Will fuel cell technology, help free both us and the environment

[HysteryDiagnosis]

from where we are presently headed???

http://news.morningstar.com/news/BW/M07/D11/20050711005255.html

FuelCell Energy and Enbridge Inc. Enter into Development and Distribution Agreement for New 'Ultra-Clean' Hybrid Power Plant



07-11-05 09:00 AM EST | CALGARY, Alberta & DANBURY, Conn. --(BUSINESS WIRE)--

FuelCell Energy, Inc. (NasdaqNM:FCEL)
-- Direct FuelCell Energy Recovery Generation(TM) (DFC-ERG(TM)) megawatt-class product targeted for natural gas pipeline applications for the U.S. and Canada

-- Distribution Agreement for DFC Products Expanded to Include the U.S. and Canada

Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB; TSX:ENB), a leader in energy transportation and distribution in North America and internationally, and FuelCell Energy, Inc. (NasdaqNM:FCEL), a leading manufacturer of ultra-clean electric power generation plants for commercial and industrial customers, announced they have entered into an exclusive product development and distribution agreement for a new multi-megawatt product, the Direct FuelCell - Energy Recovery Generation(TM) (DFC-ERG(TM)), specifically designed for natural gas pipeline applications in the U.S. and Canada.

[sam sarrha]

1. it is impossable to say Hydrogen fuel and leave out Nuclear power plants

they go hand in hand,...

Natural gas is right now is a sham...

why do you think the Cold war was faked..?? To create a national securuty situation for a nondebatable reason to make tons of plutonium and other nuclear fuel to stockpile till the "OIL PEAK" created a situation where we would be forced to build Nuclear power plants for Fascist Corporations at taxpayers expence, and get charged up the WaZOO for the fuel we already paid for with our taxes on another fake Fascist LIE>

[necso]

2. A big issue with fuel cells is

what you use as fuel, and how you produce (/distribute) this fuel.

Various systems can be used to extend the use of various non-replenishables, while keeping something like the present system (and keeping, more or less, the present controlling interests), but sooner or later one must look to using sustainable energy sources (like the sun (directly or indirectly), wind, etc).

The extent to which industry and government can be trusted to protect our interests in this area can be seen in the (near) absence of electric cars, and this at a time when battery technology is getting better and cheaper. (Which technology has crossover utility with solar and other transient energy sources.)

[HysteryDiagnosis]

3. We need to use the sun's energy and the wind to crack water....

that would be a great start.

[necso]

4. I favor a closed-cycle system

using sustainable energy sources to produce the hydrogen from water.

But I also like distributed, modest-scale energy production (solar, wind). This puts production in the hands of (many) users and places modest requirements on the distribution network.

For solar, however, this means improved (as-used) technology and lowered production costs. And it means installing solar panels for optimal production and not for appearances or convenience.

In any event, a mix of solutions is probably the answer, with conservation (including efficiency improvements) playing a large role.

And owners' experiences with electric cars are not as bad as some people make these out to be... or so I have read.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

5. I have been seeing the new led flashlights... with an acceptable

level of light for close use... claiming in some instances 1500 hours of use on a set of batteries... now why can't these same leds run off of a transformer driven low voltage system in a house? They produce virtually no wasted heat. The flashlight that you "shake" looks interesting as well.....

[necso]

6. I have an LED flashlight,

and it gets superior life out of my (rechargeable NiMH) batteries, but it has 15 LEDs (making it last several times longer than would be the case with conventional bulbs, but nothing like some claims made) and it still isn't as bright as other flashlights that I use. And its distance performance isn't as good. But I like the light and it makes a nice reading "lamp". Prices are also still pretty high.

Compact fluorescents are a good choice for home use. And being a thrifty shopper, I have made out financially on their use.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

7. Coming down though... does yours have the 3-6-9 option??

[necso]

8. Nope,

I had a lantern (briefly -- I returned it) which had that feature. I developed little liking for it. Me, I need reasonably bright light. Besides, there was a pronounced directionality to the light; directly in front of the LEDs, it was pretty bright, but between them the lantern light faded to (near) uselessness. The overall effect was also unpleasant (rather "liney"), and a fluorescent lantern is superior, although it would not last as long on batteries.

The 15 LED flashlight that I have qualifies as a useful flashlight (and my favorite), but using many fewer bulbs (than 15) would require better eyes than mine. The lantern setup, with lines of LEDs vertically at the four "nineties" (as opposed to one big cluster), I just hated.

Prices do seem to be getting better, but LED light is maybe not for everyone -- and it does take a little getting used to.