Hydrogen economy essays

Hydrogen economy essays I believe that hydrogen fuel cells are a possible solution for the current energy crunch that we are experiencing today. However, it will take billions of dollars in research, development and infrastructure to get an hydrogen energy economy up and running. Governments and the general public will have to be presented with the positive and negative aspects of hydrogen fuel, then make an educated decision as to whether or not this may be a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Data has reveled that ninety percent of the earths atoms are made up of hydrogen. Because of the abundance of hydrogen and predicted shortages of fossil fuels, we should explore and implement the potential resources that hydrogen fuel holds. Aside from predicted shortages, burning of fossil fuels is the main source of atmospheric carbon pollution, which in turn leads to global warming. Fossil fuels have increased the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from 280 to 370 parts per million over the past one-hundred and fifty years. Within the next century this level is estimated to reach 550 parts per million. From what research has revealed, the benefits of hydrogen far exceed the negative attributes. One of the most promising aspects of hydrogen fuel is that the only byproduct is water vapor. The potential that a hydrogen economy has (in terms of lowering our carbon emissions) is substantial. According to the article, another benefit that hydrogen has is that gram for gram this element has more energy than any other fuel. If hydrogen can power a rocket ship into outer space, surely it has enough energy to power automobiles. Hydrogen generation is exceptionally versatile, because can be generated from water, biomass, natural gas. With all of the benefits that hydrogen holds, why havent we already converted to using hydrogen? Mainly because some serious technological advances need to take place first before this can happen. One of the b...