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What Every Citizen should know
Introduction to Hydrogen Energy
Hydrogen (H2) is the key energy medium for non-polluting technology.
When Hydrogen combines with Oxygen, water is formed, and energy is released. This energy can be harnessed as a combustible flame, or converted directly into electricity. Hydrogen can be used to fuel an internal combustion engine with zero pollution (link to engine conversions)! An even more exciting and efficient method of utilizing Hydrogen is through fuel cells (link), which can be used to power electric cars, or even to power your home.
H2+1/2 O2 -->> H2O+energy
Hydrogen is the third most abundant element on the Earth?s surface (usually in the form of water), and the most abundant element in the universe- it is the fuel of stars. Producing flame or electricity from Hydrogen has only one major bi-product, and that is pure water.
Pure Hydrogen can be derived in a number of ways, including electrolysis, biomass digestion, and coal gassification (link to H2 production). Since energy must be invested to isolate Hydrogen, H2 is considered an energy storage medium rather than an energy source. It is important to remember that sustainable energy sources, such as photovoltaics and wind generators, are the second key to a true energy revolution (links here to sustainable energy sites). Hydrogen can be stored as a compressed gas, in solid metal hydrides, or as a liquid in cryogenic tanks (link to Hydrogen Storage).
The Hydrogen Economy
The real new economy is the Hydrogen economy (not buyrightnow.com).
Hydrogen can and will replace the existing energy infrastructure currently dominated by fossil fuels, nuclear power, and other pollutants. Best of all, the technology to accomplish this energy revolution already exists! The economy is driven by its energy systems, and the only way to bring about a major shift in energy systems is through the economy. In this time of emergent energy crises, demonstrated in rising prices of fossil fuels and skyrocketing electrical bills, the economy could not be riper for shifting energy gears. Texaco and Shell are very aware of this fact- they have begun to invest already in the Hydrogen economy!
We all know that we humans are killing the planet with our polluting ways. We all know that drastic changes must be made, and soon! Yet we continue to live the same way because, unfortunately, we live in an economically driven world. We need food and shelter, and we need to participate in the economy to get those things. Usually, this means owning a car, driving to work, paying your power bill and so on. The thought of giving up those securities scares us to death. In the hydrogen economy, we can begin to make the changes we must make to stabilize the world?s environmental woes, while maintaining, or even improving economic comfort!
The key to the success of the hydrogen economy is, quite simply, supply and demand. Right now, not many people know about the use of Hydrogen as a fuel. The devices for implementing Hydrogen exist, but are expensive due to low demand. When these same devices, such as hydride storage tanks and fuel cells, are in high demand, they will be mass -produced, and the price of the technology will drop. It is that simple.
What Can I Do?
Spread the Word; Because of the law of supply and demand, the most important thing any of us can do is to learn about Hydrogen, and then spread the word. The more people know, the quicker changes can take place.
Try It For Yourself!
The next level of activism is to implement some of the many Hydrogen technologies available, such as small engine conversions or simple electrolysers (preferrably solar or wind-powered) on a small scale. Recruit your friends. Join the Amercan Hydrogen Association. Convert a BBQ grill to operate on Hydrogen fuel instead of propane, and invite people to H2 BBQ Potlucks! Talk about Hydrogen with everyone you know and meet. The more people know, the more demand increases.
Invest
As more and more people hear about Hydrogen technology, the possiblities for entrepreneurship abound. As the climate ripens, you may find an opening for a hydrogen-based business. If you are a mechanic, hydrogen conversion of automobiles may be in your future. If you are an electrician, maybe now would be a good time to learn about self contained home power systems that utilize a windmill or photovoltaic array to electrolyze Hydrogen for everyday use. You could make a small fortune in the Hydrogen economy just converting water heaters! On a larger scale, we must have hydrogen production facilities like te one the AHA is building right now. Your support is needed to make these facilities a reality. You may wish to support other hydrogen producers, or you may wish to build your own hydrogen produciton facility