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Chu sees benefits of hydrogen fuel cells

Aiken Standard -- Local hydrogen advocates are encouraged by Secretary of Energy Steven Chu's change of heart about the benefits of hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Since his appointment in 2009, Chu has doubted the future of hydrogen and fuel cell technology and requested substantial cutbacks in the Department of Energy budget for hydrogen research, but he recently voiced support for the initiatives.

In a media interview with an industry news program last month, Chu admitted that, initially, he did not have much faith in hydrogen technology.

"Several things changed my mind. The most important thing that changed my mind was the fact that we now have natural gas in abundance... hydrogen is reformed from natural gas," Chu said in the June 22 interview with AutoLine Daily.

He also said the technology would..

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Submitted Jul 07, 2012 By: EZExit

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,609 Points:1,608,545 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2012 5:59:51 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse ed: and you think anyone else will be different inside the Beltway?
Edpap Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:4,317 Points:504,975 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Jul 9, 2012 10:05:29 AM Ignore Edpap Report Abuse I prefer the opinions of a class of 6th graders over Chu. He is a bought and paid for politician who will say whatever who is paying him wants said. ...this is part of Obuma's election song and dance routine for the weak minded.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,609 Points:1,608,545 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 9, 2012 6:02:05 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse whaboush, I'm sure you're much smarter than Chu.
Hobby001 Champion Author Michigan Posts:5,093 Points:1,183,090 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jul 9, 2012 5:12:26 AM Ignore Hobby001 Report Abuse How many homes have converted from oil furnaces to natural gas in the first half of this year? That is a much smarter method to reduce the use of petroleum distillates.
MikeCapeCoral Champion Author Cape Coral Posts:1,927 Points:418,870 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Jul 9, 2012 3:21:09 AM Ignore MikeCapeCoral Report Abuse Wow... high pressure H2... Where's my lighter??? Wait until one of these babies blows.
LetemEatCake Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:5,596 Points:1,204,605 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 9, 2012 12:35:10 AM Ignore LetemEatCake Report Abuse Good points rx7racerca...NG at this time is the ticket!
GOBUTLER Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:1,425 Points:389,085 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 11:04:21 PM Ignore GOBUTLER Report Abuse Ok
carranco Champion Author Georgia Posts:1,027 Points:268,265 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 10:22:42 PM Ignore carranco Report Abuse Doesn't matter what he thinks, he and the one will be gone soon.
eomc17 Champion Author Tucson Posts:1,822 Points:134,145 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 6:13:30 PM Ignore eomc17 Report Abuse I saw an article on "GasHole" in which a man created a vehicle that runs on hydrogen way back in the 50's and big oil bullied and threatened his life until he sold his invention to big oil, only to have the invention disappear and the man himself was forced to be silent about it. And we all know that Steven Chu is not a very truthful person and loves to flip-flop now and then regarding his "points of view", the administrations interest in lower energy prices come to mind, in which he told us first that lower energy prices were not in the government's best interest, then flip-flopped his view ten days later, that he "no longer shared that point of view". I trust Steven Chu about as much as I trust Obama, who lies on public television about almost everything, always blames others for all of his failures, and is about as transparent as muddy water. [Edited by: eomc17 at 7/8/2012 6:15:25 PM EST]
5kvdave All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:688 Points:350,000 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 4:36:08 PM Ignore 5kvdave Report Abuse WHATEVER!!!!
5kvdave All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:688 Points:350,000 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 4:33:48 PM Ignore 5kvdave Report Abuse ???
PathfinderSC Champion Author South Carolina Posts:9,511 Points:1,829,665 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 4:27:59 PM Ignore PathfinderSC Report Abuse Natural gas is abundant now, But get enough cars & trucks on it and we will paying more than gas is today.
movrshakr Champion Author Florida Posts:1,323 Points:1,448,875 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 2:13:04 PM Ignore movrshakr Report Abuse . NG is abundant. Let's spend billions developing other, more-expensive-to-use stuff, shall we? Oil is abundant. Let's spend billions developing other, more-expensive-to-use stuff, shall we?
rx7racerca Champion Author Calgary Posts:4,192 Points:1,111,895 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 8:46:15 AM Ignore rx7racerca Report Abuse But, does a fuel cell vehicle running on H2 from natural gas actually yield any net reduction in emissions of C02 vs burning natural gas in an internal combustion engine optimized for natural gas' higher octane rating? Internal combustion engines do translate much less of the energy of their fuel into vehicular motion than fuel cells do (generally about 35% at best, but higher compression, permitted by natural gas, would improve somewhat on that), but the creation of hydrogen from natural gas looses about 30% of the energy in the process, meaning hydrogen fuel cell cars are starting from a position of only 70% efficiencty to begin with, and since hydrogen can't be shipped in pipelines, distribution is less efficient as well. PEM fuel cells (very expensive, but suitable for automotive applications) are around 60% efficient. It appears a fuel cell vehicle would still have higher net efficiency - but not by a lot, and not enough to justify the fact fuel cells cost many times what entire IC engine vehicles do - there can't be a hydrogen economy as anything but manufacturer pilot programs when the fuel cells cost six figures - and won't get cheaper with mass production, because the expense comes largely from precious metals used as catalysts - which will go up in price if demand grows to mass produce PEM fuel cells
ClarkSC Champion Author South Carolina Posts:3,073 Points:1,010,430 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 7:53:29 AM Ignore ClarkSC Report Abuse Nonsence.
