Alternative fuels experience, 15 years

Lessons Learned from 15 Years of Alternative Fuels Experience—1988 to 2003... 

Richard L. Bechtold is a registered professional engineer in Maryland with 20 years of experience with alternative fuels. His interest in this growing field was sparked by the gasoline shortage of 1973 to 1974. 

What, if anything, does the 15-year experience with alternative fuels, and the lessons learned, tell us about the upcoming hydrogen transition We think the lessons learned should be studied in detail by those who have the most to gain from a successful introduction of hydrogen as a transportation fuel, and also by those who have the most to lose from less than full success. We believe the numerous analyses and models developed to assess alternative fuels should now be harnessed to help chart the most effective course toward a hydrogen future. In particular, we have made five overarching observations drawn from the experience with alternative fuels in the United States to date. 

Dr. Saha also worked as a Research Associate with Professor Xueliang Sun at the University of Western Ontario, Canada. Dr. Saha has over seven years of R D experience in theoretical and applied electrochemistry, including over two years of fuel cell R D. He has co-authored more than twenty-five research papers published in refereed journals and holds over ten patents. He has also produced in excess of twenty industrial technical reports. Dr. Saha is an active member of The Electrochemical Society and the American Chemical Society. He was awarded the Monbukagakusho Fellowship from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (1998-2001). His research focuses on nanostructured materials, including nanotubes and nanowires synthesis, and electrochemical characterization and applications as alternative electrode supports for PEM fuel cells. 

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