Hydrogen can be extracted from fossil fuels and biomass, from water, or from a mix of both. But once it has been separated, hydrogen is an extremely clean energy carrier. Although hydrogen is the simplest element and most plentiful gas in the universe, it never occurs by itself but is always combined with other elements such as oxygen and carbon.

As an energy carrier, it could increase our energy diversity and security by reducing our dependence on hydrocarbon-based fuels. Hydrogen is a sustainable, non-polluting source of power that could be used in mobile and stationary applications. Hydrogen is not a primary energy source, but it can be viewed as a means of exchange for getting energy to where it is needed, much like electricity. The hydrogen atoms are bound together in molecules with other elements, and it takes energy to extract the hydrogen so it can be used for combustion or fuel cells. But unlike oil, large reservoirs of hydrogen are not to be found on earth. The sun consumes 600 million tons of it each second. Hydrogen is abundant, being the most common element in the universe.

Alternative fuels for ic engines