Solar Hydrogen Power
New Products Under Development for Coming Hydrogen Economy
With global environmental concerns on everyone’s mind, hydrogen is considered a most attractive primary energy source because it is renewable and as inexhaustible as water, as well as having almost zero ecological impact.
When combined with solar power, manufacturing hydrogen power may be the most natural, affordable, non-toxic and renewable energy we know on earth.
If the Hydrogen Economy becomes reality as many experts predict, solar hydrogen production technology is forecast to equal or exceed the total market value of the entire petroleum, electricity, coal and other energy source markets worldwide.
For investors, the products, services and new businesses that flow from the transition to hydrogen as a significant energy source offer rare, perhaps even once in a lifetime opportunities.
Here are some applications already under development that promise to revolutionize the use of hydrogen in our homes and businesses in the future.
Marine Uses for Hydrogen Power
Fire at sea from flammable gases is every boater’s nightmare. Which is why many serious boaters try to mitigate the risk by investing in costly diesel engines and generators. However, a hydrogen generator could produce less costly fuel than diesel or propane – and be safer, by replacing flammable gas with non-flammable fuel. And boaters will never have to run out of fuel again – because their inexhaustible power supply is breaking across the bow.
Home Heating
Most Americans use gas, including propane, as the primary fuel to heat their homes. Solar hydrogen energy is a cheaper, cleaner solution. Using a combination of hydrogen generators and solar hydrogen heating elements, most homeowners using propane today could expect a 100 percent return after as little as two winters, according to experts.
Home Barbeque Grills
Imagine no more refilling of gas canisters for the grill and hauling them home. No more waiting for propane deliveries ever again. With a hydrogen-powered grill, you never run out of gas because this grill will make all the fuel you need for cooking from water. Perhaps even more appealing is the sheer convenience of it all. No more back-breaking fuel canisters or sudden gas sparking.
Recreational Vehicles
Cruising from sea to shining sea in RVs, Americans have taken to the road for vacations and nomadic retirements. Only one drawback: the rising cost of fuel. A hydrogen generator could produce inexpensive, renewable, non-polluting, non-toxic, non-flammable fuel to for cooking, heating, cooling and myriad other RV lifestyle functions.
Hydrogen Refueling Stations
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles will go on sale in the U.S. by 2010. By 2013, some 230,000 cars and other vehicles should be on the road – all requiring hydrogen to refuel their cells.
In California, the plan is to build a full-scale “hydrogen highway” by 2010. But challenges exist. One problem has been how to inexpensively produce vast quantities of hydrogen, but many experts see solar as the solution. Even existing gas stations could be easily retrofitted with hydrogen generators and solar technology, producing unlimited supplies of hydrogen fuel from water for storage.
For investors and concerned citizens alike, the notion of every fuel station in America, and beyond our borders, being capable of producing, storing and distributing hydrogen fuel at a fraction of the cost of gas is an exciting promise. If realized, energy independence could be right around the corner.
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