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Title: The Hydrogen Revolution: Game-Changing Developments Loom for Global Energy Supply
Source:
nippon.com
URL Source: http://www.nippon.com/en/currents/d00167/
Published: Apr 2, 2015
Author: Kikkawa Takeo
Post Date: 2015-04-03 07:33:43 by Operation 40
Keywords: Hydrogen, renewable, Energy
Views: 755
Comments: 5
With zero emissions, hydrogen has long been regarded as a highly promising green fuel. But difficulties in transporting and storing this highly volatile gas, along with slow development of the necessary infrastructure, have kept progress stalled until relatively recently. But 2014 was a big year for hydrogen energy in Japan. An expert on the topic looks to what the future may hold. Long-Awaited Progress on Hydrogen Energy The year 2014 was when real progress finally started to be seen in the use of hydrogen energy. In June, the Ministry for Economy, Trade, and Industry’s Council for Strategy on Hydrogen and Fuel Cells compiled its “Strategic Road Map for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells.” And November saw a major step toward the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s goal of realizing a “hydrogen society” by the time of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics with the release of a list of concrete measures and budgetary provisions. Around that same time, both Honda and Toyota Motors confirmed plans to put hydrogen fuel cell cars on the market. And two other firms––Iwatani Corporation and JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation––announced prices for the sale of hydrogen at hydrogen stations. All the gears seemed to have ground into action at once. Japan had already taken the global lead in the implementation of hydrogen fuel cell technology. In 2009 Panasonic teamed up with Tokyo Gas to launch Ene-Farm, a pioneering electrochemical fuel cell for the home. And in December 2014 Toyota unveiled the world’s first mass-market fuel cell car, a development that attracted much media attention. Five Potential Benefits The great potential benefits of hydrogen energy can be summed up in five main points. First, because the use of hydrogen as a fuel produces no carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases (the only byproduct is pure water), it is considered to be a “green” fuel. This eco-friendly status, however, extends only to the actual use of hydrogen, and not to its initial production. Because such merits are negated if fossil fuels are used in production of the gas, hydrogen production via renewable energy sources is a preferable option in order to reap the full environmental benefits. Second, because hydrogen fuel cells are exceptionally energy efficient, they have great potential in the ongoing drive to curb overall energy consumption. At present, around 60% of the energy at facilities operated by Japan’s electric power companies ultimately goes to waste, a figure that could be reduced considerably through the use of fuel cells. In addition, fitting stationary fuel cells to homes and other buildings would enable premises to cover their own heating and electricity needs, further contributing to reductions in energy use. Third, hydrogen energy has the potential to boost disaster preparedness. In the event of a serious earthquake or other such catastrophe, homes and vehicles fitted with fuel cells could be used as emergency power sources, thereby safeguarding both lives and living conditions. The fourth point is, because hydrogen can be produced by a broad variety of means, its applications do not end with its potential as an energy source. It can also be used as a means of energy transportation, so, when paired with other energy sources, it can play a role in making up for their shortcomings and accentuating their strengths. In some ways, it is this potential to effect an overall change in the energy industry that perhaps holds the greatest appeal. This aspect will be covered in greater detail in the second half of this article...SNIP Too bad the US has spent the last 40 years bombing and invading other countries, because it could have led this revolution. Now it's morally and fiscally bankrupt. A nation of arrogant, ignorant, spoiled fools that only know how to make war and lie to others. What a shame.
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#1. To: Operation 40 (#0)
Op40, you ignorant slut. You've really been chewing on a shit sandwich and thoroughly enjoying the meal. America invented and developed modern fuel cell technology, largely for military and space exploration. America has a huge energy advantage on a number of fronts compared to its competitors. The rest of the world is getting no great jump on America in either science or fundamental technology. If you understand the global economy, you'd grasp that dominating an industry doesn't mean that you actually build the components yourself. Integration, financing, global support can be much more important to successful adoption of disruptive technology. You also posted virtually the same article a few weeks back. If you actually followed the alt energy news more closely, you'd post something about Elon Musk's new home battery system which is as important as any project out there and, unlike the rest, it will be available for purchase this fall at a consumer price level, probably $10K-$20K. It seems likely to revolutionize how people can live in remote rural areas and have plenty of electricity and hydrogen fuel. Maybe we could finally get rid of the ridiculous REA.
