Why a hydrogen economy doesn't make sense

Hydrogen fuel cell car — fabulous idea! It's even supported by such luminaries as George W. Bush & the brilliant minds at Top Gear (before the assault & the dismissal etc.) ...

... then the laws of physics & economics raise their ugly heads:


Credit: Ulf Bossel/Phys Org

In the image above, we see 100 kWh of energy being used to drive a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (on the left) or a battery electric car (on the right). Depending on how the hydrogen is managed, 19 or 23% of the energy at the beginning is actually available to drive the vehicle. For a battery electric car, 69% of the original energy is available to drive the vehicle.

I think we have a winner.

More:
http://phys.org/news85074285.html / study research researcher researching fuel cell expert Ulf Bossel explains hydrogen economy inefficient wasteful large amount energy required isolate hydrogen natural compounds water natural gas biomass package light gas compression compress compressor pressure liquefaction transfer energy carrier user energy lost when converted useful electricity fuel cells cell around 25% practical use unacceptable value run economy sustainable future niche applications applicarion like submarines spacecraft use hydrogen more energy needed isolate hydrogen from natural compounds compound recovered from use Bossel explains PhysOrg.com making new chemical energy carrier form natural gas would not make sense increase gas consumption emission CO2 dwindling fossil fuel reserves reserve replaced replace energy from renewable sources source scientists scientist around world technology Bossel reality realistic use hydrogen carrying energy overall energy analysis hydrogen economy demonstrates high energy losses inevitably result resulting laws physics hydrogen economy advantages hydrogen praised praise journalists non-toxic burns burn water abundance hydrogen Universe misleading production hydrogen depends depend availability energy water rare political issues issue oil and natural gas money thorough analysis scientists research money laboratory laboratories laws of physics research capital technology never make economic sense source energy green electricity grid new energy carrier solve energy problem wasteful process analyze analysis analyzes method methods synthesize synthesizing store storing deliver delivery transport transportation delivering hydrogen method naturally occurring synthesized renewable electricity electrolysis of water energy content converted back electricity fuel cells recombined oxygen water separating separate hydrogen water electrolysis massive amounts of electrical energy substantial amounts water source energy carrier of energy electron economy existing electricity infrastructure storage battery /