Fuel Cells

[funkedup]

Are not a solution.
The word "fuel" is the problem.

[Thrawn]

My, how very cryptic.

[mietla]

Of course.

Fuel cells store energy,  they do not produce it. It's like saying let's solve the energy problem by powering everything with AAA batteries.

[ra]

They aren't intended to be a solution, they are a better mousetrap.

ra

[john9001]

Originally posted by funkedup
Are not a solution.
The word "fuel" is the problem.

horses store energy , they do not produce it, before your horse can pull your wagon , you must plant the hay , grow the hay,harvest the hay, store the hay,feed the hay to your horse ...then your horse can pull your wagon...nothing moves without using fuel, even sailing ships , you have to build the ship , make the sails, feed the crew, etc

[Animal]

Exactly.
People see fuel cells as this miracle form of energy, when in fact its just a more expensive evolution product of good old natural oil.

[GRUNHERZ]

Correct, but we can still hold out hope for electric cars- which will end all automotive polution forever....  Yes, yes then finally well be able to stop the evil gas/energy corporations...  

On the other hand I think the hybrid gas/electric cars seem like a pretty decent way to improve fuel economy and emmisions, at least for little commuter types, but again they are a bit too expensive now.

[Innominate]

What fuel cells are is a replacement for oil based fuels in cars, and a potential replacement for batteries.

When it actually comes to producing the electricity in the first place, nuclear and hydroelectric are the best options available.  Neither are perfect, hydroelectric needs fast moving water, and nuclear creates long-lived nuclear waste.  But both beat anything else currently available.

As for nuclear power, I'm all for building secure storage facilities in the middle of nowhere and leaving it to be dealt with in the future.  If in 500-1000 years, humanity hasn't progressed to the point where we can do something final with it(Proccess it further, or launch it into space, and into the sun), then we deserve whatever horrible fate it causes us.

[GRUNHERZ]

Nope. Fuel cells will most likely run on gasoline anyway....

[texace]

Well...in terms of science, a "cell" can be defined as a vessel that holds matter. If that's the case, funked is right. A fuel cell is simply a vessel for holding fuel. Literally, a fuel tank  could be defined as a fuel cell , it just depends on how you look at it.

Basically, cars now a days already have fuel "cells". If you want to get fancy, put metal walls in your fuel tank and create individual cells. Spending money for a car to use 18 or 20 little cells with fuel in it (essentially making a car with 20 tiny gas tanks that must be replaced) would be pointless.

The hybrids are the best solution to this problem, but the people who hate the Big Oil Companies seem to want more...

I don't want a full electric car that takes 3 hours to recharge...do you? What about a car with fuel cells that cost $5 each (in a car with 20 or more)?

:D:D:D:D:D:D

[funkedup]

No, we are talking about chemical cells which turn fuel into electricity.  These are known in the industry as fuel cells.

And yes they can run on gasoline.

If used to power vehicles, they would reduce emissions, but would not reduce our dependency on petroleum.

[funkedup]

Originally posted by Innominate

As for nuclear power, I'm all for building secure storage facilities in the middle of nowhere and leaving it to be dealt with in the future.  If in 500-1000 years, humanity hasn't progressed to the point where we can do something final with it(Proccess it further, or launch it into space, and into the sun), then we deserve whatever horrible fate it causes us.

WERD homie.

[SageFIN]

Originally posted by funkedup
No, we are talking about chemical cells which turn fuel into electricity.  These are known in the industry as fuel cells.

And yes they can run on gasoline.

If used to power vehicles, they would reduce emissions, but would not reduce our dependency on petroleum.

They could also run on hydrogen, which could be separated from water with nuclear power. Too bad that could doesn't mean would.

[OIO]

fuel cells are not batteries per say.

They can be a unit that CREATES electricity by chemical reactions. Like those nifty hydrogen fuel cells they are trying to develop.

[Sandman]

Why not hydrogen?