Thursday, December 20, 2007
Hydrogen Station In Orlando Now Open
The other station is at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County, Michigan. Both stations were designed by Chevron Technology Ventures, a division of Chevron USA.
http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2007/12/17/daily26.html
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Hydrogen Ford Focused On Florida
The new station will be used by six Hydrogen powered Ford Focus vehicles as a part of a 30 strong Ford Focus fuel cell demonstration fleet currently being tested in the United States, Canada and Germany.
The Hydrogen fueling station in Oviedo is the second to be opened in the state in the last six months with Florida's first Hydrogen station opened in Orlando in May of 2007. The Hydrogen fueling stations are a part of the Controlled Hydrogen Fleet and Infrastructure Demonstration and Validation Project, a joint initiative between Ford and the DOE.
http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/online/news/articles/2007-12/New-hydrogen-fuelling-station-op
BC Transit Transitions to Hydrogen
Canadian company, BC Transit has signed a $19.7 million (C$20 million) contract with Air Liquide Canada Inc. of Montreal to supply Hydrogen for the new, non-polluting buses, which will begin to arrive in the summer of 2008. Air Liquide, along with two other companies, will build fuelling stations in Whistler, Canada and at a British Columbia Transit center in Langford, Canada.
The first fuel cell buses are scheduled to be tested in Victoria in the summer of 2008 and will eventually be based in Whistler as part of public transportation for the 2010 Olympic Games. The British Columbia government ultimately envisions a Hydrogen highway reaching from Whistler to California as part of its efforts to reduce greenhouses gas emissions by 33 per cent by 2020.
http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5j6ttbmzNFNOVpHUQTD9edM9MdiPg
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Iceland Opens First Public Hydrogen Station
The project, backed by the government, academics and private firms, is being realized through the work of Icelandic New Energy. As of this week, the fuelling station will also power 10 Toyota Prius Hydrogen cars that were given to three private companies. The general public as well as visitors to Iceland will also be able to test out the new Hydrogen cars as Hertz will be renting out three of the vehicles.
Iceland aims to be completely independent of fossil fuels by 2050 and its use of geothermal energy and hydroelectric power have already put the country well on its way to achieving this target. However, personal transportation, which is heavily based on private cars, remains the biggest challenge.
http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2007/12/06/worlds-first-hydrogen-station-opens-to-public/
Monday, December 3, 2007
Hydrogen Gift Ideas
How about giving someone a real Hydrogen powered toy car!
Here are two great toy cars that are available now.
The first is the H Racer and Solar Hydrogen Station (shown left). The H Racer operates on 100% clean fuel produced by a miniature Hydrogen fueling station that converts water to hydrogen using energy captured from the sun.
http://www.frontgate.com/jump.jsp?sort=1&itemType=PRODUCT&AS=1&keyword=hydrogen&itemID=12911&iProductID=12911
The second is the Hydrogen generating car. This Hydrogen-powered car uses its very own on-board reversible Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cell to conduct the entire Hydrogen-generating and electrolytic process.
http://www.hammacher.com/publish/74717.asp?promo=homepage_hero
Monday, November 26, 2007
Tata Motors To Go Hydrogen
The fuel cell buses Tata is looking at will be able to run about 155 miles (250km) on one fill and could be used for inter-city and intra-city trips. The same fuel cell technology will later be used in smaller cars as well as SUV's. Tata is also working on a Hydrogen-based internal combustion engine as well as an Indica model that would run on a mix of compressed natural gas (CNG) and Hydrogen.
The push by Tata Motors comes along with the government of India's plan to pump in more than $5 billion (Rs 25,000 crore) into a national Hydrogen energy board to support the Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council and their focus on building technologies and engines using Hydrogen as fuel.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India_Business/Tata_inks_plan_for_green_cars/articleshow/2570425.cms
Monday, November 19, 2007
Hydrogen Station Opened In Shanghai
Tongji University will be responsible for operating the station that will dispense Hydrogen for a fleet of fuel cell cars and buses operating in the region.
