When considering the pros and cons of an energy system, a good way to consider all aspects is to see the situation from the point of view of an environmentalist, an economist, an engineer, and a politician.

The Environmentalist

From this point of view, environmental concerns are weighed against energy gains. The environmentalist loves hydrogen because there is almost no pollution. The only pollution in producing hydrogen is from whatever made the electricity, so if the source is solar or wind there is no pollution. Electrolysis makes alternative energy sources more plausible, which makes the environmentalist happy. Combustion of pure hydrogen only produces water and this also helps the environment. There are also small amounts of nitrogen oxides whenever a great deal of heat is given off, but this is very minimal. With fuel cells there are minimal amounts of pollution if fossil fuels are used as the fuel. Still, any pollution from any of the hydrogen processes is very small and very pleasing to the environmentalist.

The Economist

The economist only approves of hydrogen in certain cases. The world has plenty of water and no resources actually get used up, just recycled back and forth between water and hydrogen. Still electrolysis and cryogenic cooling are both very expensive. The only way hydrogen storage could be economically viable is when it is sent over very long distances where piping hydrogen would be more efficient then sending electricity or when a storage system is neccessary as in the case of solar or wind power. Once in hydrogen form, hydrogen as a fuel could be sent through existing natural gas pipelines and makes an excellent fuel for combustion. With the fuel cell, the parts have been made cheaper and less fossil fuel is required than traditional fossil fuel combustion. Fuel cells have no moving parts and no combustion, meaning that parts do not need to be replaced or repaired and fuel cell plants require minimal staff, all reducing cost. Still, hydrogen technology is very new and a lot of money has been put into research and development. This will make any use of hydrogen expensive in the near future, especially with the $100 million Hydrogen Future Act of 1995 that supports hydrogen but drives up the prices. The economist only supports hydrogen in specific areas but sees that as the research gets paid for, hydrogen will become more economically viable. Volume production and process improvements will also drive prices down.

The Engineer

Engineers look into the science and technology of the energy system. Obviously, the technology is possible, but there is a huge energy waste with storage. Electrolysis is fairly efficient with a 67% efficiency. However, the total process including cryogenic cooling drops this to 23% to form liquid hydrogen ready to be used for energy. Storage and transport of hydrogen are technological problems that need to be solved. A more efficient and cheaper way to produce hydrogen must be found so that fuel cells will be able to burn this instead of fossil fuels which are cheaper and more energy efficient. However, engineers like fuel cells because there are no moving parts to wear down and there is no combustion taking place. Engineers have to produce, transport, and store hydrogen in a safer, cheaper, and more energy-efficient way, but the fuel cell is a big plus.

The Politician

The politician concerns himself with the public's opinion of the energy and any political advantages that can be gained from the energy. Politicians support hydrogen because of the environmental concerns and it's ability to help all other alternative resources. Politicians also see the advantage in any energy that would stop the U.S.'s dependence on Middle Eastern oil. Politicians don't like the economic or technological problems but are helping out with these through government support. Besides this, politicians only problem is that hydrogen is highly explosive and makes the public nervous about hydrogen power.

Hydrogen has many pluses and minuses, but an obvious niche is forming where all four agree. They agree on long-distance transport for electricity and assisting with other alternative energies. Fuel cells' niche is growing all the time from stationary power plants and then became small enough and powerful enough for use in a car. This still needs to become cheaper to please all sides of society, but is growing quickly. Hydrogen will not solve the energy crisis, but has a specific niche it is especially suited for. The solution to the world's energy crisis will not be any one source, but a balance of many sources all especially suited for their respective niches. This is hydrogen's contribution to the solution.