Fascinating watch especially for the H2 guys. About 42 minutes.

[CDN-VT]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLidTCqAAtY

http://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/electric-big-rig-startup-nikola-comes-up-with-a-surpris-1789586024

[Powerplay]

As far as hydrogen as fuel is concerned.  It is a non-starter AFAIK.

expensive to make.
impractical to transport
difficult to store
expensive new infrastructure
extremely flammable
still requires a fossil fuel electrical power plant to separate it from oxygen
for every 100% of electrical power produced conventionally and put into extracting hydrogen only 70% comes back out

This could be mitigated a little if they used solar power to create the electrical power required to extract the hydrogen in the first place.

[CDN-VT]

I also see this as a better mouse trap , BUT !! I don't know it all , So I'll post & see how close im thinking.
VT

[TomW]

I did not take time to watch the video, not really interested these days. Having said that, I consider Hydrogen to be an energy carrier, not an energy source.Much like a battery. Not saying it is bad just that it is not really a way to reduce fossil fuel use. At least not yet. Cracking water with solar or other renewables might make it sensiible. Converting fossil fuels to hydrogen is a non starter, not quite as bad as corn to fuel with a net energy deficit, but a close second.


I am no expert  but I just see it as another hyped up topic much like credits for limiting release and sequestering carbon.

Just my opinions

Tom

[Westbranch]

I agree totally with the Tom's comments about the conversion from Fossil fuels, but at times like this we solar enthusiasts may be of little influence, being outliers.... too logical/practical.... I see the movers/shakers in this play as being those in   THE  CITY that want to get fossil fuels off the streets, they will go hook, line and sinker for it...  Vancouver BC has just passed a new bylaw outlawing the cleanest fuel to heat your house (Nat gas)  in the city by 2020!  so what are their alternatives, only one Electricity... at least they have Hydro sources,....  but the peaker plant is a nat gas burner!

[CDN-VT]

All this BC BS & they have ordered 3 new LNG ferry vessels  , How are they going to fuel them.  250 AC to separate from BC, VICTORIA gets a 604 AC  !

I kinda agree also on the "Hydrogen to be an energy carrier, not an energy source."

I'm trying this solar as well , but my rain & cloud is killing the harvest .

VT

[russ_drinkwater]

I found a youtube movie about a fellow in canada I suspect who runs his house off a large forklift pack (20 years old he stated)
He also has another array which is used to make hydrogen and it is stored in large gas tanks and this used during winter
to run whatever he has setup to charge the batteries during heavy snow episodes.
From memory there are 4-6 x 1000lb gas tanks in the system.
There are people out there using hydrogen.
Plenty of hydrogen generator units available here for bolt-ons for diesel trucks being sold.
So it does work, just have to pick the right application.
My mates dad has a lpg motor (5-10hp) laying in his shed. Brand new left over from when he sold them.
Would love to get my hands on it! Unsure of brand, but often wondered if it would run on hydrogen!

[CDN-VT]

A Link Russ would be great On the youtube movie about a fellow in canada & He also has another array which is used to make hydrogen .

VT

[Powerplay]

I saw a TV bit long ago about a guy that collected the hydrogen & oxygen that was electrolyzed from his flooded batteries and he had modified his car engine to run on the re-combined hydrogen and oxygen + air.

As for power storage I think Tesla might have had the right idea to store power in the Schumann cavity and extract it from there.  Battery issues solved.  But alas, the gov't probably has his papers on the topic and would like us to ignore it.  Tesla only invented, three phase AC generation and the electric motor that makes modern life possible, plus radio remote control and holds the true patent on air radio wave broadcast technology.

[russ_drinkwater]

Hi,
Yes CDN I am sure that the fellow had 2 arrays. One was for the fork lift pack and the other was for his hydrogen production during the
summer months.
It is years since I have seen it, but I will try do a search now I have usable internet load again.
Had a look and no joy
But the same principle is now being used and the tech upgraded by companies. These are a couple of links.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my_EjR7zgu8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVuD9VoeLYE

Sorry could not find original youtube presentation, but that was over 5 years ago on night duty at work, lol!

[CDN-VT]

Russ Close ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vel9LH57RII


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk08Mul_yfw

[russ_drinkwater]

Not exactly the same one, but it is basically the same setup. I have watched this one as well.
The other old mates setup was not as fancy.
The setup in the video is really magic and a credit to the designer and installers.

[Powerplay]

BTW, I think Tesla's solution involved driving 85 foot ground rods.  Driving my 8 foot DC grounds gave me enough trouble (rocky ground) this might be a bit beyond my DIY capabilities.   

[russ_drinkwater]

I just do not understand why there is such a lack of work in regard to hydrogen as solar panels are so cheap nowadays?
Is it that complicated?
If my brain injured son can build a functioning small unit there seems to be something missing.
Storage and usage issues?
I have had the hots for a unit for my old diesel truck for a few years now.
Just coming up with the cash for a turbocharger and the hydrogen generator is a killer!
What comes first? Hydrogen or turbo?
I lean towards turbo as it is basic and not a complicated piece of equipment.

[mike90045]

Storage is the problem.  Hydrogen damages (embrittlement) most metals, even the expensive ones.   And it's so light and airy, density is a problem, you have to compress and compress it, then store it for use.