The real technical problem with hydrogen isn't the generation but the storage, transport, and distribution. You can always pick a desert, put up lots of solar cells, and pump water there for conversion. Probably it would be a lot more environmentally friendly than pumping oil.
Hydrogen storage technology has been making some interesting strides. Sodium Borohydrate (related to Borax; i.e. soap) stores hydrogen densely and safely but releases it from water and the hydrated mineral in the presence of a catalyst. This technology is being developed by Millenium Cell (http://www.millenniumcell.com/). It has near the energy density of gasoline, non-toxic, and the end product can be recycled. The demo movie is very cool. They have also demonstrated their technology in combination with the new cells from Ballard.
As large energy interests don't see a need (i.e. large profit) for converting to hydrogen it won't happen until circumstances change. This could be due to government intervention, a massive shortfall in oil supplies, or the gradual development of a large enough deployed consumption base to justify serving it.
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The real technical problem with hydrogen isn't the generation but the storage, transport, and distribution. You can always pick a desert, put up lots of solar cells, and pump water there for conversion. Probably it would be a lot more environmentally friendly than pumping oil.
Hydrogen storage technology has been making some interesting strides. Sodium Borohydrate (related to Borax; i.e. soap) stores hydrogen densely and safely but releases it from water and the hydrated mineral in the presence of a catalyst. This technology is being developed by Millenium Cell (http://www.millenniumcell.com/). It has near the energy density of gasoline, non-toxic, and the end product can be recycled. The demo movie is very cool. They have also demonstrated their technology in combination with the new cells from Ballard.
As large energy interests don't see a need (i.e. large profit) for converting to hydrogen it won't happen until circumstances change. This could be due to government intervention, a massive shortfall in oil supplies, or the gradual development of a large enough deployed consumption base to justify serving it.