Although Obama’s recent budgeting won’t be allowing more than 40% of what’s been allowed until May 9 for fuel cell research, others don’t find his decision to quit financing this technology as easy as he or his administration does. Furthermore, there are people and institutions actively searching for other investment resources to pursue the fuel cell business and dream.
Two such examples are Aiken County and the US Military (the latter rather profits from current discoveries). So, Aiken county officials, according to an article in augusta.com, just won’t quid fuel cell research, because they have invested $10 million in it so far, and built the Center for Hydrogen Research.
Just like I said in a previous article, Aiken County Administrator Clay Killian’s words are: “I think everybody understands that our nation needs alternative energy sources. And that’s one that has not reached its full potential and hasn’t been developed out yet, and we’d like to be a part of that. And I think we’re going to continue to do that.”
The Center recently opened a $230,000 solar powered hydrogen refueling station by venturing with Santee Cooper. That means solar power collected through solar cells is used to split water, generate hydrogen and possibly fill your hydrogen car’s tank cheaply (with free energy).
Indeed, not many hydrogen vehicles actually exist on the market today, and those that exist have a price that would buy 5 to 10 Priuses, but building free energy (hydrogen) fueling stations isn’t bad at all. This could ultimately lead to building more efficient and cheaper fuel cells, and a make a fuel cell car cost no more than your regular gas-guzzler.
In time, things would surely also improve for solar panels, and as fuel cell cars’ production increases, the same goes with the amount of hydrogen produced freely (or with a minimal investment). If not for fuel cells, at least let’s inefficiently burn some hydrogen in old-styled engines. That would still make a good deal with the environment at a minimal conversion cost (the hydrogen tanks would need to be safe and “roomy” enough to host a decent drive energy reserve).
We already have plenty of technologies available, let’s use them! If not for ours, at least for our children’s future.
