[Vicsun]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragon wench ...At least until the time that fuel cell technology becomes a feasible alternative. Fuel cell technology, for anybody who does not know, is really cool. I don't know the scientific details, but basically energy from any source (including solar, wind and agricultural waste) can be stored in the fuel cell..

...which makes it not all that different than a conventional battery.

Basic science behind fuel cells: A fuel cell works by combining hydrogen and oxygen to form water. The chemical reaction releases energy. Oxygen can be easily obtained from air. Hydrogen has to be obtained from water. So, you basically have to convert water to hydrogen to water again. Due to laws of entropy and such energy is lost in the conversions.
Fuel cells aren't an energy source, they're merely an alternative method of storing energy. Electricity has to be used to separate the water and hydrogen in the first place. And because of losses you'll have to put more electrical energy into it than you'll get out of it.

The energy stored in the fuel cell depends on how the electricity used in extracting hydrogen is produced. As most of it is produced by coal and oil, fuel cell energy is mostly energy produced by coal and oil. Which doesn't make it clean, or a solution to depleting fossil fuels.

Sorry for the fragmentation of my post; I haven't slept for too long.



edit: a much more indepth explanation can be found at HowStuffWorks, for anyone who has the attention span to learn something new.