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The big problem is that, unlike oil, coal, wood or natural gas, you won't find large stores of hydrogen under the ground just waiting to be tapped and used for a net energy gain. Right now, if we want to make hydrogen, we have to either crack complex hydrocarbons (like oil) or invest more energy than we'll recover in the process of electrolysis.

However, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon...

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In our search for a clean, green energy source, scientists have found that it's the green that's important. Indeed, they're now feverishly working on using carefully chosen algae to perform photosynthesis and excrete hydrogen as a byproduct.

Regular photosynthesizing cells normally use sunlight to convert atmospheric CO2 and hydrogen (from water) into sugars, releasing oxygen as a byproduct -- but our clever biologists have already found some cells that will spit hydrogen out instead.

The plan is to create large algae farms that, powered by the sun, would convert water and CO2 into an almost limitless supply of hydrogen gas that could then be compressed into cylinders or bound to metals in the form of a hydride for transport purposes.

Right now you can hear the greenies amongst us jumping for joy can't you?

Well bad news greenies -- there's a problem.

The hydrogen yield of these photosynthetic organisms is still about 100-fold short of that required to make the whole process commercially viable and it would appear that the most likely way to get the much-needed improvement is to genetically engineer the organisms involved.

What a dilemma for those who want to protect the planet eh?

Switching to hydrogen could significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse and other polluting gasses we belch into the atmosphere -- but it might require us to commit another equally evil act to achieve this carbon-free status.

This situation kind of turns the tables a bit on the greenies doesn't it?

Instead of them telling us what to do (cut fuel use, save the trees/whales/whatever, etc), now we can now put them in the hotseat and ask: Global warming or genetically modified algae?

Will this stress be all to much for the hard-core vegie-munching, tree-hugging, sandal-wearing, dreadlocked greenie? Will they grab a tub of organic tofu, a spare hemp shirt and head for the hills?

What would your call be on this difficult decision?

And in other news -- I see that IndraNet (a company I've always claimed is a real lame duck) is trying to raise even more capital by the clever move of starting a whole new company. Many of those who ignored my warnings and invested in the company anyway seem to be unwilling to plump up more dosh and some have even taken legal action to try and recover what they've already put in.

As linked below, Juha Saarinen has done a great job of scrutinizing that "independent" broadband survey I mentioned on Friday. As we figured -- it's just a bunch of biased spin and must surely have put a huge dent in the reputation of Azimuth who shall from this point on be known as tech-whores. I suspect however, that their willingness to "bend the facts" for a quick dollar will win them much new business from those who want their own set of "independent" reports to back their lobbying or causes.

Tell us all and see what others have to say in The Aardvark Forums

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