Focusing on Hydrogen Technology Companies

Hurricane Katrina has dramatically focused this country’s attention on energy security. It has once again highlighted the importance of electricity. In fact, the only difference between the dark ages and today is electricity. All the other advances go by the wayside if there is no electricity like we saw in the aftermath of Katrina. Hospitals don’t function if there is no electricity. Police and fire departments can’t protect us if there is no electricity to power their radios. Electricity has become the new measure of economic prosperity.

In March, there was a local event called E-Business in the Hydrogen Economy. This program discussed Northern Virginia’s Internet dominance. It started a conversation about how companies in the region can reuse current technology investments. It showcased local hydrogen technology companies and their success stories.

The E-Business in the Hydrogen Economy event also acknowledged that there was a need for public outreach and consumer education. With the heightened level of interest in Hydrogen Technology and alternative fuel sources because of Katrina, Americans see the vulnerability of our energy infrastructure. Because of the resulting high energy prices, there is an opportunity to organize support for local hydrogen tech companies.

Some technology commentators suggested that we are twenty years away from the wide-spread commercialization hydrogen technology and other alternative fuel sources. It only took ten years to go to the moon once we decided we wanted to go. Why would commercializing hydrogen technology and other alternative fuels sources take any longer than going to the moon.