Here’s conclusion from a recent report from my colleague Renaldo Brutoco on battery EVs (BEVs) and hydrogen fuel-cell EVs (FCEVs):
As we continue to advance towards a low-carbon future, both BEVs and FCEVs will play pivotal roles. By embracing both technologies, we can ensure a smoother transition to sustainable mobility, effectively mitigating the environmental impact of our transportation needs while satisfying the diverse requirements of consumers and industry. This dual approach not only maximizes the benefits of each technology but also exemplifies the innovative strategies needed to overcome modern energy challenges.
I respectfully disagree. Eventually, the winner will win and loser will lose. And, in particular, hydrogen will lose out, even though BEVs, as Renaldo correctly indicated in his piece, have challenges.
We’ve been talking with great enthusiasm about hydrogen since I was a teenager in the early 1970s, but with virtually no progress over the intervening period. At stake is the cost of producing H2 from the electrolysis of water or the reformation of methane, the cost and fragility of fuel cells, and, most importantly, the absence of a fuel delivery infrastructure and the enormous economic and logistical challenges associated with overcoming that issue.
What will eventually happen with hydrogen in transportation is exactly what happened to wave energy, ocean current energy, run of river hydrokinetics, biomass, and geothermal in renewable energy. Outside of niche applications, they all lost as the technology of solar and wind matured and the costs fell precipitously.
I know Renaldo is a huge fan of hydrogen, but it’s time to say goodbye.
Renewable Energy
Understanding Pete Hegseth
What is said here about Pete Hegseth is clearly true.
But keep in mind that he’s fiercely loyal to Donald Trump, and Trump couldn’t possibly care what happens to the United States, as long as he can stay out of prison and enrich himself and his family.
Renewable Energy
Does Clean Energy Reduce Your Energy Bills?
Here’s an article that outlines how the EU has lowered energy prices via its investment in renewables.
In truth, the economics of all this is complicated. In most of the world, there are subsidies for clean energy, just as there are subsidies for Big Oil. If you want to remove the environmental regulations of coal-fired power plants and let them make fortunes by turning our atmosphere into their own private sewers, you can probably make coal-powered energy very inexpensive.
One thing is clear though, looking through all this complexity: the countries whose people actually care about the future of life on Earth are aggressively decarbonizing their energy and transportation sectors, and there is a great deal to be said for this.
In the United States, we’re rapidly going in the other direction. Shame on us.
Renewable Energy
Another Concept in Small Wind
These guys have an innovation in small wind: their turbine “furls up” in dangerously high wind conditions, making it “perfect for your backyard.” Check out this video. The competition has to shut down to avoid having their product destroyed in such circumstances.
Think about this for a second. How often do you have hurricane-force winds blowing through your backyard? What if it’s a tornado? (It’s a twister! It’s a twister!) What would be the cost to you if your mini-turbine actually did have to shut down a few hours each year?
These guys are looking for investors. If their pitch resonates with you, jump on in, by all means.
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