Reply #1: I don't know that much about it.. but wanted to chime in anyways [View All]

if only to get this thread rolling....




I don't think that electrolysis competing for water is a problem. Once you use the Hydrogen in a fuel cell you produce water. I don't know for certain but it was my understanding that the water reproduced from the fuel cell is equal (or nearly equal) to the amount used to produce the Hydrogen.


Solar seems to make the most sense to me. I don't understand why people talk about the need for a "Manhattan Project" for renewable energy sources when we could simply start mass producing solar panels.

I also think there should be a program to help homeowners afford solar panels for their houses. If the benefit of those panels were estimated and the cost spread out to make it "cost neutral" until they are payed off it could be seen as very attractive. Once they were payed off the panels would then be providing energy without any cost. It should also increase the value of the home. If energy companies provided these solar panels, and installed them, the payment could be on your electric bill and you would not even need to write a separate check to make the monthly payment. If this caught on and most homes produced a portion of their own electricity it may also reduce the strain on our intra-structure.



My big question is about sugar based ethanol. I understand that sugar cane can only be grown in regions closer to the equator. We can't grow it here and do what Brazil did. I assume other places with similar climates can. Why don't we stimulate the production of sugar based ethanol in these countries and import that instead of oil? I am clearly over simplifying here but I think you see my point.

Corn should be used for bio-diesel IMO. The corn based ethanol just does not produce enough energy to make it worth the effort.

I don't know why we are still talking about this stuff instead of acting in any meaningful way.

OK, I rambled on longer than I intended to. Sorry about that. I hope this thread takes off in spite of me.