Hydrogen, How Low Can You Go?
Two weeks ago a Penn State research team supported by a DOE grant found a way to produce hydrogen directly from solar energy using nanotubes in a photoelectrochemical diode. This means that the energy from the sun is directly stored in the form of hydrogen. Depending on the cost of the arrays, once they’re being manufactured, this could mean some super cheap hydrogen.
Just over a week ago Global Hydrogen Inc. reported that they could produce hydrogen for $2.47 per kg. using higher efficiency electrolysis generators. Surprising enough the industry average for hydrogen production is about $3.57/kg. To put that in perspective the Honda’s new FCX Clarity runs between 60-70 miles on a kg of hydrogen. So now, instead of paying $10 to drive 200 miles, you can go 300. Cheap!
An MIT researcher did something, everybody pay attention!
I’m very shocked by the lack of attention heaped on the Penn State research team and Global Hydrogen, it seems their developments went largely unnoticed. I guess they should of included a photo of themselves looking intelligent, yet rugged, like MIT researcher Daniel C. Nocera.
It’s not that his findings aren’t significant, they certainly are. Platinum costs around $2000 an ounce and is the main expense in both electrolysis equipment (makes H2O just H and O) and hydrogen fuel cells (generates electricity by letting H and O come back together). Basically the MIT team found a way to do it with cobalt and phosphate which are, compared to platinum, practically free.
Where do I fill up the FCX Clarity that I can’t purchase?
Unless you live in California, Washington D.C. or New York State you have to enviously watch other prople fill up their fuel cell vehicles, but not the FCX Clarity they’re still testing the first 100 production models in Southern California.
While watching remember that it only costs $10 to fill it up and then quickly compose a scathing letter to your state legislators demanding hydrogen filling stations!
