[aruanan]

What might be interesting is if he’s found a new way to desalinate, but just off the laws of physics, he hasn’t found a new energy source.

Uh, if he's found a way of freeing hydrogen (an "old" energy source) from saltwater, then he has found a new way of generating an "old" energy source.

[DB]

It can’t take less energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen than is released when it is recombined (burned). Basic law of physics. You would have perpetual motion if it could be done.