In my, admittedly, informal survey of alternative energy articles over the past year, it seems that hydrogen fuel is lagging behind some of the other potential non-fossil fuel sources in press coverage.  The National Hydrogen Association seeks to start changing the dialog with the release today of its report: “The Energy Evolution: An analysis of alternative vehicles and fuels to 2100.”  The report provides an analysis of existing information from peer-reviewed, credible transportation research from organizations such as the U.S. Department of Energy, Argonne National Laboratory, the Electric Power Research Institute, the National Resources Defense Council and the University of California, Davis.

Among the key conclusions are that:

1.   Hydrogen fuel cells are the only way to ensure: a cut of greenhouse gas pollution by 80% below 1990 levels; that the U.S. reaches petroleum quasi-independence by mid-century; that we are able to eliminate nearly all controllable air pollution by the end of the century; and we are able to reduce societal costs by $600 billion per year by 2100. (This scenario includes an important role for a mix of vehicle and fuel alternatives in the near-term.)

2.  The cost of creating the infrastructure needed to facilitate hydrogen fueling is not as expensive as people think.

3.  Investment in hydrogen technology that will bring hydrogen vehicles to the road must be accelerated.

I recently read an interesting article in the March 23, 2009, edition of Newsweek (you might need to register to the Newsweek website to see the article, but it’s free, and just involves giving your name and an e-mail address).  The article was the cover story called “Stop Saving Now” and it discussed the current economic malaise affecting the country and the author’s suggestions on how to get out of it.  The point that the article made is that America’s vibrant economy is fueled by innovation, investment, and a little bit of risk taking.  Our economy will remain stagnant until consumers (potential entrepreneurs) stop saving and start investing, innovating, starting new business ventures etc.  It is an interesting read, but the section that caught my eye for this blog was the section reproduced below:

“The new ethos of thrift, which is as much about efficiency and sustainability as it is about penny-pinching, may have significant applications-beyond green roofs.  Startups in wind power and smart-grid technology are still finding sources of funding.  Small enterprises that install solar panels and conduct energy audits are expanding.  They, and other businesses, will benefit from measures in the recently passed stimulus package to weatherize homes, and make government buildings more energy efficient….”

Innovation and business opportunities in the fast growing alternative energy industry and properly protecting that innovation with existing intellectual property laws could certainly be one hopeful avenue for combating the current economic woes.  Certainly something to think about…

I have seen more and more written recently about “drop in” fuels - biofuels that can be used in existing systems that are currently driven by petroleum-based fuels.  For example, experts have predicted that possibly within the next 2-3 years and certainly within the next decade, biofuels could be a significant factor in fueling the airline industry.  As a Reuters article points out, one feedstock for such a biofuel is Jatropha.  This plant, grown in poor African and Asian countries, is ”a poisonous plant that produces seeds that can be refined into biofuels, and is being touted as a good alternative fuel and a potentially powerful weapon against climate change.”  Jatropha has appealing qualities, including: 1) a perennial plant, 2) can grow on marginal land with limited rainfall, and 3) does not compete with other food crops or encourage deforestation.

Perhaps most importantly, however, these next generation biofuels can be “dropped in” to current technology that would certainly save cost in the long term.  For example, it has been estimated that it can cost upwards of hundreds of millions of dollars to develop a new airline jet engine.   If current engines can continue to function on this next generation fuel, the airlines, Jatropha farmers, and the environment will all be winners.