How Hydrogen Can Save the World
There is a lot of hype about hydrogen in the news
today. Not surprisingly, this is due to our dependence on foreign oil.
It is no secret that there are only two ways for the United States to
experience freedom from our dependence on foreign oil: increase our
production, or decrease our demand. The most promising route is to
create alternative sources of energy, a source that is available in the
United States. There are many options; however only one will produce
fastest and most economical results and that is hydrogen.
Lawmakers and government officials have been looking at many alternative
sources of energy for a long time. They have considered coal, natural
gas, wind, solar, water and nuclear energy over the years. Still, the
best option appears to be hydrogen, and for good reason. Hydrogen is
plentiful, is more effective at storing energy than batteries, it burns
twice as effectively in a fuel cell than gasoline, and leaves only water
in it's wake, not chemicals.
In order to get this done in a timely manner, the US will have to put to
rest the complacency and get to work. In as little as ten years we could
see mass production of hydrogen-powered vehicles. Ten years, if the US
develops a plan and gets to work. According to one group of researchers
and developers, there are five objectives that the United States would
have to take care of to make this a realization. It relies on the fact
that the US would have to utilize existing infrastructures to get it
done. After the supply and demand is lined up, a cleaner version of the
hydrogen product could be created.
1. Come up with a solution to the hydrogen fuel-tank dilemma. In other
words, should gaseous, liquid or solid hydrogen be used? The simplest of
the three options would be gaseous, however the most promising would be
the solid hydrogen because of the method of dispersal.
2. Mass production of fuel-cell cars would have to become priority.
Today, the cars are slow to release to the public. With a mass
production and release of new and fuel efficient cars, many believe that
Americans will be much more responsive to the concept of a new type of
vehicle.
3. The government must create the fuel infrastructure for
hydrogen-powered cars. Of course, unless consumers are convinced they
can fuel up when they need it, they are not going to invest in the car.
The fuel-cell cars and the infrastructure will have to move forward at
the same pace and get completed simultaneously.
4. Find a way to mass-produce hydrogen in a clean way. Ideally, it would
be best to create a power source from solar, wind or hydropower to
produce the electricity needed to split the water into hydrogen and
oxygen.
5. A public campaign would have to be started to sell the new
technology. American consumers are waiting for an alternative such as
this. However, one key component is going to be cost. Expecting the
average American consumer to shell out two to four times more for a car
is not practical in today's slow economy. If the government can find a
way to make a hydrogen car that is fuel efficient, clean to the
environment and cost effective, they will hit a home run with the people
of this country.
With costs going up for everything, Americans are desperate for an
answer. Gasoline engines are no longer practical, not only because of
costs but also because of our increased dependency and strained country
relationships. It is time that we take matters into our own hands and
introduce the energy source of the future, and that is definitely
hydrogen.
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About the author
Hi, this is Michael Raber an avid environmentalist. I have been around and have seen the negative effects of our abuse of this world's natural resources the most alarming of which is global warming. I felt it was my obligation to do something and I wrote some articles on the subject. Give them a read and let's start making a difference for our children's sake.