On Sep 27, 2009, at 6:43 AM, Jones Beene wrote:
Horace
You may be highly disappointed running at 1.4 volts/cell.
But - a few months ago - were you not promoting Nocera's half-cell
advance?
He claims a 90% reduction on the anode.
If incorporated, and even if less than 90% that should reduce the
overall
potential significantly - perhaps to near this range of 1.4
There was no mention of attempting to use Nocera's catalysts, which
might be a very good idea. The focus appeared to be on using a
generator. In any case, the approach of picking 1.4 V a priori is
flawed. A need to change that voltage should be expected.
I think "promote" is too strong a word for my postings on this to
date. I post news in regards to the effort by Nocera and MIT to
solve the energy problem using solar, which I think is clearly
feasible and noteworthy. OTOH, I do indeed have some strong opinions
in this regard. I think the ordinary pace at which the development is
occurring is wrong headed. Solar in general, including Nocera's
catalysts, which could be a key part, should have trillions behind it
and a Manhattan Project type of management. Consider:
http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2009/09/better-cheap-than-good-
renewable-power-for-developing-world.ars
http://tinyurl.com/y975cs2
"Nocera figures one kilowatt systems using the catalyst will be ready
for production within two years."
This is a nominal advance. Instead of picking at all sides of the
Gordian Knot it should be vaporized with a laser. There should be a
no holds barred no red tape government coordinated effort to *build*
hundreds of square miles of solar facilities and a HVDC power
infrastructure and eventually a hydrogen distribution infrastructure
in the US.
We know the land will be required. We know infrastructure is
required. We know red tape must be cut. Movement on this can begin
now because we know that some existing technologies and anticipated
technologies will work adequately, and there are existing companies
ready to move on this that have their hands tied. The local
regulatory and environmental problems should be quickly dispatched,
NOW. As in WWII, the unused manufacturing capacity of the auto
industries, including the factories, equipment, an labor pool, should
be tapped for an all out effort, NOW. We own the companies, so lets
put them to work, NOW. Federal money banks were given to loan and
which is being hoarded should be released to these kinds of efforts NOW.
A true hydrogen economy will not come easy or quickly. See:
http://www.mtaonline.net/~hheffner/Hpipeline.pdf
Work on this needs to start NOW.
Conversion to plug-in hybrid vehicles for personal transportation has
already begun. An interim alternative for some transportation fuel
needs, for aircraft and trucking, given efficient solar hydrogen
generation, is hydrocarbon formation using hydrogen and CO2 as the
feed stock. Engineering and siting of large plants for hydrogen feed
stack driven synthesis should begin NOW.
The lobbyists against these kinds of major undertakings must be
finding their efforts relatively easy these days. All that has to
happen for their success is delay and diversion. This happens
invisibly, especially in the midst of the health care debate, which
should be no debate at all. Congress could just look at the numerous
successful systems already proven in other countries and pick one
instead of building a bastardized system that is maliciously
compromised by amendment into a system with the greatest possible set
of flaws. Similarly, the energy effort has been or is likely to be
watered down into a diluted effort with the greatest possible set of
flaws.
It is a numerical fact that solar can do the job of satisfying world
energy needs, and with a fairly small global footprint. The missing
ingredient for solar has been energy storage, and efficient hydrogen
generation using solar energy clearly solves that problem. Given no
other major energy development, like cold fusion, an all out
international effort should be waged to develop a solar infrastructure.
End unexpected editorial.
Best regards,
Horace Heffner
http://www.mtaonline.net/~hheffner/
