On Earth hydrogen is found only in combination with other elements and must be extracted from these compounds rather than simply collected before use. Since it must be extracted from other sources, hydrogen can be considered an energy carrier rather than an energy source—a virtually inexhaustible, environmentally benign energy carrier that could meet most of our future energy needs. It is more versatile and has more uses than electricity, including providing energy for businesses, utilities, residences, vehicles, and airplanes. It is also domestically produced.

Researchers must overcome several obstacles for hydrogen to become a major energy resource: Hydrogen is currently more expensive than traditional energy sources; the production efficiency must improve; and an infrastructure to efficiently transport and distribute it must be developed.

AC vs. DC

In order to facilitate large-scale distribution of power, electricity is generally produced using an alternating current (AC), since a reliable pulse—via a strict frequency control—is necessary to enter the power grid. The turbines of the Rankine Cycle must employ de-superheaters and maintain the pulse of their generators at exactly 60 cycles. Maintaining the strict amperage, voltage, and frsequency of AC means a relatively complex and costly system of monitoring.

Direct current (DC) electricity, on the other hand, does not rely upon frequency and thus is much less expensive to produce. Because DC has no frequency, it cannot be used in the power grid and is no longer produced on any large scale. Thus current hydrogen production must rely upon AC.

The DBI Thorium Reactor program will eliminate the complexity associated with alternating current and can produce the much-less-expensive DC electricity suitable for the large-scale production of hydrogen, making its production cost competitive with current energy resources.