Fuel Cell Performance

> Why is depending on the centralized Propane Authority alright but not
> the centralized Electric Grid Authority? Aren't you in just as much
> danger with the Propane Cabal?

The difference is that relaying on propane provides a long
mean-time-between failures for dependancy on a propane cartel for any
typical user (failure is when you can't get a delivery every few months)
compared to second by second dependance on the grid and a SSPS cartel
(who can plunge an entire country into darkenss in an instant for
intentional or uninentional reasons).

And MTBF for propane use from non-delivery can be increased by simply
having a larger tank, or having provisions for using alternate fuels --
like from biomass.

And again, we're talking in a Lovins' _Soft Energy Paths_ energy
efficiency scenario about the propane being for luxury consumption, not
essentials. So, even when the system fails, it fails safe.

Propaen is potenetially dangerous (especially because, unlike lighter
than air hydrogen, propane is heaver than air and so can pool in hollows
to form explosive pockets). And there are also better long term carbon
sequestered energy storage choices than propane -- I'd suggest sugar for
example. So maybe PV panels will produce sap, which will go into a
storage tank, to be converted to electricity someow (perhaps converted
by bacteria to hydrogen which then powers a fuel cell or ICE or tubine
generator).
http://www.afrlhorizons.com/Briefs/Jun03/ML0227.html

--Paul Fernhout