Hydrogen: The Future We’ve Been Waiting For? Or Just Another Energy Fad?

Hey, Oddly Robbie readers!

So, I’ve been thinking about hydrogen lately—yes, hydrogen. You know, the stuff that powers the sun and can fuel our homes, cars, and maybe even our kitchens. A few years ago, I was betting that hydrogen would be mainstream by now. I mean, I saw a house powered entirely by hydrogen, where cooking left a trail of water vapor, which even helped keep the air moist. Fancy, huh? Heating, cooking, and zero carbon emissions—it seamed like we were stepping into the future.

But why hasn’t it taken over yet?

Well, here’s the thing: hydrogen isn’t the problem—it’s the infrastructure and costs that have held it back. For years, most of our hydrogen came from natural gas, which still creates CO₂ emissions, making it less green than we’d hoped. But things are changing! We’ve got new hydrogen production technologies, like AEM electrolyzers, that are pushing hydrogen back into the spotlight, and governments are pouring money into hydrogen projects [oai_citation:3,Hygreen Energy Launches New AEM Electrolyzer Systems, Delivery Begins September 2024 - Hydrogen Central](https://hydrogen-central.com/hygreen-energy-launches-new-aem-electrolyzer-systems-delivery-september-2024/).

My First Hydrogen Car Kit: A Look Back

Now, let’s rewind a bit. About 20 years ago, I got my hands on a hydrogen toy car kit. It was a crude but exciting experiment that powered a tiny car using a hydrogen fuel cell. I split water into hydrogen and oxygen using electrolysis, and while my little car wasn’t going to win any races, it worked! The process fascinated me—creating energy from water felt like magic. That small-scale experiment was a glimpse into the future, and even back then, I imagined a world powered by hydrogen.

In fact, I still dream about owning a hydrogen moped one day. Just imagine zipping around town, powered by nothing but water and electricity, leaving behind nothing but a trail of water vapor. No exhaust fumes, no noise pollution—just clean energy on two wheels.

Big Oil’s Hydrogen Hustle: A Move or a Monopoly?

Fast forward to today, and we’ve got oil companies wanting to mass-produce hydrogen and send it through old oil pipelines. Smart move, right? But here’s the thing: do we really want hydrogen to become another monopoly? We could easily decentralize hydrogen production, using local renewable resources like solar, wind, and geothermal energy. That way, communities can be energy-independent instead of relying on big corporations [oai_citation:2,The Hydrogen Stream: US government offers $62 million for hydrogen tech – pv magazine International](https://www.pv-magazine.com/2024/09/03/the-hydrogen-stream-us-government-offers-62-million-for-hydrogen-tech/) [oai_citation:1,GM Plans Hydrogen Fuel Cell Plant in Detroit](https://fuelcellsworks.com/2024/09/26/fuel-cells/gm-and-supplier-planning-hydrogen-fuel-cell-plant-in-detroit).

The Hidden Power of Thermal Energy

Speaking of independence, we’re not just talking about hydrogen from solar and wind. Geothermal energy is another untapped resource that can make hydrogen production even more efficient. High-temperature electrolysis can use geothermal heat to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, making the whole process more sustainable. Places like Iceland are already tapping into this geothermal goldmine. Why not use it to produce hydrogen too?

Why Bet on Just One Horse? Let’s Diversify!

Here’s the kicker: we don’t need to put all our chips on hydrogen alone. The future of energy needs to be as diverse as a well-planned garden—hydrogen, geothermal, solar, wind—each energy source playing a part. Why rely on big oil companies to control hydrogen when we can decentralize and produce it locally?

Whether it’s hydrogen generated by solar power in desert regions or geothermal-driven hydrogen in volcanic areas, there’s room for everyone in this new energy game.

My Hydrogen Moped Dream

And speaking of dreams, I can’t help but think back to that little hydrogen-powered car I built 20 years ago. Today, my dream is much bigger—a hydrogen-powered moped! Imagine cruising down the street, powered by the cleanest energy possible, without a care in the world. It’s not just about going green; it’s about feeling free, knowing your ride is part of the solution, not the problem.

The truth is, hydrogen is waiting for its moment, and with better production methods and a decentralized approach, we might just see it become the clean energy champion we’ve always hoped for. Until then, I’ll keep dreaming of my hydrogen moped—and maybe, just maybe, it’ll be reality soon.

Until next time, stay quirky, stay green, and as always, stay Oddly Robbie.