Educational Media Reviews Online

This video suffers from an unrelenting boosterism of hydrogen fuel as a solution to all our energy problems in the near future. Hydrogen 2000 Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is the promotion of hydrogen as a safe, zero environmental impact fuel for vehicles and buildings. The organization claims sponsorship of U.S. Department of Energy, Natural Resources Canada, and several other organizations, some with a strong vested interest in hydrogen production. It is unclear exactly what that sponsorship entails. Certainly hydrogen as fuel has great possibilities. However, only the briefest mention is given of the significant technical and particularly economic challenges in reducing costs and testing durability of fuel cells as well as building a nation-wide distribution center. The only concern significantly and effectively addressed is the safety issue. Though the video at one points states at the end “it won’t happen overnight”, the general tenor is unbridled optimism reflected by the claim of the general public “soon being able to make it [hydrogen] at home” from water. Even the claim of being totally environmentally benign can be debated. Water may not prove an economic source of hydrogen at least near term. Much current hydrogen is produced from natural gas and other carbon-based sources.

On the positive side, the production values are excellent. The video discusses in detail and shows excellent shots of hydrogen cars, stationary fuel cells, and filling stations. This reviewer believes educators would be better served finding a more balanced video on this topic or at least presenting material speaking more directly to the barriers to this innovation. The video could be used to lead into a discussion of the challenges of making significant shifts in technological underpinnings of our society, technological forecasting, and the interplay between economics and technology.