Peter and the (hydrogen) fuel cell (Schatz Energy Lab founder interview)

[jpak]

http://www.northcoastjournal.com/081706/cover0817.html

IF YOU BELIEVE IN THE AWESOME POTENTIAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY, then talking to Peter Lehman can be a real turn-off.

<snip>

As Lehman sees it, however, the myths about hydrogen energy are big distractions from the real energy challenges facing the planet, America in particular.

"The biggest misconception people have is that hydrogen energy technology is a silver bullet technology that will save our butts and enable us to have business as usual and not have to deal with dwindling energy supplies and global climate change," Lehman said recently.

<snip>

So why even bother with hydrogen and fuel cells?

Because, according to Lehman and his colleagues, at some point in the future — perhaps 20, 30 or 40 years from now — conventional energy sources will be so scarce that humankind will have to rely mostly on renewable energy sources like wind and solar. In that scenario, hydrogen technology will be critically important for storing and transporting energy.

<much more>

[billbradley]

1. that article is depressing n/t

[mike_c]

2. nice article-- I've met Peter a number of times since...

...we both work at the same University-- and I can totally see him turning down that offer at the end of the article. I don't think the article is particularly depressing, or at least no more so than the reality that underlies it. Peter is right about H₂ not being a viable energy source-- the only way to acquire it-- on Earth-- is to remove it from other compounds, which requires energy inputs, and renders H₂ a viable storage medium only when using the energy directly is not more efficient, or when the energy would otherwise be lost.