Based on new research from two teams of scientists, the hype of a hydrogen economy could be realized through solar and wind.

Theoretically, a hydrogen economy is ideal – the simplest element in the universe fueling our lives through clean energy. The problem, of course, lies in its creation. Hydrogen isn’t just lying in wait for us to capture. Hydrogen must be created and our current means of doing so is through the use of fossil fuels. In other words, we are using dirty energy to produce clean energy. This irony is the inspiration behind the work of two research teams convinced that solar and wind can turn the hype of a hydrogen economy into a reality.

FLYING HIGH FOR HYDROGEN

A Korean research team says a 6.5 million-square-foot parafoil (i.e., kite) – flown a mile high over the ocean, and tied to a catamaran equipped with a hydroelectric turbine – can produce enough electricity to separate hydrogen from seawater.

As reported by Wired, the research team notes in the March issue of the journal Energy:

“If such ships are deployed at 20-km (12.4-mile) intervals over two temperate zones, one in the middle of the Pacific Ocean in the Northern Hemisphere and the other everywhere in the Southern Hemisphere, the total power produced will be many times that needed by the world.”

Again, in theory this sounds ideal, but as of now that’s all it is – theory. Currently the largest parafoil manufactured is just 6,835-square-feet. The parafoil the research team envisions would need to be of a size 954 times bigger!

HYDROGEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Though not a new concept, using the sun to separate hydrogen from water has historically proven too inefficient to serve as a viable contributor to a hydrogen economy … until now.

Treehugger reports on a breakthrough among a team of scientists led by Dr. Thomas Nann at the University of East Anglia:

“The concept of water + sunlight = hydrogen is not new. But turning 60% of the energy in light into hydrogen power is. The trick lies in the nanophotocathode used by Nann’s team.

“A gold electrode coated with nanoclusters of indium phosphide absorb incoming photons of light (that is the wavy line marked ‘hv’ in the image). The nanoclusters then pass electrons liberated by the sun’s energy into an iron-sulfur complex which acts like a match-maker between the negatively charged electron and a hydrogen proton in the surrounding water molecules. Gaseous hydrogen results.”

At a time when the U.S. is intent on gaining ground in the renewable energy race, it would be interesting to know how much of the $90 billion set aside for clean energy investments is going toward hydrogen research, which would fall under the $26.6 billion earmarked for “renewable generation.”

Meredith Simonds Hydrogen Economy clean energy, Hydrogen Economy, kite, parafoil, Solar, Treehugger, Wind, Wired