HYDROGEN AND FOSSIL-FUELS

A technological forecast is attempted of how fossil fuels will fare du ring the period of build-up of the hydrogen energy economy. If the lat ter is inevitable many might expect their death. However, they will pr obably always be needed as a source of chemicals, and arguments are gi ven for the thesis that synthetic methane will remain a useful fuel ev en after oil and natural gas are exhausted. It seems likely that the f ossil fuel industry can survive, prosper, and provide employment by be coming a significant part of the hydrogen energy economy. The roles of ammonia and of nuclear and geothermal energy are also briefly conside red.