There are very recently developed cheap catalysts of common materials, which also cut the energy required for electrical hydrogen separation from water; and, which simplify the electro-chemical cell construction by allowing a single common electrolyte to be employed.
I hope that it is so. It will be a revolutionary development if truly economical and energy efficient methods of producing hydrogen through electrolysis powered by “renewable” energy become available. You will have to forgive me however if I remain skeptical.
This exact scenario has been hyped for years and we do not actually seem any closer than when I first read articles about the new hydrogen economy many years ago. There always seem to be recently developed inexpensive catalysts and new methods just around the corner. Countless billions have been spent over the years "perfecting" these technologies. It is this easily obtained government money combined with loose controls and oversight that fuels the hype. It is more believable than things like “cold fusion” but the actual numbers seem to always be exaggerated.
I have read all of your posts with great interest and enthusiasm. Thank you for sharing your knowledge on this subject. I apologize for being such a curmudgeon.