The fertilizer plant explosion in Texas a few weeks back provided a stark reminder of one of the downsides of energy technology – that they can be dangerous. More recently, a “backyard” entrepreneur in Washington State discovered the same while experimenting with hydrogen fuel – though thankfully with no loss of life. As reported in the Bellingham Herald.
While one of the frequently celebrated aspects of many renewable fuels is the potential for decentralized, local (and even home-based) production, please let these recent stories be a reminder that experimenting with any source of energy or fuel, even a renewable, can be extremely hazardous. If you are uncertain about what you are doing, it would be best to exercise caution.