Alternative power source creeping up on us and no one is

[HysteryDiagnosis]

aware just how serious Honda is about making this work.

http://www.fuelcellmarkets.com/article_default_view.fcm?articleid=12235&subsite=656
PLUG POWER ANNOUNCES NEW AGREEMENTS WITH HONDA FOR NEXT PHASE OF HOME ENERGY STATION AND R&D COLLABORATION

LATHAM, N.Y. – March 16, 2006 – Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG), a leader in providing clean, reliable on-site energy, today announced two new agreements with Honda R&D Company, Ltd. of Japan to continue expanding the companies’ collaborative efforts.

The first of the new agreements covers the fourth consecutive phase of joint development of the Home Energy Station. The Home Energy Station is a fuel cell system that provides electricity and heat to a home or business, while also providing hydrogen fuel for a fuel cell vehicle. The companies completed the previous phase in November 2005 with the successful commissioning of the third-generation Home Energy Station at Honda R&D Americas’ facility in Torrance, Calif. This third-generation system is 30 percent smaller in size than its predecessor, with 25 percent more power output, more hydrogen storage capacity, higher efficiency and significantly faster startup time. The continued phase-over-phase improvement trend is expected to continue with Phase 4. Under this new agreement, Honda R&D will continue to fund Plug Power’s work on the Home Energy Station.

The second new agreement is focused on fundamental research and development work that Plug Power is conducting under funding from Honda. This agreement is focused on the advancement of technology for future Home Energy Stations, as well as more generalized applications, which are expected to benefit other Plug Power products. The system is expected to be more environmentally friendly than traditional energy devices due to its higher efficiency and lower emissions.

“We are excited to announce the completion of these contracts and the achievement of our public milestone related to our continuing relationship with Honda,” said Mark Sperry, Plug Power Chief Marketing Officer. “We are honored to be working with Honda on such important initiatives and look forward to the benefits of our ongoing and growing collaboration.”

[stepnw1f]

1. Yes, Yes, Yes

And why oh why couldn't we Americans come up with this effort ourselves.

We really need to get rid of the GOP fuckers. They are holding us back for PROGRESS.

[nini]

2. I don't live too far from the Honda headquarters.

this is awesome news. I didn't know they were doing R&D in there!

Now, let's see what the oil companies do to slow them up!

[tridim]

6. It was very smart of them to make the news public

Now the oil/coal/nuclear companies can't do squat to stop it.

[Redstone]

3. Now, that's a helluva an idea. Fuel cells throw off a LOT of heat, and

harnessing that is a big step.

I like it.

Redstone

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

4. This Is Extremely Fascinating and Encouraging. Shame On Me Though For

having not yet heard of them. When I have time later I'm going to try and read up on this a bit more.

Thanks!

[gristy]

5. That press release is sorely lacking in details

My guess is that they are describing a system of solar panels for generating electricity, and a means of converting that electricity (or electricity off the grid) to hydrogen so that it can be stored (in a fuel cell, which is Plug Power's supposed expertise) for use in heating (say, at night), or in a car. But it's only a guess.

It's not a power "source", alternative or otherwise.

[NeoGreen]

7. Big Question:

Where does the hydrogen come from?

Methane? Coal? Dehydrolized water which takes an immense amount of pre-existing energy from a coal fire power plant? Hydrogen fairies who magically appear to wipe our Peak Oil and Global Warming fears away.

Reminds me of Robin Williams as Mork from Orc and his alarm when he found out humans didn't have "Nuke Away" to clean up the waste from nuclear power plants.

Sorry, for the skeptical questions for this all too rosey picture.

[ContraBass Black]

8. That's always the caveat with hydrogen.

[FogerRox]

9. Uuuuuuuuuuumm

Solar cells on roof> electricity>

Electricity + water = H2 , O2.

[originalpckelly]

10. It uses natural gas?

We aren't to much better off with that. I think that simply from a strategic advantage, this product could remove the need for foreign oil, but it doesn't remove the need for foreign natural gas.

[PFunk]

11. Nice Honda...

If it uses water to crack the Hydrogen from then better. Though it's probally the hardest liquid to get it from at our tech.

Still Big oil will probally see this as a threat which is why I hope they get this done in another country more friendly to this first.