THIS WEEK ON
 SCIENCE FRIDAY...
scifri rainbow logo

Science Friday > Archives > 2002 > September > September 13, 2002:
Hour Two: Hydrogen Economy

What would it take to make a hydrogen economy work? Better production systems for hydrogen? Delivery and storage systems? Higher prices for oil and gas? Political will?

In this hour of Science Friday, we'll talk about the promise -- and reality -- of a hydrogen-based energy economy. While many futurists point to hydrogen as the solution to many of the world's economic and environmental problems, there are still practical and political stumbling blocks preventing the adoption of a hydrogen economy. We'll talk about them, as well as possible solutions. Will you ever see a hydrogen-powered fuel cell car sitting in your driveway?

We'll also hear about research published last month, in which scientists announced they had successfully extracted hydrogen fuel from plants. Will the technique bring the hydrogen economy closer to reality?

Call in with your comments and questions at 1-800-989-8255, and share your opinions online in our Listeners' Lounge (registration required).

RealAudio Icon

Listen to this program in RealAudio!

Guests:
Randy Cortright
Research Scientist, Chemical Engineering
University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin

Jeremy Rifkin
Author: "The Hydrogen Economy: The Creation of the Worldwide Energy Web and the Redistribution of Power on Earth" (Tarcher/Putnam, 2002)
Fellow, Wharton School's Executive Education Program
University of Pennsylvania
President, Foundation on Economic Trends
Washington, D.C.

Peter Hoffmann
Editor-in-Chief, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Letter
Author, "Tomorrow's Energy: Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and the Prospects for a Cleaner Planet" (MIT Press, 2001)
Rhinecliff, New York

Books/Articles Discussed:

"The Hydrogen Economy: The Creation of the World Wide Energy Web and the Redistribution of Power on Earth" by Jeremy Rifkin. Tarcher/Putnam, 2002.

"Tomorrow's Energy: Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and the Prospects for a Cleaner Planet," by Peter Hoffmann. MIT Press, 2001.

"Hydrogen from catalytic reforming of biomass-derived hydrocarbons in liquid water." R. D. Cortright, R. R. Davda & J. A. Dumesic, Nature 418, 964–967 (2002).

(find more SciFri books here)

Search by keywords:

Related Links:
American Hydrogen Association
Hydrogen Information Network
Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Letter
Sweet step to hydrogen revolution
Headlines for August 28, 2002
TechTV | 21st Century Cruising With the Hy-Wire
GM Ability - Environment
October 26, 2001, Hour 1: Alternative Energy
EPRI: Science & Technology solutions for the global energy industry.
BMW World - 750hL

This segment produced by Annette Heist

 

 

Science Friday® and sciencefriday.com are produced by ScienceFriday Inc. "Science Friday" is a registered service mark.

Copyright 2002 ScienceFriday Inc. All Rights Reserved.