What we need are near-self sustaining hydrogen fill up stations accross the United States. The initial investment does not even have to be extremely expensive either. Here is my idea of what could be built and how it would help lower the costs of operation until more hydrogen vehicles are available.
The fill-up station must have or use the following:
- As many photovoltaic panels/sheets installed as possible
- Wind generators (preferably with vertical turbines to reduce noise and visual impact)
- Rain collection and passive filtering system to filter the water before it is used for electrolosis
- Large hydrogen storage tanks for fuel storage for customer use and use by the station at night for power generation
- At least one fuel cell for the station's own power
- The use of LED lights for any lighting needs
- Connection to a water source because rain water will not always be available
- The station must be hooked up to the electrical grid so any excess power generated can be sold to electric utilities
- Credit card/debit card only because no one will be attending the station
The station would be monitored remotely and it will be able to send messages when problems occur. The amount of maintenance the station will require will be determined by the environmental conditions existing in the area.
The beauty about this idea is that it can make money for the owners by producing electricity until it will be used by consumers needing fuel. We can start building these stations now, and this can be a catalyst for bringing more hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to the market.
If someone decides to make vehicles that will combust hydrogen and oxygen, then the design of the station can be adapted to cater for this, too. The oxygen can be stored as well, and maybe it can be sold to companies who bottle oxygen.
If only some people with enough money will have the foresight, and be willing to wait for long term profits instead of just the short term, then we will be well on our way to a hydrogen "economy".
