1. January 28, 2009 @ 2:55 pm
   Guest post for Fuel Cell Insider blog « For hydrogen advocates only says...
   

   [...] The post can be found at the following link. [...]

2. January 29, 2009 @ 8:34 pm
   Philip Block says...
   

   It’s an idea. Auto clubs could be set up to  implement it. But when you really think about it, really not needed. As I mentioned in another part of this blog, when a practical auto was developed around 1885, they were too expensive for the average Joe, until 1908 when Ford came out with a mass produced affordable auto–more than 20 years after the fact. About the same time, the first gas stations appeared on the scene. Until that event, gas was bought as drug stores, general stores and whatever stores that just might have the product. It was the same old chicken and egg problem. Why have gas stations when there was not enough cars on the road to support them? When diesels started coming in aroud the early 1980s (for cars), gas stations had to add pumps and tanks to support the trade. Usually, diesels were a big truck item and diesel fuel was mainly available at truck stops. The way oil companies shut and then open new stations, the argument that they cannot afford to start installing H2 outlets is ridiculous, considering all the tax breaks they get, fed, state and whatnot. As mentioned, the oil companies are gradually selling off their stations as selling gasoline has become a headache due to all the fed and state mandates and other reasons. Now is a good oportunity to supplement the gas business with the H2 business. This will take some oil company exec. with guts–someone that , heaven forbid, will do something different. Sorry to say, I don’t think there are any around as most business heads(?) are the ivy league clones that only know how to crunch numbers and not take on a challenge. The Bill Gates and Steve Jobs types don’t exist anymore (maybe thats the problem, we need someone without a college education to get it done).

3. February 3, 2009 @ 11:07 am
   Paul Wickett says...
   

   I like the grass roots thinking.  You are correct in your conclusion that big business and government is not going to solve this problem, especially in these hard economic times.As I read your article I thought of ZipCars. (http://www.zipcar.com/)  ZipCars is a car-sharing business model where its members rent locally parked cars by the hour.  Such a business model could be successful in a college campus environment ( ie Ann Arbor University of Michigan) where students can’t afford cars and are more propone to being “green”.  The cars would be parked at a fuel cell refuelling statiion.A secondary benefit would be that engineering students could be employed to maintain the vehicles and become acquainted with fuel cell technology.  Maybe one of those engineers will invent or work on the next generation fuel cell or non-ICE vehicle. 

4. February 3, 2009 @ 11:19 pm
   Philip Block says...
   

   Not a bad idea, Mr. Wickett. That is what is needed, more people with good ideas, some forward looking venture capitalists (where are all those VCs from the sixties and seventies?) and some people willing to stick their necks out and start a new business. Hey, Mr. Buffett, Mr. Sorros, Mr. Billionaire, where are you when your country needs you?

5. February 4, 2009 @ 12:45 pm
   Paul Wickett says...
   

   Does anyone have any contacts at Honda?.  Honda has a vehicle and the refueling appliance.  I so know some VC in MI.

6. February 5, 2009 @ 12:01 pm
   Bill Reinert from Toyota: “I’m still very bullish on the promise of fuel cells” « For hydrogen advocates only says...
   

   [...] of positive feedback.  It has been discussed on the Edmunds Green Car Advisor, Benton Crane blog, Fuel Cell Insider, and Gas [...]

7. February 23, 2009 @ 9:11 am
   Gerard Vaughan says...
   

   I believe that before we wonder how we can get fuel-pumps all over  the place we ne to think about where the fuel is going to come-from.   At present people assume that it will come from “Wind turbines” - as well as solar technology of which I am not really qualified to comment, save to say that I’m spending about 800 Euro on solar pv this Spring IF I get  the opportunity.      Regarding “Wind”, though, as with other so-called “renewable sources of energy”  (whatever kind of a concept that might be) the one parameter that is never mentioned  could maybe be defined as      Average power output  x  lifetime (= so much energy delivered) Divided by      How much energy is required to make one of  the things.     This must obviously be greater than 1 within a “reasonable” period for “lifetime” or it is actually an economic millstone.  A drain, not a source at all.     Currently this seems to me to be overlooked as we gleefully proclaim that “just one patch of Algeria could  provide enough Power ( not Eneregy, note) for  the whole of Europe”  Possibly so, but for how long, and how much energy is required to be INVESTED in the Thing in “Algeria”         The most Vital statistic of any energy gathering/supplying device MUST be the above, which is quite simply the % of cost returned per annum !!         “It’s only money” attitude - combined with the reliance on fossil fuels - is what has got us into this un-enviable (by anyone from another planet) situation.      Wind-energy systems which take into account mere physical reality as well - possibly - as political correctness, can readily return 5% p.a., and more from verey good sites.  But who - but governments with a “green-party problem” are going to invest at 5% when they can get 505? % from Oil and gas ?

8. March 20, 2009 @ 9:51 pm
   Philip Block says...
   

   What many people seem to forget to take into account is the massive acreage required for the windmills. Also what seems to be forgotten (or ignored) is the massive amount of acreage that has to be purchased/condemmed for the right of way for the transmission lines from supply to consumer. These right of ways must be cleared, maintained, and taxes paid. Maintenance of the whole system can be a logistics headache. Except for special circumstances, wind mill systems cannot be justified engineering wise or business wise. The whole idea is another scam to keep wind mill manufacturers, consultant enginners, construction companies, and transmission line companies in business (also  politicians who can look green and get money for the nest election from those in on the scam). Without huge Federal and State tax assistance, there isn’t a single power company exec. that could justify tthe system as a private enterprise. Again, certain circumstances justify the cost and the system, but not on the massive scale that is being pushed down the taxpayers’ throat, as that is the person that is really paying for it.

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