The Anting Hydrogen station is part of the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology's 863 Program, named for the date on which it was created (March 1986). The program aims to stimulate the development of advanced technologies in a wide range of fields, including the commercialization of hybrid-electric drive and fuel cell vehicles.
http://www.energycurrent.com/index.php?id=3&storyid=6908
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
The Grass Is Greener On The Other Side
The discovery, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is very promising given that the researchers were able to use existing technology meaning the process can be put to use immediately.
Professor Bruce Logan and his research assistant Shaoan Cheng discovered a method whereby bacteria called exoelectrogens break down acetic acid (produced by fermenting cellulose, glucose or other biodegradable organic matter) in a microbial electrolysis cell to create Hydrogen.
The way the process works is that when the bacteria consume the acid, electrons are transferred to a graphite anode. During the process the bacteria also release protons (which are Hydrogen atoms stripped of electrons) that are held in solution. As the electrons are then transferred to a platinum cathode they combine with the protons and generate 0.3 volts of electricity. When another 0.2 volts is added to the process it creates Hydrogen gas.
This is all very promising especially given that this method produces up to 82 percent more energy than the electricity and biomass needed to produce it.
http://www.wired.com/cars/energy/news/2007/11/hydrogen_bacteria
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Norwegian Hydrogen World
Mazda has described the move as a big step in Mazda's Hydrogen vehicle development history and lauds Norway as being one of the countries closest to the realization of a Hydrogen energy society.
As part of the project, HyNor is looking to develop a Hydrogen energy infrastructure along a route of 360 miles (580km) from Oslo to Stavanger. The project envisions a Hydrogen world with buses, taxis, cars and other types of transport systems. Sounds like Norway might be one of the first countries to realize a Hydrogen Future.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=123351
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Working Together to Test Hydrogen Technology
The facility will initially power a fleet of five Hyundai Tucson fuel cell vehicles used by the Army and National Guard. The facility will utilize Chevron's proprietary advanced steam methane reforming technology to produce about 88 pounds (40kgs) of Hydrogen per day.
The SANG Base station is the fifth Hydrogen demonstration station commissioned by CTV. Each of the five stations features a different production technology to assess and determine the benefits of various production systems.
http://www.energycurrent.com/index.php?id=3&storyid=6464
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Hydrogen Honda Available Next Year
The Hydrogen automobile will be unveiled at the Los Angeles motor show next month and is expected to closely follow the design of the FCX concept car with space for four passengers in its futuristic looking cabin. Instead of a fuel gauge the vehicle will have a range meter that tells you how far you can travel with the Hydrogen left in the tank. It is also expected to feature lithium-ion batteries to recover energy during braking and a gearless transmission.
This is truly incredible news especially given that previous estimates for a viable Hydrogen fuel cell car ranged from 10 years to 20 years in the future. Also, this vehicle will have a modest price tag which means the Hydrogen Honda will cost less than many exotic vehicles available now. The Hydrogen Future is coming sooner than we think.
http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/features/article2744803.ece
Friday, October 26, 2007
Traveling The World Supersonic Style
The first phase of this Long-term Advanced Propulsion Concepts And Technologies (LAPCAT) scheme winds up early next year and is being run by the ESA.
The $14.5 million funding will go towards studying how to bring this supersonic aircraft to life so that one day it will travel from Brussels, Belgium to Sydney, Australia in just 4.6 hours (covering 10,407 miles).
For now, researchers are trying to figure out how to develop an engine that will be capable of thrusting the airplane to Mach 5.5 speed. The engine will most likely consist of a rocket engine with a turbo compressor that will be also be able to fly at subsonic speeds while travelling over land where sonic boom is not permitted. This amazing technology is definitely something we can expect to see in the Hydrogen Future.
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/fast-plane/mach-8-hydrogen-hypersonic-airliner-on-the-drawing-board-314957.php
Thursday, October 25, 2007
The Wunderbar Wunderengine
The engine will power the HALE, an endurance airplane that will be capable of flying for seven days in the stratosphere. As part of the testing, the wunderengine went for three days non-stop under the simulated conditions of a flight at 65,000 feet.
Although the HALE is expected to hit the skies within several years, its primary purpose will be communications for military or commercial purposes and may also be used for persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance purposes.
