hydrogen from fossil fuels could be much more environmentally friendly
than burning the fossil fuels as they are currently burned. So, one plan
could be to begin slowly converting over to a hydrogen-based economy.
The first step would be to use fossil fuels for the production of hydrogen.
We would then use a renewable source of energy, like biomass, to yield
hydrogen. Ultimately, we would develop ways to cost-effectively yield
hydrogen from water. Do not bet on this happening any time soon. Fossil
fuels are still plentiful, and their associated environmental concerns have
not yet gained enough prominence to influence society on a large-scale
basis. Other nontechnical issues, such as tax credits, money allocated for
research, and advantageous legislation, could help to spur the develop-
ment of hydrogen as a major energy source for the future.
Renewable and Inexhaustible Energy Sources 117
Ventilation
ducts
Warm water
inlet
Forward
cold
water
exhausts
Ballast
tanks
Gate
valves
Cold water
plenum
chamber
Cold water pipe
Warm water
exhausts
Aft cold
water exhausts
Condenser
Turbine
Generator
Cold water pipe
Ventilation
ducts
Ammonia tank
Deck house
Separators
Warm water pipe
Evaporator
Figure 5-A. A cutaway view of an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plant. The
floating plant uses volatile fluids to generate electricity by taking advantage of the tempera-
ture difference between water at and below the surface. Such differences are most
pronounced in tropical areas. (Lockheed Missiles and Space Company, Inc.)