Posted on: Monday, October 7, 2002

HAWAI'I'S ENVIRONMENT
Author sees hydrogen on horizon

It's difficult to overemphasize the importance of oil to modern society — throughout the world and in Hawai'i, too.

Economist and environmental activist Jeremy Rifkin, in his new book, "The Hydrogen Economy," (Penguin Putnam, $24.95) makes the point:

"Remove fossil fuels from the human equation and modern industrial civilization would cease to exist. We ... power our transportation with fossil fuels, light our cities and communicate over distances with electricity derived from fossil fuels, grow our food with the help of fossil fuels, construct our buildings with materials made from fossil fuels, treat sickness with pharmaceuticals made from fossil fuel derivatives, store our surpluses with plastic containers and packaging made from fossil fuels ..."

In the Islands, where we have no sources of fossil fuels, we are particularly at risk of a decline in fossil fuel production or a rise in its cost. And although wind, waves, solar photovoltaics and geothermal could make up some of the loss for some uses — notably electricity — they don't produce jet fuel, car tires or plastics.

Rifkin cites oil industry experts and others who suggest that a decline in oil, natural gas and coal could begin in a generation or so — during the 2020s. Whether it happens then, or sooner, or later, weaning modern society off oil is sure to be disruptive.

Rifkin has been criticized for his sometimes alarmist writings: He's against genetic engineering and wants to reduce beef consumption because it promotes global warming. But in this book, he envisions a new world and new energy — hydrogen.

It can be used in fuel cells, can power cars and even planes, and can be burned in generators to make electricity.

The trouble is one of the best ways to produce hydrogen is also expensive, and requires electricity. Other, cheaper ways, such as stripping the hydrogen from natural gas or coal, also exist, but Hawai'i lacks either resource, leaving us with the simplest — electrolysis, which uses electric current to separate the hydrogen and oxygen in water.

Where do we get the power to make hydrogen?

Honolulu inventor Leroy Seefeld suggests building super-safe nuclear reactors. In part, his plan is to build them underground, where they are safe from terrorist attacks and prevent leaking radiation.

Rifkin suggests renewable electricity sources such as wind and solar could be used to create the hydrogen. He concedes that the costs of some of these technologies must come down dramatically to make them workable — or rising oil costs could make them competitive.

Rifkin's message is that hydrogen may not be the fuel of choice yet, but surely will be.

Jan TenBruggencate is The Advertiser's Kaua'i bureau chief and its science and environment writer. Reach him at (808) 245-3074 or jant@honoluluadvertiser.com.