Insight and inspiration in turbulent times.
AMONG the many hurdles to be overcome before we’re all driving fuel-cell cars with exhaust that is baby’s-breath-pure – superyacht purchase prices, an almost nonexistent refueling network and some public concern about the wisdom of carrying hydrogen pressurized at 10,000 pounds per square inch – is a more basic challenge: winter.
The gap between the present state of the art in hydrogen production, storage, and use and that needed for a competitive hydrogen economy is too wide to bridge in incremental advances. It will take fundamental breakthroughs of the kind that come only from basic research.
Researchers at a government nuclear laboratory and a ceramics company in Salt Lake City say they have found a way to produce pure hydrogen with far less energy than other methods, raising the possibility of using nuclear power to indirectly wean the transportation system from its dependence on oil.
Washington, DC — Move over solar, wind power, geothermal and other renewable energy technologies – it’s all about hydrogen these days.
“Make no mistake about it, the visions being mapped out for a hydrogen economy on both sides of the Atlantic provide an excuse for the revival of nuclear and give environmental legitimacy to fossil fuels.”
Shell’s first US hydrogen station is open now, reports John Vidal. But will we all be filling up soon?
The problem with previous versions of fuel cells is that they have worked only with hydrogen and have required expensive platinum components. The advantage of the Ceres cell is that it is made largely from stainless steel and ceramics using fairly standard low-cost manufacturing techniques.
A treasure chest of downloadable presentations on Peak Oil topics, including OPEC, energy and equity, alternative energy, and hydrogen.
Eight-page report on the Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas (ASPO)conference this May in Germany…Our conclusion from the meeting? Peak Oil is real, and it’s getting closer.
UK scientists think they have taken a major step forward in making hydrogen a practical replacement for petrol.
Japan’s Electric Power Development Co. aims to soon commercialize a new electric power generation system that combines fuel cells and coal-fired thermal power, President Yoshihiko Nakagaki said Thursday.
Book review of THE HYPE ABOUT HYDROGEN: Fact and Fiction in the Race To Save the Climate, by Joseph J. Romm. (Strong focus in the review on policy.)
