Here in California we've watched fuel prices rise and fall over the last year, bringing the specter of inflation & economic disruption into the light. To finally realize how serious the lock is of the fossil fuel companies within our lives. Without further shocks to the system, we may never seek a solution that can be rolled out world wide. But if we solve the problem here at home, it could change the world. Isn't that why we are here in Silicon Valley?
There is a way and it isn't a pipe dream. And Mike isn't high. Just an engineer seeking a solution.
Driving in a future California may take on the form of hydrogen powered vehicles. A time when you refuel at home and it doesn't cost you a dime. When the first maintenance item on the car is to change the brake pads (no oil changes). That even on the hottest days, commuting in the car isn't leading to Spare the Air days.
How? As with all things engineers deal with, the present solution isn't perfect and it isn't put together as a package, but the potential is definitely there. More iterations need to be run through to iron out bugs and incorporate customer feedback. As any early adopters know, there are glitches. But we haven't crossed the chasm yet, though we need to start becoming serious about changing our view of transportation & burning fuels.
The first step is solar panels on your house. The latest generation out of the lab is at 40% efficiency. That should allow several kilowatts of available power during the day. Free power just pouring onto the grid if you don't use it. But let's use it.
Usually to get hydrogen, electrolysis is used to split H2 off of what ever it is connected to. Oxygen most likely in the form of water. Takes a bunch of power. But what if you could speed that up? Researchers in South Korea have found a way to break apart molecules very efficiently. Take their process to create H2 and store it in the garage. Nearly free fuel. Granted H2 is hard stuff to store, so have a system that keeps it around for only a day or two. Vent what you don't put in your car each evening into the air and start over.
What car? A Honda. Currently Honda will lease you an FCX Clarity, a real fuel cell car running around in southern California. Better than a prototype, but not at a stage to make 400k a year. The biggest issue with the Clarity around town is finding an H2 fueling spot. Half the time drivers are figuring out if they can make it to the filling station before running out of H2 while on the way home. No AAA service currently. But if you can create the H2 at home, for daily commuting, you can top off each evening easily.
Three pieces to the puzzle. Ultimate solution for 2020? Maybe. I'd like to be a part of it. As California leads, so does the country in terms of transportation & pollution control. It isn't a solution for gridlocked traffic on our aging highways. But it would allow us who need to drive for work & family a way to bridge the car culture to the future that our kids dream up.
-Mike M.
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