Scenario for the Hydrogen Economy: In the "Hydrogen Economy" hydrogen will be produced from sea water using electrolysis. Using the direct current from the rectenna the water will be broken down into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen will be piped to users who can use it the same as natural gas or to fuel cells. The oxygen can be either sold as a by-product or vented to the atmosphere. At the point of use the hydrogen will combine with oxygen in the air and produce water vapor which is naturally recycled. TABLE 2 - Cost of electrolytic hydrogen produced from terrestrial photovoltaics in 1990 S Hydrogen is a favorite contender for the fuel of tomorrow. It also offers the prospect of being the bridge from the age of fossil fuels to energy from space. The next subsection describes how this bridge might be built. North Africa Solar Hydrogen Farms Solar hydrogen systems for Algeria, Libya, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia have been studied by researchers from those countries. A point to note is that even if the majority of the world refuses to recognize the finite limits of liquid fossil fuels the governments of Libya and Saudi Arabia have recognized it and have taken actions to study alternatives. A solar-hydrogen energy system model for Libya was developed by Libyan researchers. The model predicted that the fossil fuel resources in Libya could be exhausted within three to four decades. However by adopting a solar-hydrogen energy system the availability of fossil fuel resources would be extended and that Libya could become an exporter of hydrogen and synthetic fuels in lieu of oil and natural gas. Other researchers at the Centre for Solar Energy Studies, Tripoli have developed concepts for a solar-hydrogen energy farm. It is proposed to cover the southern parts of the country with photovoltaics to provide daytime electric energy needs of the county and to electrolyze water to produce hydrogen to provide the rest of the energy needs. The hydrogen would be used in fuel cells to generate electricity during the night and cloudy days, as well as providing energy for transportation, industrial, commercial and residential sectors. The area under the photovoltaic panels would be partly shaded, which would provide a suitable environment for growing some cash crops. Sea water would be desalinated to provide fresh water for domestic, industrial and irrigation needs.
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