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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: J.B.C. who wrote (305694)	10/8/2002 12:08:38 PM
From: DuckTapeSunroof	Respond to of 769667

Re: "Efficiencies on current engines are about 20%, efficiencies on fuel cells range from 24 - 32%. It depends on the source of hydrogen. And even at that we will continue to use fossil fuels. I have not read where all the auto makers said the combustion engine is dead by 2022. Automakers make predictions all the time that usually don't come true. So no they don't necessarily know what they're talking about." >>> My info was taken from the statements made by Daimler Chrysler, Ford, and GM... (And Ballard, etc.) >>> They are predicting a steady improvement in fuel cell efficiencies (based on the historical rate of improvement... and their research) to about twice the efficiency of the internal combustion engine. >>> But, even the figures you quote - for current fuel cells, I assume - already show an efficiency greater than that of internal combustion... and of course, that ignores the ancillary benefits of greater public health (not inconsiderable since in most cities autos are responsible for most of the air pollution). >>> Greater efficiency in fossil fuel use would mean the fossil fuel supplies last LONGER. >>> And, hydrogen directly from water and sunlight would mean that fossil fuels would eventually be relegated to use as petrochemical supplies... extending the supplies even further. >>> One of the other links pointed to progress made in extracting hydrogen fuel from waste streams such as sewage, while another reported on recent improvements in PRODUCING hydrocarbons from CO2 - which is, of course, atmospherically available.... >>> All of these developments point to the eventual marginalization of hydrocarbon fossil fuel sources... and diminished influence of the Middle East in World politics and economics. >>> BP is very big in many of these emerging technologies... they aim to be the World leader in Solar energy, for instance. >>> I expect that they, and the hard-nosed auto industry, are not just blowing smoke up our bums... they know what's up, and are spending big bucks on bringing it about. >>> I repeat: the main problems which must be over-come are the massive subsidies we currently give to the 'sunset' fossil fuel and nuclear fission industries. >>> On a level playing field photoelectric, solar energy-produced hydrogen, 'reformer' derived hydrogen, [wind, hydro, geothermal, etc.], and not-too-far-off nuclear fusion [which does not have a problem with waste products with half-lives in the 1/2 million year range] can emerge under their own steam... they will not need a helping hand from government other than basic R&D... no subsidies... no forcing consumers to buy fission-produced energy that costs twice as much as free market electricity.