Product Description
Owing to the limited resources of fossil fuels, hydrogen is proposed as an alternative and environment-friendly energy carrier. However, its potential is limited by storage problems, especially for mobile applications. Current technologies, as compressed gas or liquefied hydrogen, comprise severe disadvantages and the storage of hydrogen in lightweight solids could be the solution to this problem.

Since the optimal storage mechanism and optimal material have yet to be identified, this first handbook on the topic provides an excellent overview of the most probable candidates, highlighting both their advantages as well as drawbacks.

From the contents:

• Physisorption
• Clathrates
• Metal hydrides
• Complex hydrides
• Amides, imides, and mixtures
• Tailoring Reaction Enthalpies
• Borazan
• Aluminum hydride
• Nanoparticles

Product Description
Discover the solid science and cutting-edge technologies behind hydrogen energy and fuel cells, and learn how we will use this energy in our homes and buildings, vehicles and public transportation, for electricity in remote areas and for backup power, and much more. Zed, the wise wizard of the Wasserstoff Farm, leads readers through chapters that include an overview of basic chemistry and energy transformation; a look at global warming and the annual U.S. energy consumption; electrolysis and other ways of extracting hydrogen from water; extracting hydrogen from coal, natural gas and biomass; ethanol and methanol production; nuclear energy and hydrogen production; using wind and solar energy for hydrogen production; hydrogen storage; internal combustion engines fueled by hydrogen; and fuel cells for vehicles and buildings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Bad book, but I read it anyway.
I gave this book two stars rather than one simply because it somehow got me to the last page.

The writing is downright painful, but almost so catastrophic that I think I read it in the same way that one watches a terrible car accident.The interest for me came from trying to sift the science out of an awkward attempt at a novel-like plot.It seems as though Rex Ewing could not decide until the end weather he was writing a fantasy story for 9 year olds or a science book.If this was done more gracefully, this formula could have worked well towards the goal of "making science fun," but I believe that Mr. Ewing needed either a co-author or a very involved editor to help with the story line. I think Mr. Ewing probably has a very useful list of notes that would have made a great read before getting abducted by unicorns and wizards.

By the end I felt as though Mr. Ewing is probably a very nice and intelligent guy that I would much rather meet over coffee to discuss Hydrogen energy.I feel almost bad giving him a bad review.

Looks like others thought it was fantastic.Maybe it just is not right for everyone.

Hydrogen- Hot stuff cool Science
arrive on time and read it.Not impress with the content because have read much on the topic but for someone's first book on the topic is would be good..

Hydrogen the book
This book is even better than described! While providing a bit of humor it also gives good detailed information that is pertainent with todays world. I highly recommend this book to anybody interested in learning.I also highly recommend this retailer as being honest and a fast shipper.

Nice book
I recommend this book for everyone that thirst in science, because this book will answer the possibilities using hydrogen as an energy, and explain everything in fun way. Congrats for Rex...

I want to resell
I have baught this book to study about the hydrogen. But there's no new information. And the story is very confusion. Please don't buy. ... Read more

Product Description
Ages 9 to 12 years. In this important book, children will discover not only what hydrogen is, but also how this simple element can create clean energy, as well exploring it's past dealings with hot air balloons and airships, its present, space shuttles and fuel cells. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

JUNK
this book is a waste of time and money. Only suitable for grade 1, a general overview of Hydrogen.

hydrogen society - Toyota Fine X
In order for a hydrogen society to exist a network of hydrogen refueling stations are required. Hydrogen will be created on site or transported in liquid or pressurized gas to the refueling station.

Toyota has a concept car called the Fine-X.The fine-X is powered by hydrogen fuel cells.Stack fuel cells provide the electrical power and use a alloy catalyst requiring fewer precious metals.Fine X has four wheel independant steering system allowing turn on a dime. The fine X is a four passenger car.The front passenger seat pivots allowing the passenger to standup and walk away from the vehicle.The car will emit zero CO2 emissions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Agree on a must read for everyone in America
While the book is not the most well written book nor does it give any real starting points on building your own hydrogen generating device/facility nor hydrogen burning engine/fuel cell, it is still a must read for every one who can read as a starting point for what needs to be done to begin the process of energy independence from fossil fuels.

