There are mineral powders which can be used (although i forget their name) to store hydrogen in an inert combination and release it on demand at low overhead. In addition current research into nanotubes (molecular scale constructions of C-60 molecules) indicates they can be developed into an effective hydrogen transport system with low risk.

Hydrogen's greatest benefit is the benevolence of its by-products in combustion -- drinkable water.

Our current addiction to portable energy sources requires something comparable to the petrol-driven personal vehicle, and hydrogen potentially provides that. On the other hand if we could raise the efficiency of batteries we could transition to solar-, tidal- or wind-powered electrical systems which would do as well, if we could engineer a method of "refillling" them that was as efficient as gas stations are currently.

The biggest single thing that is missing in all this is a sponsorship with enough clout to bring the various parts of technology together and fund the evolution of deployable, workable solutions, the establishment of infrastructure, and the emergence of workable engines in market-ready vehicles.

The biggest players in the current scenario are the oil companies who are galloping to transfer their near-monopoly of the oil-based energy economy to the renewable energy economy so they can make the transition without disrupting their jolly revenue stream. Having every wage earner in the developed world in your customer base is not a situation to walk away from.

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