[Timo]

I read the article and found it somewhat promising. My experiences with reality, though, tell me that if this is really as good as it sounds, it'll be avoided like the plague. Whatever the source of energy is, wood, coal, oil or gas, unless it is burned, it's useless. Humanity has come such a long way in our evolution. Now is not the time to stop burning crap to help ourselves reach the next millenium. Burn, Baby! Burn! It's all we know.

[ian807]

Physics is physics. Hydrogen is only a carrier of energy. Not a source. It will take energy to convert coal to hydrogen, reducing efficiency. Hydrogen, if used with fuel cells, still depends on platinum as a catalyst, an expensive and increasingly rare metal.

[Graeme]

Fuel Cell Company Unveils Home Hydrogen Station

“A hydrogen station in every home” is a futuristic vision that is about to become a reality this week as Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies unveils what could be its biggest breakthrough to date: a small home hydrogen refueling and storage solution that could begin our transition to a hydrogen-based economy.

In addition to making many new fuel cell products possible, the refueling device enables a lower cost, scalable, and consumer-centric hydrogen supply model which eliminates the dependence on large-scale fueling infrastructure investments. Horizon’s game-changer innovation can unlock the age-old dilemma over which comes first: clean cars, or clean fuels.

eponline

[Timo]

Not having seen anything else about this, my first reaction is that while technically possible, the volume of hydrogen produced and stored is miniscule relative to what would be considered viable for use. But hey! Satellite telephones all started with the telegraph. IPods all started as whatever predated vinyl LPs. Electric lightbulbs in every room were predated with candles and gas. Everything has to start somewhere to go anywhere. From here on out, all roads lead to fossil free energy, one step at a time.

[Dreamtwister]

Is there some different kind of hydrogen, of which I am not aware? Because I remember building a hydrogen generator in my 6th grade science class...30 years ago. And it wasn't a particularly amazing discovery back then, either.

Making hydrogen has never been the problem. Storing it has.