Obtained in this manner, hydrogen is, in theory, limitless. Fossil fuels are finite. Pure hydrogen has none of the toxic emissions such as sulfur, or oxides of carbon and nitrogen, linked to fossil fuels . Production of hydrogen itself remains challenge. Because pure hydrogen must be derived from other sources, obtaining it requires energy and can have environmental impacts.
Reformers processing natural gas, for example, tend to produce carbon dioxide.
The hydrogen could ultimately be used to generate electricity and heat, returning water to the process. Nevertheless, rapid developments in fuel cell technology, as well as a range of other innovations, strongly suggest that watershed changes are underway in the production and use of energy. References Back to Top 1. US Dept of Energy, Hydrogen Information Network 2000. The Hydrogen Solution.