On Wed, Jan 12, 2011 at 6:08 PM, Billy Zoom <billyzoom at billyzoom.com> wrote:
> > wish I was a chemist so I could go farther with these ideas.
> I believe the solutions are already there, and we're waiting for those in
> control to decide that it's time for a solution. I'm not worried. It'll be
> there when we really need it.
>
> I, too, have an engineering background and have studied this problem for
quite a while. To some degree, Billy is probably right to be confident. I
agree with him that "it'll be there when we really need it."
However, as I sit out here on the high plains in the midst of hundreds of
wind turbines and ethanol attempts, it becomes obvious to me that the
technology is not yet there. Yes, we are moving in the right directions
(except for the ethanol debacle) but wind and solar aren't far enough along
to begin impacting our problem in a positive way.
That said, and having been fairly involved with energy companies since the
1970s, I get tired of hearing rather ignorant opinions about those
companies. All of them began moving into alternative energy sources about
40 years ago and feverishly continue to develop the same. Trust me... These
companies have billions invested in these new energy forms. They want to be
holding the reins when alternative energy sources come into use. Because of
that I can safely say that while we are not there yet technologically, we
are well on the way and largely thanks to the very "Oil" companies
environmentalists love to demonize.
Hydrogen does make the most sense for the internal combustion engine, I
agree. However there are major hurdles involved in making its use viable.
Hurdles such as how to store it, how to transport it and how to keep it in
your personal vehicle. Recall the Hindenburg. Hydrogen is VERY dangerous
compared to gasoline!!
Cheers!!
Jim
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