[John Jamieson]

Work & Power = Energy. Energy costs determine the cost of everything (Including the cost of human labor).

[Cvengr]

"Work & Power = Energy. Energy costs determine the cost of everything (Including the cost of human labor)."Colloquially, I understand such language from MIT engineers. Down at Rice we usually weed those fellows out by the 2nd semester of their freshman year. (just kidding you a bit.)

Back in the 70's alot of discussion went into advocating a BTU dollar, but economics is a bit more complex. I agree that from an engineering perspective, a heat metric unit of economy is materially fundamental.

Another problem with hydrogen based systems is that hydrogen embrittlement in many materials will still limit many more practical innovations. There's alot of gas tanks out there which haven't been replaced for more than 20 years. Hydrogen storage probably won't be as forgiving. Systemically, there's alot to be said for time tested technologies which frequently isn't even identified or named until a replacement system highlights forgotten practical features and functionality.