Great Strategic Ideas
I really enjoyed this book.It shows the possiblity of creating an infrastructure here in the US to become completely energy independant.It won't be easy due to special interests, but could come about from grass roots efforts.By becoming energy independent, all the money spent overseas will now stay in the US and create an economy that does good rather than harm.Solar energy parks, hydrogen generation via electolyzers run off solar energy, internal combustion engine conversion (minus emissions which actually clean the air), and lots more ideas are covered.This is a book on ideas and it is up to the little buy to start small and make things happen.One person can make a difference.This book has gotten me interested in hydrogen and fuel cells.I am in the process of building a small fuel cell car experiment kit and then I want to experiment on my lawnmower.

He sold me on alternative energy but not on hydrogen.
Roy does a very good job of explaining hydrogen production and the various methods that can be used to create it. He also does a very good job of explaining the need for renewable energy and how it could have 'anti-inflationary' effects if we spent the money on that instead of wasting it on non-renewable fossil fuels that could be put to better use in manufacturing.

Overall it was a good book and I did learn a few things reading it.

I would recommend reading another book after this called 'The Hype about Hydrogen' that will point out some of the drawbacks to hydrogen.

Very clear concepts, but not to build anything
A good book if you plan to get an insight on renewable subjects. In fact, I think this book should be an obligatory students book in a world that seems to be in an hypnoptical party thought to last forever.

Concepts are very balanced and demistifying, not just hydrogen tecnologies.

On my personal experience it was not wat I expected, because I think it's a book about economy, it just will give you plenty of tables, charts, and historical info about our confused society, and will let you see on your very own, that a lot of things on the world are wrong because of manipulated interests. Don't expect to build anything based on this book.

A glimmer of hope in a fading world
I have been studying alternative energy for over 20 years. Back in the 70's & 80's I got involved with passive solar & ethanol production. Eventually I became an architect to help "save the world". I eventually jumped on the hydrogen band wagon a few years ago & jumped back off when I realized it was mostly hype.
Lately I have been experimenting with biodiesel & am trying to get into straight vegitable oil as fuel.

This book has renewed my interest in hydrogen. Solar & wind generated hydrogen makes perfect sense. Roy really knows his stuff & he explains the technicalities in a way most people can understand. A more advanced person may not find much new information. Of particular interest to me was the section on parabolic mirror collectors heating sterling engines to produce electricity. The electricity could be used to generate hydrogen from water or other mediums.

Roy explains in very simple terms how we could convert many of our existing infastructures into hydrogen supporting infastructures. In the end the book has given me hope and renewed my interest in sustainability. ... Read more

Product Description
"President Bush’s remarks in his State-of-the-Union message proposing a big jump in funding for hydrogen and fuel cell research and development are terrific news. It’s imperative that Congress follows through now and makes available those funds.Aside from the tangible benefits of spending more on an environmentally benign area of energy that for too long has been treated - often condescendingly - like a poor orphan, the political message is of supreme significance. For decades, supporters of hydrogen and other alternative energy fields have argued until they were blue in the face, that the key ingredient missing in moving forward is national political will.President Bush’s support provides a large measure of that political will."--Peter Hoffmann, 31 January 2003About the book:Hydrogen is the quintessential eco-fuel. This invisible, tasteless gas is the most abundant element in the universe. It is the basic building block and fuel of stars and an essential raw material in innumerable biological and chemical processes. As a completely nonpolluting fuel, it may hold the answer to growing environmental concerns about atmospheric accumulation of carbon dioxide and the resultant Greenhouse Effect. In this book Peter Hoffmann describes current research toward a hydrogen-based economy. He presents the history of hydrogen energy and discusses the environmental dangers of continued dependence on fossil fuels.Hydrogen is not an energy source but a carrier that, like electricity, must be manufactured. Today hydrogen is manufactured by "decarbonizing" fossil fuels. In the future it will be derived from water and solar energy and perhaps from "cleaner" versions of nuclear energy. Because it can be made by a variety of methods, Hoffmann argues, it can be easily adapted by different countries and economies. Hoffmann acknowledges the social, political, and economic difficulties in replacing current energy systems with an entirely new one. Although the process of converting to a hydrogen-based economy would be complex, he demonstrates that the environmental and health benefits would far outweigh the costs.Amazon.com Review
The word hydrogen conjures images of devastating bombs and burning zeppelins (the Hindenburg) for most of us, but it inspires visionaries like Peter Hoffmann to picture clear skies and safer roads. Hoffmann's book Tomorrow's Energy traces the history of the volatile gas and explores options for its use as fuel. Though the author can't avoid using some technical language, his writing should still appeal well beyond the community of automotive and power-plant engineers. His coverage, though fairly balanced, tends toward the positive efforts made by government, corporations, environmentalists, and scientists to promote hydrogen as a clean, relatively safe, and potentially cheap alternative to carbon-heavy fuels.

