R
Robert Haston
Guest
Given that My "dream car" is a fully faired bent with a fuel cell/battery booster kit, I thought
this might be an interesting idea for my fellow benters to spread.
National Hydrogen Pilot Project
If we are planning on using alternative produced hydrogen fuel cell transportation, we are running
out of time. Waiting for energy prices to drive a transition will leave us attempting to replace 200
million vehicles and their fuel infrastructure when we no longer have the cheap energy to run them,
much less build a new fleet.
Using electricity (the most costly form of energy) to get a 60% or so return in hydrogen (the least
dense and least valuable form of energy) itself isn't smart. As Denis Hayes mentioned, hydrogen is
best used as a way to store and transport energy.
The North Seas are by far our best source of wind energy, not to mention cheap real-estate. If we
are to make a serious attempt at alternative/hydrogen, the Aleutians or similar locations are our
best hope. Liquefying hydrogen for ship transport takes an additional 40% energy input. The key is
recouping this energy, turning an otherwise 40% waste into a 40% increase in energy load. Liquefied
natural gas (LNG) tankers will soon be surplus. Air conditioning is our highest non-transport energy
use. Parking the tankers off of our southern cities will provide both chilled water for air
conditioning and hydrogen for many uses. In temperate regions, this could also be used to chill or
even freeze groundwater reservoirs summer cooling use.
Everyone owning a car that they use 1 hour a day is already a waste of money. Fuel cell cars will
cost more than present cars for some time. Replacing 200 million conventional cars when we
simultaneously run out of the energy used to produce them (not to mention oil for asphalt, rubber,
etc.) is impossible. So the fuel cell car revolution should start with a citywide rental system in
conjunction with the above. Since air conditioning is a challenge for fuel cell vehicles, cars would
recharge an i nsulated ice tank while they fill up with hydrogen. This would run chilled water
through the car's seats, just like NASCAR's driver's suits.
It may not be the best idea, but it is the best one I've seen.
Looking forward to my fuel cell hybrid bent.
Cheers
this might be an interesting idea for my fellow benters to spread.
National Hydrogen Pilot Project
If we are planning on using alternative produced hydrogen fuel cell transportation, we are running
out of time. Waiting for energy prices to drive a transition will leave us attempting to replace 200
million vehicles and their fuel infrastructure when we no longer have the cheap energy to run them,
much less build a new fleet.
Using electricity (the most costly form of energy) to get a 60% or so return in hydrogen (the least
dense and least valuable form of energy) itself isn't smart. As Denis Hayes mentioned, hydrogen is
best used as a way to store and transport energy.
The North Seas are by far our best source of wind energy, not to mention cheap real-estate. If we
are to make a serious attempt at alternative/hydrogen, the Aleutians or similar locations are our
best hope. Liquefying hydrogen for ship transport takes an additional 40% energy input. The key is
recouping this energy, turning an otherwise 40% waste into a 40% increase in energy load. Liquefied
natural gas (LNG) tankers will soon be surplus. Air conditioning is our highest non-transport energy
use. Parking the tankers off of our southern cities will provide both chilled water for air
conditioning and hydrogen for many uses. In temperate regions, this could also be used to chill or
even freeze groundwater reservoirs summer cooling use.
Everyone owning a car that they use 1 hour a day is already a waste of money. Fuel cell cars will
cost more than present cars for some time. Replacing 200 million conventional cars when we
simultaneously run out of the energy used to produce them (not to mention oil for asphalt, rubber,
etc.) is impossible. So the fuel cell car revolution should start with a citywide rental system in
conjunction with the above. Since air conditioning is a challenge for fuel cell vehicles, cars would
recharge an i nsulated ice tank while they fill up with hydrogen. This would run chilled water
through the car's seats, just like NASCAR's driver's suits.
It may not be the best idea, but it is the best one I've seen.
Looking forward to my fuel cell hybrid bent.
Cheers