Wednesday, September 22

The Hydrogen Economy: Inevitable or Impossible?

SPEAKER: Daniel M. Kammen, UC Berkeley professor in the Energy & Resources Group and the Goldman School of Public Policy, and Director of the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory (RAEL) at Berkeley.

George W. Bush thinks hydrogen-powered fuel cells are the key to our energy future, John Kerry wants to transition to a hydrogen economy by 2020 and promises to fund a multi-billion dollar institute to back it up, and Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed a "California Hydrogen Highway Network." But is it realistic to think the US can wean itself off fossil fuels and convert to hydrogen? When, if ever, will affordable hydrogen vehicles debut on our roadways? Do the laws of thermodynamics, which tell us there's no such thing as a free lunch, mean hydrogen fuel cells waste rather than save energy?

Dan Kammen, whose work is focused on energy science and policy, has considered these questions and has bones to pick with politicians and scientists on both sides of the fence. He recently authored a white paper that urges California to research and begin to implement a hydrogen economy, but only in the wider context of a diverse and clean energy system. "Energy diversity should be at the center of our energy policy," he says. "Hydrogen can fill an important role in that system by providing a means to store electricity, and to greatly expand the opportunities for zero tailpipe emission vehicles."

Kammen, who works at the national and international energy policy levels, will give us a quick tutorial on hydrogen fuel and fuel cells, and discuss the many issues that must be dealt with in order for hydrogen to supplant fossil fuels. Prominent among these is building an infrastructure equivalent to the one that now supplies gasoline to the nations 250 million vehicles. He'll also tell us how renewable sources - wind, solar and others - fit into the hydrogen equation, the presidential campaign and the health of the planet.

WHERE: The Basque Cultural Center, 599 Railroad Ave., South San Francisco (650-583-8091). The center has a website which includes
a map on how to get there.

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2004

COST: $20 per person; $12 for students
(** Note that NCSWA is subsidizing part of the price to keep member costs down.)

MENU: The Basque Cultural Center serves French-accented fare, and offers us a choice of three entrees:

• Breast of Chicken Chasseur with vegetables and rice
• Confit de Canard (Duck) with scalloped potatoes and vegetables
• Vegetarian Pasta

All are served with soup, salad, bread and butter, plus ice cream and coffee for dessert.

SCHEDULE:

6 pm to 7 pm Happy Hour (no host bar)
7 pm to 8:15 pm Dinner
8:15 pm to 9:30 pm Speaker

Please make out a check to NCSWA and mail it to:

Robert Sanders
1512 Holly St.
Berkeley, CA 94703

IN ADDITION TO SENDING A CHECK, PLEASE INDICATE THE ENTREE YOU DESIRE. We must tell the restaurant the total for each dish by Friday, Sept. 17.

CARPOOLING: For those interested in carpooling to the dinner, Karen Street again will play transportation matchmaker, matching up those of you wanting a ride with those who are driving. Contact her at karen_street@sbcglobal.net. She will mail out information as she receives it. Many thanks to all those who have offered rides in the past, enabling people to attend.