Party-line Greens may gasp at some of the suggested schemes, which include using limited nuclear power to generate hydrogen from water. But Hoffmann convincingly assures the reader that ultimately, the planet will be better off this way. Many will be surprised at how far hydrogen has advanced since serious research restarted during the 1970s fuel crisis: the range of cars, planes, and power networks using the gas for power storage is impressive and underreported.

Though he makes his case for hydrogen as a means of powering our lives, Hoffmann also shows off its uses in medicine, agriculture, metallurgy, and other fields. Using economic data, he shows that we can expect to live in a hydrogen economy sometime midcentury; if so, we can all breathe a collective, CO2-laden sigh of relief. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Inspiring, but sketchy on the details
A nice vision, and not a new one, but is it practical and realistic?I don't know but I think that fuel made from yeast or algae fed from CO2 from fossil fuel plants can close the carbon cycle and may be much easier to implement within today's infrastructure...but I just flip burgers what do I know?The one big gripe I have with this book is that it doesn't describe the pitfalls of hydrogen, the technical breakthroughs that are required (and the likelihood of success), and what other competitors may be out there that can make hydrogen never get off the ground (yes I know it's lighter than air but can you say greenhouse gas?).

Hydrogen storage is a central issue surrounding adaptation into hydrogen as tomorrow's energy
Hydrogen storage is a central issue surrounding adaptation into hydrogen as tomorrow's energy. Internal Combustion Engines burning hydrogen seem like the popular future.Toyota's Rav 4 prototype uses a metal hydride to carry hydrogen in solid form.Hydrogen extracting micro plant under the hood seems unfeasible and hydride storage seems more probable, as the means for storing hydrogen. Steel pressurized tanks seem unfeasible requiring 5,000 psi, weighting 3,400 lbs, and maintaining 800 atmospheres.Hydrides are safer because they cannot spill or vent hydrogen or burn in a crash.

Energy Conversion Devices touts its magnesium based atomically based engineered hydrides as capable of storing hydrogen efficiently and effectively.In 2004, a Toyota Prius housed a ECD solid hydrogen storage system.The prototype Prius achieved 200 miles ranges, used a turbo charged internal combustible engine too boost horse power, innovated with carbon fiber wound tank reducing weight competitively, maintained 1,500 psi during saturation and an operating pressure of 300-500 psi, timeout at eight minutes for refueling with a goal of reaching five minutes, and a storage capacity of 3 kilograms of hydrogen.

Hydrides slow down fast moving neutrons.Hydrides release and absorb hydrogen at different pressures:Hydrogen under higher pressure than equilibrium is absorbed into the metal and is in solid form and gives off heat; Hydrogen under lower pressure than equilibrium releases and heat must be added. To release hydrogen the gas pressure is simply lowered.

The new ECD carbon fiber tank offers huge advantages over a "steel tank" which can weight 25 times as much for the same carrying capacity of hydrogen. The lighter weighting tank overcomes one barrier towards accepting hydrogen as the alternative fuel to oil. In 1997, transportation consumed 54% of the oil consumption, of 18.6 million barrels of oil a day. The second barrier to overcome will be too solving the refueling time lag, reducing refueling times to five minutes or less. More doubt seems to be direct at fuel cell technology. China seems down on fuel cell technology viewing the technology as too expensive for developing countries.More optimism seems to be swinging towards Internal combustible engines running hydrogen.

Important and Exciting Information
Tomorrow's Energy is a thorough discussion of a topic that is rapidly gaining importance - hydrogen. The book proposes hydrogen as the energy of the near future. It includes the history of hydrogen as a fuel, and what measures are currently being taken to produce hydrogen-powered automobiles, air and space craft, homes, and offices. Hoffmann describes in detail how hydrogen fuel is produced and used, and why hydrogen is a better choice than fossil fuels. The book discusses what must be done in order for non-polluting hydrogen to overtake fossil fuels, and the prospect of a "hydrogen community."

This book, though obviously in favor of hydrogen energy, provides a detailed and, for the most part, many sided report on hydrogen's possibilities. It has a lot of numbers but is generally easily understood by the layman, though it assumes that the reader has a basic knowledge of chemistry. Hydrogen is an interesting and exciting thing, and this book provide a good understanding of its past, present and future. Stylistically, the book is a bit dry, but has sharp and occasionally witty quotes to lighten the tone. I would recommend "Tomorrow's Energy" to anyone who wants to learn more about this promising subject, as long as the reader uses the information to form their own opinion.

