Hydrogen Economy

Hydrogen is the simplest, lightest element in the universe. It is made up of one proton and one electron. Because of its simplicity, hydrogen is considered to be the root of all elements. When hydrogen escapes into the atmosphere, it scatters immediately upward in the air (it's 14 times lighter than air). Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, making up more that 90% of all matter. On the Earth' s surface it is the third most abundant element, found in water and all organic matter. In its normal gaseous state, hydrogen is colourless, odourless, tasteless, and is non-toxic, which differentiates it from every other common fuel we use.

Hydrogen Economy is the vision of building an energy infrastructure that uses hydrogen as an energy carrier. The Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham states that:"A hydrogen economy will mean a world where our pollution problems are solved and where our need for abundant and affordable energy is secure . . . and where concerns about dwindling resources are a thing of the past."

Hydrogen is one of the most recent in the succession of energy providers, with many social, economic, and environmental benefits to its credit. The technology is now available to manifest a transition from a petroleum-based economy to a hydrogen-based economy. All three energy sectors (transportation, industry, heating and cooling of buildings) stand to benefit. Of these, the transportation sector will likely have the most profoundly immediate effect.

Hydrogen aids the transition to a new sustainable economic system. In this system, the cost of goods, the cost of industrial plants, in addition to the initial investment and operating costs, must include the environmental costs and decommissioning costs. There must be a penalty for resources used, which are not recoverable and there must be a bonus for recyclability achieved.

The new economic system will eventually lead to a sustainable state, where there will be no shortage of raw materials because they will be recycled. The environment will be bright and clean while quality of life will be significantly improved.