the push for hydrogen power?

The answer, as always, comes when we follow the money. Of all the alternative fuel sources, hydrogen is the one which is most similar to petroleum. Think about it: it's difficult to obtain, requires a significant technological investment to refine, requires special handling, requires frequent refueling, and requires a massive distribution network?

Hydrogen is a wonderful way to make the enviros happy, and ditch Arab oil while keeping the oil companies fat and happy.

Posted by Rich at June 12, 2003 11:27 PM | TrackBack