The luxuries and necessities that we have grown so accustomed to are the reason why the switch from oil to a renewable source of energy will not happen soon enough for us to shed our dependence on a finite resource. People talk and say that we need to cut back, we are destroying our world, but many are not doing anything about it.

It was trendy to boycott, to conserve, and to act when the gas prices shot so high. Talking about solar power, hydro electric power, global warming, and alternative fuels was the Hollywood thing to do. Now that the prices at the pump have fallen back to a reasonable rate, people have fallen back into their habits of traveling more, filling up the gas tank, turning the heat up just that little bit so they can be warm instead of just ‘not cold.’

A Way of Life Obtained through Progression Cannot Be Sustained Without Progression

These habits are not bad habits, but they are the actions that perpetuate the dependence on oil.

They are not wrong doings in and of themselves, but they are hurting the environment immensely.

It is not inherently evil, but it is destroying the world.

It is not intentional, but it is real and now, what other choices do we have?

It Needs to be Practical to Be Applicable

Convenience most likely will be the determining factor. Fuel Cell cars, poised to be the rescuer of the ozone and our wallets, cannot yet sustain a vehicle for more than 35 miles without a refill. Outside of California, filling up is out of the question because there are no refueling stations. The environment will benefit now if the changes are made, but people will not benefit, and that will hold people back. The Earth cannot be saved without sacrifice.

Home energy solutions are in the works but they are too distant, too impractical, too expensive. Things like hydro electric power and solar power feed off resources we already have, but to make them practical the technology would have to sustain a home with all of the necessities and most of the comforts and be affordable to the majority of Americans. While both alternative energy resources are on the way to doing this, neither is there yet.

Questions that Need to be Asked

What switch will we see when we have the ability to sustain our houses with alternative energy? Will houses throughout Arizona, Nevada, and California have large photovoltaic cells on their roofs? Will the coastal cities like New York, Boston, and Miami take in their energy from generators on the ocean floor? Will people be asked to spend their own money, or will the government offer incentives? Will that increase taxes? And for who? What will happen to those who don’t convert? What will be the socioeconomic impact be?

Long term, the effects will no doubt be positive, but it’s likely that in order to take that great leap forward we will have to take several steps back first. We must come to grips with the possibility that if we do not sacrifice a little now, we will have to sacrifice a lot more painfully later.

Hydrogen fuel cells are viewed as the great savior of our massive oil consumption.  They seem to be the answer to finite energy resources and they are said to be good for the environment too. 

This technology works by combining hydrogen with fuels cells.  The Fuel cells operate by taking in hydrogen which reacts with a catalyst.  That catalyst separates the atomic particles known as protons and electrons and they travel two different paths.   The electrons pass through a cathode, which generates energy, while the protons mix with oxygen and releases the byproduct: environmentally safe, clean water.  Sounds simple enough that it just might work, but not anytime soon.

Hydrogen fuel cell technology is not advanced enough to make owning hydrogen fueled cars a legitimate possibility just yet. The goal is by 2015 to have a fuel cell that will last for more than 5,000 hours durability and 300 miles per fill up.  A massive gas station to hydrogen refueling station conversion must also take place, and who knows how long that will take. 

High Quality Vehicles Equals Cheaper Fuel Costs for You

The cost of hydrogen fuel for auto owners is going to be completely dependent on how well vehicles will operate.  If the fuel cell vehicles have a 250 mile range and 2,000 hours of durability it will be about $3.00/gge (gasoline gallon equivalent). With the 300 mile range and 5,000 hours of durability, the goal of 2015, the prices will be $2.50/gge.  As we all know, that fifty cents per gallon makes a very big difference.

Hydrogen Fuel, the Revival of the American Dream

Billions of dollars will make an extremely large difference when it comes to funding all things hydrogen fuel. The fuel cell industry has asked President Barack Obama to set aside 1.2 billion dollars for research, development, and stimulus. 

The industry has stated that the 1.2 billion dollars will provide several opportunities:

·         Shake our dependency on foreign oil

·         An environmentally safe alternative to gas

·         Create jobs

With bail outs abundant, why not toss some money to something that could potentially save the economy, save the environment, and save the country in one swoop?

Arnold to the Rescue

There have been steps to making the transition to a fuel cell adapted society.  In California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger began setting up hydrogen refueling stations.  Although it seems a bit premature, if you have seen Total Recall then you have confidence that Arnold knows what the future holds.  He has made stations in urban areas for those few who have hydrogen fuel cars, mostly incentive projects from the auto industry or environmental companies.  

Though the fuel cell automobile technology is available, at this point it is very impractical.  Hydrogen fuel cells for cars can only provide a driver with about 35 miles before another fill up is required.  This makes driving anywhere, with the exception of the Gov. Schwarzenegger’s urban hydrogen refueling hotspots, nearly impossible. 

Strides are being made but not at the pace many would like.  Much more funding and focus will be needed to make this alternative a reality. It may be a while before the hydrogen fuel cell is needed, but it also may be a while before they become a realistic alternative to our gas powered cars.  As Plato aptly put it, “necessity is the mother of invention.”  So now we wait for the necessity.

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