Dear BFA-Folk, This useful letter on hydrogen as an energy carrier was published in the influential Oil & Gas Journal, 14th April, 2003. The problems for transport use of hydrogen and fuel cells for transport are much larger than those of stationary fuel cells. I am sure there are other reviews of the topic, but one does not see them in the news releases from enthusiasts. Certainly, one can make hydrogen from solar cells etc, but nearly everyone is intending to use fossil fuels as a source of the energy to make hydrogen. 98% of the world's hydrogen is made from petroleum (oil and gas), and until most of our electricity is generated from renewable sources (which may not happen for centuries, if at all), then there are real risks in believing in the hydrogen economy as a panacea. Transport energy conservation using existing technologies, like fuel-efficient small cars, bicycles and electric-assisted bicycles as well as rational pricing system for vehicle use, and removal of subsidies which favour high fuel use, is much more promising in my view at least in the foreseeable future.
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