Science moves step closer to developing hydrogen as cheap and clean energy form

[OKIsItJustMe]

21. Give me a break

Last edited Wed Apr 24, 2013, 09:19 AM - Edit history (3)

Give me an example of an energy source.

I would not describe hydrogen as an energy source, but… claiming that “hydrogen is not an energy source,” is meaningless. Really, it’s all a matter of perspective.

I’ve always been amused by a little bit of electronics called a “power supply.” I mean, really, the typical “power supply” doesn’t supply power, it only converts it, but from the perspective of the other electronics, it’s where their power comes from. (It is their “power supply.”)


Looked at from a wide enough perspective (as I did as a reductio ad absurdum) everything is powered by hydrogen fusion. (Hydrogen is the “ultimate energy source.”)


Looked at from a practical viewpoint:

Let’s say I’m driving a conventional automobile. You ask me what it runs on. I reply, “Gasoline.” You probably wouldn’t ask me “What’s it’s energy source?” but if you did, my answer would probably be the same.

The next day, I drive up with a tank full of E-85. “What does it run on?” (“What’s it’s energy source?”) “Bio-Fuel!”

The next day, I have a tank full of ethanol. “What does it run on?” (“What’s it’s energy source?”) “Ethanol!”

The next day, I drive up in an electric car. “What does it run on?” (“What’s it’s energy source?”) “Batteries!”

The next day, I have a tank full of hydrogen. “What does it run on?” (“What’s it’s energy source?”) “Hydrogen!” “You know… Hydrogen isn’t an energy source!”


Do you really think that everybody who describes “hydrogen” as an energy source thinks that we will be sinking “hydrogen wells” into the ground? I expect that it would be just a few more than the number who think that we can mine electricity.

i think just about everyone knows that hydrogen needs to be produced somehow. (Typically, they describe creating it by splitting water.)