Companies Should Invest in Hydrogen Fuel Cell

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Companies Should Invest in the Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Good afternoon. You and I have both felt the abnormally mighty shamal winds and

sandstorms that have been blowing energetically against the sand dunes of the Arabian desert

over the past few weeks. Places like Iraq and Kuwait were helplessly buried under an

atmospheric blanket of orange sand the last few weekends. Places like India, Bangladesh, and the

Philippines continue to experience a variety of extreme weather events. Places like the polar ice

caps have been losing their ice at dangerous levels; we have lost 95% of the oldest and thickest

ice in these areas, according to the World Wildlife Fund. And now I’m not sure if you have the

time to take a second and reflect on your fossil fuel-dependent business choices, because after

all, making a few billion dollars is more important than preventing our children from being born

into a climate apocalypse, right? All companies in the energy sector and beyond depend heavily

on fossil fuels, which has empowered this global climate crisis. Investors, lawmakers, energy

leaders, and the general public, I am pleased to let you know there is an alternative that is

unjustifiably being ignored. That is, the hydrogen fuel cell! The hydrogen fuel cell is a much

needed technology that companies should actively be investing in because they offer (a) a

pollution-free and efficient alternative, (b) aid in the political stability amidst the energy

transition for oil-dependent nations, and (c) open up diverse employment opportunities for the

average citizen.

A hydrogen fuel cell works by creating a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen atoms,

which results in the production of water, heat, and electricity. This electricity and heat are both

forms of energy that have numerous uses. The fuel cell does not release greenhouse gasses.

Electric vehicles that run on hydrogen fuel cells literally emit water vapor. According to the US
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Department of Energy, a hydrogen cell connected to a motor can be up to 3 times more efficient

than a typical engine running on gasoline. When you think of that on a large scale, we are talking

about a very positive impact on the environment. In almost all cases published by the Department

of Energy, greenhouse gas emissions from the entire system of producing and transporting the

hydrogen is still much lower than with gasoline vehicles in the long term. Now, when people

think of hydrogen fuel, one of the first names that comes to mind is Elon Musk. That’s because

Elon Musk has been a huge opponent of hydrogen fuel, infamously dismissing hydrogen fuel

cells and hydrogen fool sells. Like Brutus, I’m sure Elon Musk is an honorable man. Yet experts

have released several reports suggesting that hydrogen cars will become the biggest competitor

of Tesla’s vehicles, and for Tesla to go from its current battery-powered manufacturing to

hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing is tough. I mean imagine having to wait hours to recharge your

Tesla; it's far, far, far less efficient than using hydrogen fuel cells. That’s probably made Elon

Musk a bit salty there, thus why he’s using his fame to create a baseless narrative. Indeed, a far

more experienced automobile company, Toyota, has released its hydrogen-powered vehicle, the

Toyota Mirai. Contrary to claims that hydrogen fuel cells are dangerous, inefficient, and prone to

explosions, European authorities have granted the Toyota Mirai the highest safety rating and this

vehicle is a leader in energy conservation. Many high-profile figures like Serena Wiliams and

astronaut Buzz Aldrin have personally driven these vehicles, and many continue to voice support

for these cars.

However, such an energy transition to hydrogen would be devastating for oil-dependent

governments. I mean, without oil powering vehicles, economies would lose their foundations.

Political turmoil could erupt over fiscal instability in many parts of the oil-producing world,

right? Not exactly. Hydrogen really helps in bridging the gap between the oil-dependent past and
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the sustainable future. Most of the world’s hydrogen today is produced from natural gas and

fossil fuels, but in the long term, because hydrogen is so efficient, the effect on the environment

is more minimal than with traditional energy uses. This means that fossil fuels won’t fully be out

of demand, but also won’t be doing the same level of damage. More funds directed towards

developing hydrogen fuel cells and researching their sources will eventually create a transition

towards sustainable hydrogen production, but also give enough time for the world to recover

from petroleum dependence.

Okay, now if you’re still not convinced of the potential of hydrogen fuel, then you must

be worrying about the mass unemployment that could occur. Here’s the good news. The

hydrogen transition opens up several employment opportunities for those already in the oil and

gas industry. Why? Because the oil and gas industry and the hydrogen field both have common

roots. You still need geologists, process engineers, chemicals specialists–everyone from the oil

and gas industry would contribute to the hydrogen economy. Hydrogen processing from natural

gas is a new research field in and of itself, and there really is no harm to the employment

industry.

Ladies and gentlemen, I urge you to invest in and help develop a hydrogen-empowered

future where we have a sustainable energy alternative, a politically stable economic transition,

and a job industry that supports the people around us. There are only two choices. Make a small

investment, and pioneer a prodigious change. Or – take no action and make our world strange.

Thank you.

Works Cited
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Bezdek, Roger H. “The Hydrogen Economy and Jobs of the Future.” Renewable Energy and

Environmental Sustainability, vol. 4, 2019, p. 1., https://doi.org/10.1051/rees/2018005.

D'Allegro, Joe. “Elon Musk Says the Tech Is 'Mind-Bogglingly Stupid,' but Hydrogen Cars May

Yet Threaten Tesla.” CNBC, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2019,

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/21/musk-calls-hydrogen-fuel-cells-stupid-but-tech-may-t

hreaten-tesla.html.

Dolan, Connor. “How Hydrogen Fuel Cells Are Impacting the Entertainment Industry through

Sustainability and Innovation.” Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association, Fuel Cell &

Hydrogen Energy Association, 8 June 2020,

https://www.fchea.org/in-transition/2020/6/8/how-hydrogen-fuel-cells-are-impacting-the-

entertainment-industry-through-sustainability-and-innovation.

“Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Emissions.” Alternative Fuels Data Center: Fuel Cell Electric

Vehicle Emissions, https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/emissions_hydrogen.html.

“How Will Hydrogen Create Jobs?” CLIMATE CH2AMPION,

https://www.climatech2ampion.org/pocket-guides/how-will-hydrogen-create-jobs/.

“Hydrogen Basics.” Alternative Fuels Data Center: Hydrogen Basics,

https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/hydrogen_basics.html.

Palmer, Ian. “Is Elon Musk Right or Wrong to Dismiss Hydrogen Use for Low-Carbon Energy

Storage?” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 16 May 2022,

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ianpalmer/2022/05/15/is-elon-musk-right-or-wrong-to-dism

iss-hydrogen-as-a-storage-for-energy/?sh=5c2b10de3ac7.
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Rich, Gillian. “A Clean-Energy Technology Elon Musk Hates May Be near a Big

Breakthrough.” Investor's Business Daily, 26 Apr. 2021,

https://www.investors.com/news/fuel-cell-stocks-and-hydrogen-power-may-be-near-a-big

-breakthrough/.

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