[Gasification] Hydrogen

[Michael Redler]

"The end result of Hydrogen is invariably promoted as electricity from a fuel 
cell. Why not simply skip the fuel cell intermediate step and use the 
electricity directly?"

It has to do with what flavor of energy you need. Fixed energy conversion systems (like at Niagara falls) doesn't fit under the hood of a car so it needs to be converted to transportable, stored energy. As Tom pointed out (and as we all experience at the gas pump), there are people who want to control and exploit the way we buy stored energy.

Mike


Kevin Chisholm wrote:
> Dear Lewis
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <MMBTUPR at aol.com>
> ...del..
>   
>> •          There already are, however a significant number of niche uses
>> which are economically and environmentally feasible now. For example, 
>> biomass,
>> photocells or wind to electrolysis to a hydrogen-using industrial process, 
>> such
>> as a commercial bakery, a paint department of an appliance or auto
>> manufacturer, all kinds of drying operations and such like. Some 
>> stationary fuel cell
>> uses. And so on. Some of these are already in use. Those of you who follow 
>> H2
>> developments more closely than I do and/or are familiar with industrial 
>> processes
>> will undoubtedly think of more.
>>     
>
> The end result of Hydrogen is invariably promoted as electricity from a fuel 
> cell. Why not simply skip the fuel cell intermediate step and use the 
> electricity directly?
>   
[snip]