Half the story
This book has a lot of useful information but the problem is not the material but the book could use an editor.The story continually jumps back and forth.When the book uses comparisons it goes from Joules to BTUs then Gallons to Liters so you never seem to compare apples to apples or the book should have had a conversion table.It's as if the author is afraid to tell the truth of how it might be a little expensive now to convert,but eventually it will be cost effective. The book also has no diagrams, or graphs that would explain fuel cells or cost effectiveness....

The author seems to shy away from nuclear power as a solution for creating hydrogen.I think it would be a great interim solution where you could put the nuclear reactor on sites off shore or in the Great Lakes so you would have a supply of water and pump all the hydrogen and electricity produced to the city.The hydrogen could be sent to fuel cell power plants and fuel stations for vehicles.Eventually from the money made from this move on to geothermal methods.

I don't want to seem down on this book because it gave me a lot of good information the best part was the different ways that they can create hydrogen. Hydropower, Wind, Solar, Photovoltaic, Biomass, Advanced Solar concepts, orbiting solar mirrors, converting thermal energy from oceans and Geothermal.The one that I left out that I thought was the coolest was the Giant Solar Chimneys.I found out that they are actually making one in Australia; I can only hope that it works. I liked the part with the solar mirrors and why they didn't work, that was kind of funny.

The book never explains why they are not doing some of these things.I guess because of the cost but it is not clear.The best and safest way would be to produce hydrogen is geothermal but the book never explains why we don't do it.

The chapter on the uses for hydrogen started out interesting but ends with a walk into the cosmos with the SETI stuff.It was parenthetical information that the author wanted us to be aware of that did not belong in this book.

This book seem like a confused mass of projects that never seemed to get off the ground and a couple that could be a solution for the future.I wish the book was organized so that the history came first and then focus in on various areas, production, types of fuel cells, different forms of hydrogen, infrastructure, present uses, future use and the road ahead and what are the possible type of plans for the future.

I wish the book could have recommended more books to read on the subject that could answer some of these questions.

I guess I was looking for more clear cut solutions.

Somehow disappointing
This book contains lots of valuable information and is certainly worth reading. But at the same time, I had expected more of it. It describes too many factual details about the history of hydrogen's use in various applications and gives too few technical information about hydrogen as a fuel. The book does not give a very thorough analysis of how a hydrogen economy could be established, how those massive quantities of hydrogen will be produced in a way that is both environment friendly and realistic, why or why not to use nuclear power to do so, etc.
Rather, it leaves a lot of open questions and does not give answers to the issues that really matter (e.g. if hydrogen is produced through reforming of traditional carbon fuels, what to do with the carbon then at the production plant).
Nevertheless, the book is certainly worth reading... I think it's one of the only serious books on hydrogen at this time. ... Read more

Product Description

This book sets out to analyze the technical situation relevant to hydrogen energy in objective fashion, free from the constraints of political and industrial loyalties. Areas covered include pathways to hydrogen production, prospects for carbon capture and storage, options for hydrogen storage on vehicles, fuel cells, and fuel cell vehicles. Each of the many facets of hydrogen energy is discussed as are the challenges to be faced. The text comes from the authors of Clean Energy.

Product Description

How long will the world's oil and gas reserves last? Which countries make the most use of alternative energy sources? How will we heat our homes and power our cars in the future? This title tells the amazing story of alternative energy, including biopower,

... Read more

Product Description

Over the past decade, important advances have been made in the development of nanostructured materials for solid state hydrogen storage used to supply hydrogen to fuel cells in a clean, inexpensive, safe and efficient manner. Nanomaterials for Solid State Hydrogen Storage focuses on hydrogen storage materials having high volumetric and gravimetric hydrogen capacities, and thus having the highest potential of being applied in the automotive sector.

Written by leading experts in the field, Nanomaterials for Solid State Hydrogen Storage provides a thorough history of hydrides and nanomaterials, followed by a discussion of existing fabrication methods. The authors’ own research results in the behavior of various hydrogen storage materials are also presented. Covering fundamentals, extensive research results and recent advances in nanomaterials for solid state hydrogen storage, this book serves as a comprehensive reference.

Product Description

This is a comprehensive overview of energy storage concepts, methodologies and applications.