Hobby001 Champion Author Michigan Posts:5,093 Points:1,183,090 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 7:31:37 AM Ignore Hobby001 Report Abuse Many think that conversion of home heating to natural gas from oil is better, leaving the petroleum distillates for use in vehicles. By the way, the Gores and many other Dems made big money through oil companies. [Edited by: Hobby001 at 7/8/2012 7:33:22 AM EST]
molebaby96 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:2,121 Points:504,415 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 4:32:48 AM Ignore molebaby96 Report Abuse Stop government subsidies.
jcurley Champion Author California Posts:7,893 Points:1,774,045 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 2:40:29 AM Ignore jcurley Report Abuse Seems like it would be easier to just use NG in our vehicles, but that would really annoy the GOP base (big oil).
vulcan96 Champion Author Ohio Posts:26,896 Points:3,102,700 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:44:27 AM Ignore vulcan96 Report Abuse repeat
Dodge_Me Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,214 Points:555,480 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:41:47 AM Ignore Dodge_Me Report Abuse Will be awesome when presented to the masses
VaBchDriver Sophomore Author Virginia Beach Posts:163 Points:935,020 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:37:22 AM Ignore VaBchDriver Report Abuse News flash..."natural gas in abundance".
boatfloyd Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:1,713 Points:387,000 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:35:04 AM Ignore boatfloyd Report Abuse Far Out :).
stratlinetime Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:2,276 Points:562,860 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:34:57 AM Ignore stratlinetime Report Abuse Ok
carman11 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,332 Points:690,750 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:34:26 AM Ignore carman11 Report Abuse wow
NorthglennBill Champion Author Denver Posts:7,417 Points:1,471,470 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:33:47 AM Ignore NorthglennBill Report Abuse Ahh.... Politics
mfeldstein Champion Author Ottawa Posts:8,166 Points:1,929,405 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:32:10 AM Ignore mfeldstein Report Abuse Hydrogen fuel cells are the future, not tomorrow, but in good time if we support R&D.
CDMAuto Champion Author Connecticut Posts:3,788 Points:752,940 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:30:19 AM Ignore CDMAuto Report Abuse Good
DrLyon Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,645 Points:1,211,005 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:28:27 AM Ignore DrLyon Report Abuse Go alternative fuels...
gamalerin Champion Author Tampa Posts:4,747 Points:992,535 Joined:Jul 2010	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:27:12 AM Ignore gamalerin Report Abuse benefits if you have money to buy one.
lindact Champion Author New Haven Posts:8,731 Points:1,715,995 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:26:53 AM Ignore lindact Report Abuse A good alternative...
mcmonsta Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,222 Points:816,820 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:26:00 AM Ignore mcmonsta Report Abuse cheaper alternatives never hurt
96sc1 Champion Author El Paso Posts:8,517 Points:1,367,440 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:25:05 AM Ignore 96sc1 Report Abuse I don't see the benefit of Chu.
keithyoon1977 Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,909 Points:494,740 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:24:49 AM Ignore keithyoon1977 Report Abuse Ok
dlzastera Champion Author Minnesota Posts:4,505 Points:1,022,370 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:24:29 AM Ignore dlzastera Report Abuse Chu will be looking for a job in six months.
KnoxGasPriceSpy Champion Author Knoxville Posts:140,847 Points:918,845 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:22:51 AM Ignore KnoxGasPriceSpy Report Abuse hydrogen is everywhere
DustyHorse Champion Author Virginia Posts:6,079 Points:1,390,785 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:21:16 AM Ignore DustyHorse Report Abuse OK keep working on the technology.
suzmar Champion Author Texas Posts:2,212 Points:871,115 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:20:03 AM Ignore suzmar Report Abuse I don't think Sec. Chu has a clue about anything.
Beaveronparade Champion Author Hartford Posts:2,102 Points:634,115 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:19:54 AM Ignore Beaveronparade Report Abuse Interesting article.
esquared Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:8,062 Points:1,969,135 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:19:43 AM Ignore esquared Report Abuse One word: Hindenburg
stopforgas All-Star Author Mississippi Posts:996 Points:480,205 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:19:28 AM Ignore stopforgas Report Abuse Just do it!
heartbroken2010 Champion Author Ottawa Posts:4,339 Points:896,560 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:17:32 AM Ignore heartbroken2010 Report Abuse buyer remorse here ??
goalie1950 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:6,405 Points:1,295,445 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:17:30 AM Ignore goalie1950 Report Abuse I think this article has Chu'ed on this long enough. Let's move on with some new stuff.
miser709 Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,268 Points:1,069,050 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:16:34 AM Ignore miser709 Report Abuse All talk.
gavinON All-Star Author Toronto Posts:562 Points:112,935 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:15:47 AM Ignore gavinON Report Abuse hmmm
Dailyrun Champion Author Kentucky Posts:1,977 Points:387,865 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:15:28 AM Ignore Dailyrun Report Abuse That's what we need.
jem069 Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,533 Points:686,105 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:14:53 AM Ignore jem069 Report Abuse Ok
gmcgas Champion Author Atlanta Posts:5,948 Points:1,713,195 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:14:13 AM Ignore gmcgas Report Abuse a clue?
crreed1 Champion Author West Virginia Posts:1,980 Points:2,525,360 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:14:10 AM Ignore crreed1 Report Abuse BS
jkpsr Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,074 Points:1,100,930 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:14:09 AM Ignore jkpsr Report Abuse A place with all kinds of potential electricity, like Iceland, could easily produce pure hydrogen from water, but it doesn't compress well.
VetteFan Champion Author Indiana Posts:9,734 Points:2,027,505 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 12:14:00 AM Ignore VetteFan Report Abuse Make them available to the public and we'll see which technology rules the day.