SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Technology Stocks : Ballard Power -world leader zero-emission PEM fuel cells
BLDP 2.140+5.4%Feb 6 9:30 AM EST
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: Fred J Bealle who wrote (659)4/28/1997 10:13:00 PM
From: Sid Turtlman   of 5827
 
Fred: As a hydrogen fan, I wonder if you could fill us in a bit about the stuff. How is it made? How much does it cost? How easy or hard would it be to distribute broadly to support a population of fuel cell powered cars? Would it be sent through pipelines, or trucks?

Another thing I was curious about was how efficient the hydrogen creating process is. For example, I know that ERC's fuel cell at Santa Clara ran at pretty close to 50% efficiency, without attempting to create any cogeneration power (which would have been easy, since its molten carbonate design runs very hot.) Ballard has claimed efficiencies at somewhere around that level, but its PEM fuel cells use hydrogen as a fuel, rather than the natural gas that ERC uses. So the comparison from an efficiency point of view is sort of apples and oranges, unless we know how much energy is wasted converting something else (I presume natural gas?) to hydrogen.

I also think the future cost of hydrogen is important, because if it is substantially more than gasoline, then the extra efficiency of the fuel cell won't be good enough to keep the cost per mile competitive. I know there should be substantial environmental benefits from fuel cells, but the prospects are more favorable for commercial success if it makes economic sense for people to buy them, as opposed to having them shoved down our collective throats by politicians.

Thanks.
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  

HomeMailHotSubjectMarksPeopleMarksKeepersSettings
Terms Of UseContact UsCopyright/IP PolicyPrivacy PolicyAbout UsFAQAdvertise on SI
© 2026 Knight Sac Media.  Data provided by Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and CityFALCON News