Infrastructure is coming, but hydrogen industry is in sore need of business standards
August 2, 2011Hydrogen fuel is gaining traction all over the world and is overcoming some of the hurdles that had kept its acceptance low.
The need for alternatives to oil is becoming abundantly clear and many nations have been laboring in the effort to establish a working hydrogen infrastructure to accommodate the coming shift away from fossil-fuel. Infrastructure is, indeed, one of the few barriers left between hydrogen power and mass consumption. But there is more to infrastructure than building a few gas stations here and there.
Despite several major auto makers backing the hydrogen industry, there has yet to be any business model formed regarding the commercialization of the fuel. While auto makers are busy making fuel cell vehicles, there is little effort being put into the business side of things, leaving much to be desired for the future of hydrogen fuel.
Without a concrete business model, there will be little in the way of universal standards for commercial fuel.
While there may be no lack of fueling stations in the coming years, the prices from station to station may fluctuate wildly. This could damage a fragile industry which has yet to take root in the world.
The future of hydrogen fuel is still uncertain. Fuel cells have shown their promise, yet without adequate infrastructure and business standards, whatever triumphs are found in hydrogen may be short lived.