The Hydrogen Economy

We are in the early stages of an historic change in the way we organize the earth's energy.  The Industrial Age, which began with the carrying of coal from Newcastle several hundred years ago, is now winding down in the oil fields of the Middle East.  Our petro-geologists tell us that global production of oil is likely to peak as early as 2010 or as late as 2037.  Peak refers to the point at which half of the known reserves of cheap crude oil are used up.  Once that point is reached, prices will begin to rise dramatically and continue to do so as society moves down the backside of the oil production bell curve.  Meanwhile, a whole new energy regime is being readied.  Hydrogen -- the lightest and most abundant element in the universe -- is the next great energy revolution.  Scientists call it the "forever fuel" because it never runs out.  And when hydrogen is used to produce power, the only byproducts are pure water and heat.  Hydrogen has the potential to end the world's reliance on oil.  It will dramatically cut down on carbon dioxide emissions and mitigate the effects of global warming.  And because hydrogen is so plentiful, people who have never before had access to electricity will be able to generate it.

“Hydrogen will not be a salvation to our problems. Hydrogen is not an energy source. Hydrogen is, in effect, a battery. It will always cost more energy to make hydrogen than you will get out of the hydrogen. Why, then, are we so enthusiastic about hydrogen? It is because hydrogen has some incredible capabilities. When you burn it, you get water. Further more, hydrogen in a solid fuel cell gets twice the efficiency of a reciprocating engine. We won’t know without more research and development if a hydrogen battery has the potential of being inherently more efficient than an electron battery.”
—Congressman Roscoe Bartlett
Congressman Bartlett is a scientist and senior member of the House Science Committee and chairman of its Energy Subcommittee during the 107th Congress