I have been thinking about electric cars, Tesla, and Elon Musk. I am glad we now have lithium battery technology, though we have gone overboard already. Lithium is reclaimable, though a scarce element, nonetheless. The U.S. accounts for only four percent of the world's lithium resource, and China has a corner on battery production. Australia is the primary source of minable lithium, with eighty percent.
I have known for years that Japan is interested in hydrogen power. Then, today, I searched to discover that Aramco is all over it. Who is Aramco?
The Saudi government controls Aramco.
"In 1973, the Saudi government bought a 25% interest in Aramco, increasing that interest to 60% the following year. In 1980, the Saudi government increased its stake in Aramco to 100%.
"We are one of the world's largest integrated energy and chemicals companies, creating value across the hydrocarbon chain and delivering societal and economic benefits to people and communities around the globe who rely on the vital energy we supply." Aramco
Aramco shipping fleet. http://agenciapinocho.com/tell-me/aramco-shipping-fleet
As an American, I am uncomfortable with the emerging specter in which Aramco controls our future. Nor do I accept billionaire capitalists controlling it either, nor authoritarian dictators.
Once again, I see the United States is asleep at the wheel.
"China is the largest producer of hydrogen today, at about 25 million tons (Mt), or roughly a quarter of the global total. Most of the volume is produced from fossil fuels (60 percent from coal and 25 percent from natural gas) as feedstocks in refineries or chemical facilities."
China’s Hydrogen Industrial Strategy | Center for Strategic and .... https://www.csis.org/analysis/chinas-hydrogen-industrial-strategy
General Motors is doing something.
"GM will produce HYDROTEC fuel cell systems using globally sourced parts at its Fuel Cell Systems Manufacturing joint venture with Honda in Brownstown, Michigan. Renewable Innovations will produce the trailer-based MPG and the larger, modular EMPOWER rapid charger at their facilities in the Salt Lake City metro area."
https://news.gm.com/newsroom.detail.html/Pages/news/us/en/2022/jan/0119-hydrotec.html#:~:text=GM%20will%20produce%20HYDROTEC%20fuel,Salt%20Lake%20City%20metro%20area.
"Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) is working with Ford Motor Company on a demonstration project to reduce commercial fleet emissions by developing a F-550 Super Duty Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Truck. This collaboration is part of the US Department of Energy's (DOE) SuperTruck 3 program, which aims to reduce emissions significantly in medium- and heavy-duty trucks."
https://www.greencarcongress.com/2022/08/20220816-socalgas.html#:~:text=16%20August%202022&text=(SoCalGas)%20is%20working%20with%20Ford,Hydrogen%20Fuel%20Cell%20Electric%20Truck.
The best the U.S. Department of Energy has is a draft.
Legislative Language This draft report responds to the legislative language set forth in section 40314 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, specifically that which amends Title VIII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT-2005) by adding Section 814 - National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap. Section 814 states:
https://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/pdfs/clean-hydrogen-strategy-roadmap.pdf
While U.S. citizens are flailing away with half the nation tearing up the Democratic Republic, our Congress is stuck in the mud without a viable way forward.
The Saudis and Chinese will eat our lunch.