Students will find chapters exploring the underlying energy storage fundamentals under various conditions, such as organic fuels, phase transitions and heat capacity, in addition to reversible chemical reactions. Important energy storage types such as mechanical, hydrogen and electromagnetic energy storage are discussed in a pedagogical language and structure accessible to students and researchers alike. Valuable coverage of various types of batteries are included, such as metal hydride / "nickel", lithium, lead-acid and primary batteries, in addition to a variety of current applications.

Product Description

• Covers the timely topic of fuel cells and hydrogen-based energy from its fundamentals to practical applications
• Serves as a resource for practicing researchers and as a text in graduate-level programs
• Tackles crucial aspects in light of the new directions in the energy industry, in particular how to integrate fuel processing into contemporary systems like nuclear and gas power plants
• Includes homework-style problems

Product Description
Hydrogen stands out as the best alternative to traditional polluting fossil fuels for many reasons-it can be produced without pollution, is nontoxic and noncorrosive, and we can never run out of it. It is as safe as or safer than the fuels we currently use and can be made virtually anywhere. The Hydrogen Age explains this promising fuel, shows how it can be harnessed to serve virtually all of our energy needs, and reveals why hydrogen is destined to become the clean, safe, renewable fuel of choice for the future. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

More AGW Scare Mongering

This book is less about the hydrogen age and more about climbing on the band wagon to promote global warming. This book doesn't take long to bring the polar bear into the picture supposedly drowning at sea, which is a falsehood created by Al Gore.Polar bears have gone from a population of 5,000 in 1950 to over 20,000 bears today with over 1,400 being killed annually by hunting.Inuit Eskimo's count polar bears and have seen a dramatic increase in recent years, so I don't think they have seen them eating each other as promoted by this book.Sigh.Go somewhere else if you want to learn about hydrogen power.

This Book Could End Global Warming
Hydrogen is THE solution to our pathological greed, planetary trespasse, and cruelty to other species.
This book shows how to get there: not in thirty years, but in a few years.
It comports with the most recent scientific accumulation of
data which argues that with national resolve we can make a profound difference.
This safe, virtually emissions free alternative to oil
can and must wean the feckless consumer off petroleum, each and every one of
us, whilst providing a future, after all,
for our grandchildren. We urge you to read this book
carefully and commend its stalwart authors on a well-balanced,
brilliant, gorgeously produced and
seductively accessible book. No other work on hydrogen
has so trenchantly brought together the up-to-the-minute data,
the chorus of informed voices,and the readable prose to transform
what was an engineering conundrum into an everyday addition to our lives. And at relatively
minor cost to the planet. Zero, by comparison with fossil fuels.

Well Rounded and Researched
It is far too common place these days to find books without any intention of providing a well-rounded and well-researched perspective to its readers.As many of us have experienced, it is far too easy to polarize over increasingly divisive issues like energy, its implications and its solutions.There are zealots on both sides of the fence using outdated and often outrageous statistics to bolster their claim for one technology or another; however, The Hydrogen Age does a good job of avoiding this trap.It is optimistic, yet realistic, providing a good sense of what is happening today and the role hydrogen technologies can/will play in our future.Remember that the "Silver Bullet" is a myth.Although there is no single solution, The Hydrogen Age provides excellent insight into one of the tools already being utilizing to meet the developing/developed future energy challenges. - Matthew Burks - President, Hydrogen Energy Center (www.hydrogenenergycenter.org)

It's an excellent pick for any who would understand the technology and applications of hydrogen
Any who would understand civilization's energy history and needs should have THE HYDROGEN AGE in their collection, whether it be for an easy college-level introduction or for the general-interest public. Here is a guide to civilization's passage from a carbon to hydrogen era, considering how such an age will foster new developments and how moving to water-based energy offers new hope and alternatives for the continued progression of civilization. It's an excellent pick for any who would understand the technology and applications of hydrogen, written in a manner any lay reader can understand.

The Hydrogen Age is Here and Now
"The Hydrogen Age" is an exciting illustration of where we are headed in our quest for energy independence. We as a society are so caught up in an environment of scarcity and limitation that we in the general public fail to literally see the "forest for the trees." This book points out there are so many alternatives to solving our energy challenges which are well within our grasp. Petroleum is a wonderfully useful commodity, but is not the be-all or end-all for our energy source. The sources pointed out in this book are unlimited and are not somewhere in the distant future, but are available here and now. We are in need of nothing but the truth and this terrific book shows us how we may accomplish our energy independence. When enough of us are determined to make a change the market place will take care of the doing, and the change will come so quickly we will all wonder why we dallied so long.

