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To: smolejv@gmx.net who wrote (34369)	5/26/2003 9:47:31 PM
From: yard_man	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 74559

think of it purely from the standpoint of the residential electric customer. First, someone has to bear the capital cost of the fuel cell -- why do it unless you are going to get a smaller utility bill -- with a fuel cell you won't. Not only that, but you give up fuel diversity that you have with your electric utility -- if natural gas goes through the roof -- not only does your heating bill go through the roof -- so does your electric energy bill ... by staying with a utility you get a more economic mix, unless you live in some place where the utility is saddled with a bunch of dumb regulations (i.e. california). But talking about one customer obscures the problem at large -- installation of large number of fuel cells would equate to very large amount of fuel switching. It could require increased nat gas distribution infrastrusture while stranding electric investment. Fuel cells will never be more than a very small niche -- right now the only economical source of hydrogen is methane. I doubt seriously that this will change for many years. Separating it from water or air, must needs take more energy than burning it or using it in a fuel cell liberates ... A fuel cell may be very efficient and have low emissions, but all it is, is a battery with a continuous supply of electrolyte. How about the environmental impact of all the piece parts required for a reformer?? Never see that discussed. Places a long way from developed electric T&D infrastructure and with a plentiful supply of natural gas?? Oh yeah, there's some applications out there even for non-transportation applications ... but it's niche and a very small niche. OTW, why would are most projects utilizing government money?? This isn't a matter of figuring out how to mass produce the things cheaply. It's more fundamental than that.