Originally published June 29 2005
Hydrogen energy alternatives explored by major companies and the federal government
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Because a gallon of gasoline can cost up to $400 delivered to the battlefield, energy alternatives are in demand. GM, which makes about half the military's vehicles, is already looking into hybrids.
While hydrogen can be burned and contains more useful energy per pound than any other fuel, the hydrogen economy will not run primarily on hydrogen combustion because the gas is difficult to compress and store, compared with natural gas.
Cleaner Than Fossil Fuels: When hydrogen and oxygen are combined in the presence of a catalyst (typically platinum), they produce electricity.
As such, the fuel cell system has similarities to an internal combustion engine, except that it operates very efficiently at low temperatures and with minimal moving parts.
Meanwhile, in the United States more than two-thirds of our power is generated by fossil fuels, with nuclear contributing around 20%; hydroelectric 7%; and solar, wind, geothermal and other sources collectively generating only 5%.
Baby Steps: Despite the long-term time horizon for this paradigm shift, the first halting steps toward the hydrogen economy are already being taken in the form of hybrid fuel-cell vehicles that either burn hydrogen directly or generate electricity from hydrogen derived from methanol, gasoline or sodium borohydride.
Every automaker is looking at this technology, and the military is already contracting with General Motors (nyse: GM - news - people) and several fuel cell manufacturers and systems integrators, including Hydrogenics (nasdaq: HYGS - news - people) and Quantum Fuel (nasdaq: QTWW - news - people), to develop hybrid fuel cell-powered vehicles, as well as portable power applications.
Hydrogenics has developed a proprietary proton exchange membrane fuel cell and electrolyzer combination that is designed specifically to extend the silent watch capabilities of the U.S. Army's Stryker Light Armored Vehicle.
We are taking the time to profile them to update you on an area of investor interest that you will continue to hear a great deal about in the media.
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