Hydrogen has a low energy density relative to volume, making it more difficult to store a sufficient amount within a reasonably sized space and it is innately unstable. Delivering or transporting hydrogen in high-pressure storage tanks is cumbersome, expensive and would restrict its use in many places. Using water as the hydrogen source until the hydrogen is released by its chemical reaction with aluminum greatly relieves these problems and eliminates storage, delivery and/or transportation difficulties.

Traditional rechargeable batteries have a limited shelf life, as well as a limited output capacity and, hence, quickly require an auxiliary power source. Aluminum-air fuel cells may be as much as ten times as dense compared with lead-acid batteries and occupy a fraction of the space or weight. They can be mechanically recharged to its original capacity by simply replacing its cartridges. Numerous uses for uninterrupted reliable remote power include computer data storage banks, critical manufacturing facilities, bank ATMs, telecommunication systems and safety lighting.

Military
The military has been interested in aluminum as a source of energy for fifty years. They understand the critical advantages of its inherent energy and being lightweight, portable and vastly abundant. The mobile soldier, with his/her multitude of electronic equipment, would be an immediate benefactor. The sophisticated devices used in the field or in remote activities require the benefits integral to these technologies.

The possibilities for use in this arena are greatly enhanced by the longevity of the power output. Laptop computers could have remote operations for more than 24 hours and the same is true for most of the innumerable portable electric devices available today. Any isolated location could have the services it requires without establishing uneconomical electrical connections to the grid or building a huge infrastructure.

The possibilities for the individual homeowner, supermarket or manufacturing plant (the residential, commercial and industrial applications) to establish an independent source of power off the main electrical grid as either a primary or secondary source of energy is quite viable. The unattractive presence of some fuel generators, with their inherent noise or pollution, is eliminated and replaced with a quiet, unobtrusive unit with no pollution during its operation, providing for the opportunity to place this power source indoors.

The unique advantage of combining both the inherent energy in aluminum and water with the on-board/on-demand methodology creates an opening for initializing the utilization of the aluminum-air technology and hydrogen generation for use in the bicycle and scooter; golf-car and forklift; boat and yacht; and even the automotive industry. By utilizing the hydrogen generated, in a safe stable environment, the enormous storage and delivery problems are eliminated. The concerns for having to reinvent the infrastructure for hydrogen cars also subside. Obviously, the technical complexities will take time and effort, but the critical points or problems are feasible.

Zero emission fuel cell vehicles will positively change the lives of the next generation.

The enormous amount of power generated globally creates an infrastructure that cannot be duplicated or replaced in any foreseeable future. However, the need to establish operations in remote locations or for special purposes allows for the possibility of erecting a power operation with a limited amount of infrastructure. Furthermore, delivering the power source becomes significantly easier than building major pipelines or electrical lines. In addition, with a potential global carbon tax being considered, the economics of using aluminum energy as an alternative or as a complimentary part of the solution becomes more crucial. This renewable aluminum energy can become an important part of the energy mosaic.

The diverse applications that new integrated technologies into almost all activities requiring the eventual production of energy, hydrogen and electricity. Given its inherent environmental advantages, relatively good economics and availability, aluminum should eventually become an important part of the renewable energy industry. Obviously, the viable commercialization of the technologies is still in its initial stages, but the potential remains and the most difficult technical barriers have been overcomed. Certainly, the opportunities mentioned below reflect only a part of the potential.