• Soon, hydrogen fuel cells may end the days of high-priced gasoline.fuel pump image by DebbieO from Fotolia.com
  
  Hydrogen fuel cells offer humanity one of the first chances to be free from the need to burn fossil fuels for energy. At this point, technology does not offer a solution to mass produce and store enough hydrogen for global energy demands. Still, with being the most common element in the known universe, hydrogen is available in an unlimited number of sources. It seems that availability isn't the problem, but that lack of a manufacturing infrastructure instead.
  
  

Hydrogen in Nature

• Distribution of hydrogen for power is key.fuel storage depot image by Paula Gent from Fotolia.com
  
  Using a process known as "reforming," technicians extract hydrogen from any type of biomass, or even pure water. Hydrogen, in one sort or another, is combined and bound to everything on Earth. So, the question is not, "Where do we find hydrogen?" It is everywhere. The problem for humanity is to make hydrogen, in it's richest, gaseous form, readily available as a fuel source.
  
  

Distributed Production Possibilities

• Mass production of hydrogen will be safer, too.power plant image by Ingus from Fotolia.com
  
  With reforming of hydrogen from biomass and even certain alcohol, the actual production of hydrogen-rich gas or liquids, is a safe enough of a process to be performed at the point of supply/refueling of vehicles ... what we now call "gas stations." The infrastructure needed could be as simple as these proprietors being supplied by local or regional farmers. The economy itself might be fueled by local economies. Unlike refining fossil fuels locally, hydrogen production is nowhere near as risky or hazardous a substance. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, environmental impact would be negligible, even in the event of a massive spill.
  
  

Centralized and Semi-Centralized Production

• Hydrogen power is as safe as a child's balloon.green baloon in the dark image by Digital_Zombie from Fotolia.com
  
  Any location on earth, with as few resources as simply water, could potentially be a location for a hydrogen refinery. Were an entire production facility to spill every last bit of the gas, it dissipates into a non-flammable concentration and is lighter than air. According to fuelcells.org, communities could dedicate nearly any devalued property for a safe production facility to accommodate community/EMS/city works demand.
  
  

Process of Getting Hydrogen

• Ethanol, from something so simple as corn, could power the world.roasted corn image by Accent from Fotolia.com
  
  In the case of using water (which is also the byproduct of hydrogen consumption) to derive hydrogen, an electrical current is run through to separate the hydrogen from the oxygen. A similar process is used with other biomass and ethanol, though the exact mechanics remain proprietary in nature, and therefore unable to be disclosed.