Energy Alternatives

Hydrogen As a Possible Fuel Source?

The world is covered in water and a primary component of water as you probably know is hydrogen. So, what if we could use this abundant resource as a fuel? Well, it is possible and vehicles have successfully been converted to run on hydrogen already. The reason why we are not all driving around on hydrogen powered cars is basically of safety.

Hydrogen is extremely explosive when mixed with oxygen and the vapors can be harmless if breathed in. This means that accidents would be particularly dangerous when hydrogen is involved. In spite of this conversion from existing gasoline systems to hydrogen would be more simple than some other proposed solutions. This is a major bonus even in the face of its hazardous nature. Even though hydrogen as a fuel is quite dangerous it is working quite well as a fuel cell fluid or battery fluid opening the doors for an alternative energy use other than fuel.

This is because hydrogen is extremely good at storing energy but not so good at giving it up for use. Scientists have exploited this tendency of hydrogen to make some of the most efficient fuel cells ever. These batteries or fuel cells have not been used commercially in vehicles though because they need further safety and durability testing.

Some people think that hydrogen fuel cells combined with an electric fuel source like solar or simply off the grid would be a great combination for a next generation vehicle. Look out for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to be commercially available in the coming years as this technology matures and advances.

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