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Re:Artificial Leaf Harnesses Sunlight for Efficient Fuel Pro... by woofuls on Sunday September 20, 2015 @09:56PM (#10249994)
Absolutely not. H2 gives 5.6 MJ/L @ 700 psi, which is too weak compared to diesel which gives 35.8 MJ/L @ 1 atm. Also, compressed H2 is considerably more difficult to work with than diesel.

The Department of Energy mandated that these same researchers pursue liquid fuels in the future (note, they do not mean H2) from the reduction of carbon dioxide, because they do not think H2 stands a chance.

Re:Artificial Leaf Harnesses Sunlight for Efficient Fuel Pro... by zw123456 on Sunday September 20, 2015 @11:53PM (#10250273)
Right but the advantage of H2 using a system like this could make solar a viable round the clock energy source. If one could run on conventional solar cells during daylight hours whilst also using another array of these to stockpile H2 for use in a fuel cell at night, then it could provide 24hr power vs. Lion batteries with .6MJ/kg. Clearly they have a lot more work to do before it would be viable, but I think it has interesting possibilities.
Re:Artificial Leaf Harnesses Sunlight for Efficient Fuel Pro... by woofuls on Monday September 21, 2015 @09:36AM (#10252118)
Right now every solar hydrogen production technology is an order of magnitude more expensive than steam reforming with little opportunity of ever becoming competitive.