You've really been chewing on a shit sandwich and thoroughly enjoying the meal. More projection. Stop already. It's not good for you. Is there any thread on LF that you don't feel the need to pollute? Do you do ANYTHING but post here? Reaching ~40 people at a time must be thrilling for you. And have let the Japanese overtake. Because for the last 40 years all the US can do is bomb, invade, wiretap and lie to fools like yourself. If you were paying attention you wouldn't utter such nonsense. Typical ignorant, arrogant bs from someone who hasn't a clue. Is this why the US energy "policy" is still based on oil and fracking natural gas? Even an idiot could see that is false by looking at the publish date for this article. Maybe you don't know what "Virtually" means. Wouldn't be surprising. It's funny to see someone that thinks they know everything prove they really know next to nothing-with their own posts. Please continue. I've heard all about Enron's...er...Elon's battery scheme. It's a BATTERY. Batteries need to be filled with electrons. Most electrons in the US come from burning coal. Batteries are dirty - dirty to make, leaky and inefficient, and dirty to recycle and/or dispose of. Japan knows this - because they have experience with the Prius. The new Hydrogen Fuel Cell Mirai doesn't have lithium batteries- care to guess why? Because everyone has a spare $10-20K to store electrons generated from burning coal. And what's the lifespan? How long have lithium batteries lasted in your laptops? Is there "vampire loss" and how much? ROFL. Keep digging- you're halfway to China. Oh look- Enron...er...Elon found another sucker. Don't feel bad, there are millions of you out there. "Musk-Rats". Hydrogen is a better battery. This will become clear - even to a moron like yourself- over the next few years. Pay attention and learn something new for a change. And thanks for the amusement. Quick- there might have been a thread posted while you've been "reading" this that you haven't yet posted to. Chop Chop! You're one of the biggest clowns I've ever seen on the net, Too Confused. You can fool some people some times but you couldn't fool all the people all the time.
It remains to be seen how long such batteries will last. Musk at least will present a working system this year at a price consumers can afford that will store the energy from solar/wind in a form readily used. And reduce pressure on the electric grid. Ah, so you are the Prophet Of Hydrogen, bringing your wisdom to the common folk. How sad is that? I don't see what there actually is in this article. It barely mentions the Spera conversion (not being embraced by the Japanese industries) and then repeats the same five obvious points about fuel cells that we've read in every article about fuel cells since the Eighties. I did enjoy your personal bile at the end of the article. The taste of your tears is so sweet to me.
You piss on my thread with your foul language "You ignorant slut" and then you wonder why you get some thrown back at you. Nothing better to do, eh? Here's an idea- once in a while try reading something new. Edit: >>this year at a price consumers can afford Like I said- everyone has an extra ten grand to spend on batteries that no one knows how long will last.
They'll be offered in packages with Solar City. Most consumers won't buy them, they'll sign a contract with Solar City who will do the financing and installation. For the first year or so, I'd expect Musk's batteries to be mostly sold/installed to existing Solar City solar panel installations. In many ways, the Solar City tie-in is what will help Musk sell large numbers across the country. You'll also see these installed at remote rural locations where the cost of building power lines is prohibitive. I know a guy with a remote ranch in Texas that he is running off solar and he's using lead-acid batteries for a minimal overnight electrical storage. The Musk battery will give him fixed costs and a company to stand behind the product.
Too bad the US has spent the last 40 years bombing and invading other countries, because it could have led this revolution. Now it's morally and fiscally bankrupt. A nation of arrogant, ignorant, spoiled fools that only know how to make war and lie to others. What a shame.
#2. To: TooConservative (#1)
Op40, you ignorant slut.
America invented and developed modern fuel cell technology, largely for military and space exploration.
America has a huge energy advantage on a number of fronts compared to its competitors. The rest of the world is getting no great jump on America in either science or fundamental technology.
If you understand the global economy, you'd grasp that dominating an industry doesn't mean that you actually build the components yourself. Integration, financing, global support can be much more important to successful adoption of disruptive technology.
You also posted virtually the same article a few weeks back.
If you actually followed the alt energy news more closely, you'd post something about Elon Musk's new home battery system
which is as important as any project out there and, unlike the rest, it will be available for purchase this fall at a consumer price level, probably $10K-$20K.
It seems likely to revolutionize how people can live in remote rural areas and have plenty of electricity and hydrogen fuel. Maybe we could finally get rid of the ridiculous REA.
#3. To: Operation 40 (#2)
Because everyone has a spare $10-20K to store electrons generated from burning coal. And what's the lifespan? How long have lithium batteries lasted in your laptops? Is there "vampire loss" and how much? ROFL. Keep digging- you're halfway to China.
Hydrogen is a better battery. This will become clear - even to a moron like yourself- over the next few years. Pay attention and learn something new for a change. And thanks for the amusement. Quick- there might have been a thread posted while you've been "reading" this that you haven't yet posted to. Chop Chop!
#4. To: TooConservative (#3)
(Edited)
#5. To: Operation 40 (#4)
Like I said- everyone has an extra ten grand to spend on batteries that no one knows how long will last.
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