Powering your ICE (Internal Combustion Engine)
Hydrogen can be extracted from water and be used as a fuel source to power internal combustion engines. There is a corrosion issue with water in the engine but it can be remedied with a small amount of gasoline.
Currently, the most viable and cheapest method to extract hydrogen from water is solar energy and electrolysis. Conventional electrolysis is not an efficient process so it is an unpopular option unless you have solar energy.
There have been reports of vast improvements with electrolysis using pulsed high voltage electricity and non-magnetic (high grade)stainless steel tubes. If true, the ability to effectively harness water's molecular energy may be available now.
References:
http://www.icubenetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=98http://www.recountflorida.com/files/hpot/energy/myers/MeyerRep.pdfhttp://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.04/hydrogen_pr.htmlPower Storage/Electric Motors and NiMH Batteries
High capacity NiMH batteries are capable of powering large electric motors (contained in hybrids) and even homes. NiMH batteries have no memory effect and are rechargeable to last many years. As a solution to energy independence I believe a combination of solar power and NiMH batteries is a great alternative.
Unfortunately there are absurd licensing restrictions regarding propulsion and NiMH battery manufacturing.
References:
http://www.evworld.com/blogs/index.cfm?page=blogentry&authorid=51&blogid=104&archive=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_EV1http://thejaffes.org/rory/ev1/index.php