How to Use Hydrogen as an Alternative Energy

Hydrogen is a renewable energy source, unlike fossil fuels. Some vehicles use hydrogen as a fuel source. This helps alleviate some of the strain put on dwindling petroleum reserves. It also helps keep pollution levels in the atmosphere lower. When hydrogen burns, the product is water instead of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. While hydrogen is abundant on Earth, separating the hydrogen from a compound for use as an energy source requires different kinds of energy input. This does not necessarily make it a way to save energy or fossil fuels.

• 1

  Choose a source of hydrogen. Methane and water both contain hydrogen. Natural gas, a fossil fuel, is a convenient source of methane. It is also a non-renewable energy source, and will not help conserve energy. Water is renewable, but requires energy to split. Electricity is a common way to split water. Fossil fuels power electrical plants. Unless solar or wind energy create the electricity to split the water, hydrogen fuel does not help with dependence of oil or natural gas.

• 2

  Purchase a car with an engine that runs on hydrogen fuel. These cars can be quite expensive and may be hard to find. Hydrogen does not contain as much energy per gallon as regular gasoline. To travel the same distance, the fuel cells need to be bigger and more hydrogen is used. Refilling the car more often will also cost more than gasoline-powered cars.

• 3

  Locate hydrogen fuel stations in your area. These stations are not very widespread with most located in California. Long distance trips with hydrogen-fueled vehicles may cost more or may not be possible due to lack of stations. Take routes that have established stations and refill where possible.

• 4

  Use caution when filling your car. Hydrogen is only in liquid form at very low temperatures. Even brief contact with human flesh will cause serious burns similar to frostbite. Transporting liquid hydrogen over long distances from a laboratory or factory to a filling station is costly and potentially dangerous. If the fuel cell is not fully insulated, evaporation of the fuel will occur at a high rate, losing you money in the long run.