Resurrection Lutheran Men’s Breakfast Hosts Dr. Michael Knotek: The Promise of White Hydrogen | Community

The Resurrection Lutheran Men’s Breakfast recently welcomed Mike Knotek, an expert on global clean energy transition.

Dr. Knotek spent over 60 years working with the Department of Energy and its predecessors, at the national laboratories, in the Office of the Secretary of Energy as senior advisor and Deputy Undersecretary of Energy for Science and Energy and as a consultant throughout the system. He is now part of the Energy Futures Initiative Foundation, studying various policies and technological aspects of global clean energy.

White hydrogen was accidentally discovered in Africa, when a small community was drilling for water. Since then, the interest and potential application of hydrogen as a clean and very efficient energy source has intensified. The amount of hydrogen required to provide power to replace current electricity and fuels is a fraction of what is generated today. Additionally, the carbon dioxide emissions would be nearly nonexistent compared to what is being released into our atmosphere today from automobile exhaust and coal plants.

Hydrogen is produced naturally underground and replenishes itself continuously. While exploration and management strategies for hydrogen production move forward at breakneck speed, several companies have already experimented with its application in automobiles and industrial plants. Estimates are underway to confirm potential sources of hydrogen that can be extracted in both the United States and other parts of the world. Hydrogen’s promise as one of the next sources of clean energy across the globe is enormous.

The breakfast event, attended by more than 40 men, began with opening remarks by committee chair Jim Seppala. Ken Shepard led the blessing, and Mark Boyce guided the group in the Pledge of Allegiance before introducing the guest speaker. A hearty breakfast, prepared by Kevin Risner of Flaming Heart BBQ Catering, was served prior to the presentation.

The Men’s Breakfast is now in its summer hiatus and will start again in the fall, on Saturday, October 4. The tentative featured speaker is Alan Bergstrom, who will present on “9/11: Recollections from One Who Witnessed It All”, a personal account of what he experienced that tragic morning while on a business trip in New York.

The Resurrection Lutheran Men’s Breakfast meets on the first Saturday of each month from October through May at the Outreach Center on the church’s main campus in Oro Valley. Doors open at 7 a.m., with the program beginning at 7:30 a.m. Registration is available online at orovalley.org or by calling (520) 575-9901. A $15 donation is appreciated. All are welcome.