This wonderfully researched book is truly a way-shower to the future and should be a must read for the general public and especially for those who are teaching our young people. I am very proud of the authors' dedication to telling the truth about energy and illuminating the prospects for the less developed economies of the world.

I highly recommend this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Innovation, Markets and Sustainable Energy is the first attempt to explore fuel cells and hydrogen technologies by embracing a solid theoretical perspective in the field of innovation and management. Adopting a cross-sectional and international perspective, the book analyzes the implications of introducing fuel cells into the industrial system and explores the complexity of market development for new technological solutions.

This book presents an in-depth study of the hydrogen and fuel cell industry and markets, concentrating on the disruptive nature of these technologies. It examines the value chain structure and the strategies of relevant industry players, the alliances and inter-organizational learning processes, the development of new markets, and venture capital dynamics. It also provides an overview of the policies that support hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in major countries around the world.

Academics focussing on innovation management, strategy, sustainability, and energy and environmental management will warmly welcome this timely book. It will also be of great interest for the fuel cell and hydrogen practitioner community at large and in particular policymakers. ... Read more

Product Description
Our Future is Hydrogen provides evidence that we have no choice but to find an alternative to fossil fuels. The planet is running out of fossil fuels and an alternative fuel is mandatory. The burning of fossil fuels creates pollution such as carbon dioxide that contributes to global warming. If global warming continues, it will cause severe weather changes that will cause billions of dollars of damage each year.

Hydrogen provides a solution to both dilemmas. The book gives the history of hydrogen and why the auto manufacturers and oil companies realize that this will be the fuel of the future. The hydrogen infrastructure, fuel cells, safety, and practical application are also discussed along with its current status and the process on how the transition will take place. Finally, other alternative fuels are compared with hydrogen, and one can only conclude that hydrogen is the best of all the alternatives. Initially, hydrogen will be produced with the aid fossil fuels and eventually it will be produced entirely with solar means. ... Read more

Product Description
In a world faced with massive and ever-growing energy demands where the environment is an important factor, an array of new technologies and or fuels are becoming a necessity, not a choice. Hydrogen may be one of those alternatives. Hydrogen can be produced from diverse domestic feedstocks using a variety of process technologies. Hydrogen-containing compounds such as, fossil fuels, biomass or even water can be a source of hydrogen. Thermochemical processes can be used to produce hydrogen from biomass and from fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and petroleum. Power generated from sunlight, wind and nuclear sources can be used to produce hydrogen electrolytically. Sunlight alone can also drive photolytic production of hydrogen from water, using advanced photoelectrochemical and photobiological processes. ... Read more

Product Description

This book presents the current state of the hydrogen economy with the focus on applications in the automotive technology and industry - Where are we in the implementation of hydrogen economy? What are the perspectives? Which are the directions to develop this field? This book answers these questions by compiling reviews from internationally recognized researchers on the following subjects:

- Hydrogen cycle
- State of the art of mobile applications
- State of the art of portable applications
- Advanced tools for the development of new materials
- Perspectives

Product Description

A solution to the climate and energy crisis
The reversible fuel cell (RFC) described in this volume stores solar energy and thereby makes it continuously available. This can make the building of energy-free homes and all electric transportation a reality. The foldout drawing at the back of this book also describes the detailed design of the world’s first 1,000 megawatt solar-hydrogen power plant.

How is this possible?
Our planet receives more solar energy in an hour than humans use in a year. In fact, 5% of the Sahara could meet the total energy requirement of mankind. This energy can then be stored and transported in the form of hydrogen.

Converting from an exhaustible energy economy to a clean, free, and inexhaustible one
In this timely book, author Béla Lipták explains why a solar-hydrogen economy is technically feasible and cost-effective. He first outlines existing conservation technologies and renewable energy processes as well as evolving technologies, such as energy-free homes, roof shingle solar collectors, and RFCs. He goes on to discuss energy optimization techniques that could reduce the global energy consumption by one third and finally presents the detailed design of a full size solar-hydrogen power plant.

It is time to harness the power of solar energy
With global energy consumption quadrupling in the last fifty years and atmospheric carbon dioxide reaching the highest level ever recorded, now is the time to prevent further damage to the planet and ensure the survival of human civilization. It is debatable how much time we have before our fossil and uranium deposits are exhausted. It is also debatable how much climate change we can live with or how much of our economic resources should be devoted to stabilizing and reversing mankind’s growing carbon footprint. What is not debatable is that our resources are exhaustible and that we must not give reason for our grandchildren to ask, "Why did you not act in time?".