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/the-future-of-aviation/boeing-successful-hydrogen-engine-test-shows-future-of-aviation-314497.php
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Hydrogen Honda Is Here To Stay
Honda has stated that it is making significant efforts in the development of fuel cell vehicles with the hopes of bringing down the high price from $840,000 (more than 100 million yen) to below $87,700 (10 million yen) within the next ten years.
Honda also believes that there is no future for the auto history without Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles especially when other cleaner technology such as electric vehicles cannot go as far as needed without additional charging or a massive battery. After trying to mass produce electric vehicles three years ago Honda realized the technology was not enough and decided to pursue fuel cell technology instead.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific_business/view/307388/1/.html
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
So You Think You Can Drive?
The first group of eligible test drivers will be identified in the fall of 2007, with the first mainstream driver vehicles available after the New Year. The program will stretch over a three year period with several hundred people getting a chance to test drive one of the Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles for an extended period of time. Unfortunately, due to the limited number of vehicles, not all online community members will become Project Driveway drivers.
Although Chevrolet seems to refer to this vehicle as being more of an electric vehicle than a Hydrogen powered vehicle, this program is a still good start as it will hopefully bring awareness to all of the possibilities that Hydrogen has to offer.
www.chevrolet.com/fuelcell
Monday, October 15, 2007
The Ultimate UAV
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Hydrogen, Eh?
Hydrogen on the Hill is led by Industry Canada and Ford of Canada and managed by Advanced Technologies and Fuels Canada with the goal of assessing the environmental benefits and commercial feasibility of using Hydrogen as a transportation fuel.
The buses currently using the technology have already racked up more than 3,700 trouble free miles (6,000 km) over the past year. This project is proof that not only is Hydrogen a clean alternative but also a realistic alternative.
http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=780489
Friday, October 12, 2007
Riding On Hydrogen In New Zealand
Bios Fuel began in 1996 when Mr. Ryan started tinkering with an old motorcycle engine in his Auckland garage. Mr. Ryan's concept became a reality two years ago when he rode a 350cc motorcycle powered solely on water for the CBS television show 60 Minutes.
Mr Ryan says the water based fuel system he is using allows Hydrogen to be housed safely in water and released. Although it is blended with waste oil for lubrication and a bonding agent, ultimately the power comes from water. He says the fuel runs via a normal combustion system and that the delivery system is the key, which he says must remain under wraps.
It is great to see people like Mr. Ryan hard at work proving to skeptics that the possibility of creating a Hydrogen Future is here and now.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4235846a13.html
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Keep On Truckin'
As part of their contract with the U.S. Department of Defense the companies are looking to produce a system that will use a Hydrogen fuel cell to recharge a lead acid battery while the battery remains in the lift truck. The battery will do its traditional work of providing power and acting as a counterweight while the fuel cell will eliminate the need to lift the heavy batteries out of the trucks for electric charging. A working prototype of the hybrid system is expected to be ready in 12 months.
http://www.mmh.com/article/CA6489246.html
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
High Marks On The Hydrogen Report
Their report titled "Innovations in Hydro Production and Storage Technologies" states that as a result of these various developments, Hydrogen production and storage technologies could reach commercial stage and enter the market in a reasonably short time.
The report also confirmed that both production and storage technologies were some of the challenges that had to be overcome before the Hydrogen economy could become an achievable reality. Ultimately though cost is what they believe will continue to play the biggest role in determining which technologies will dominate.
http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?a_id=118627
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
First One To Zero Wins
The newly opened service station allows for Hydrogen to be produced on site using a gas powered reformer, with the Hydrogen then being used to power a fleet of three fuel cell Fiat Pandas.
Although the service station uses gas to produce Hydrogen it is still a very positive project since it should help improve the acceptance of fuel cell and Hydrogen technology by the general public.
http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/online/news/articles/2007-10/New-hydrogen-station-opened-in-I
Monday, October 8, 2007
Hollywood Has Gone Hydrogen
He joins a select group of people that have been keys to test drive this amazing vehicle for an extended period of time. Among them are comic Jay Leno and opera singer Plácido Domingo.
This is hopefully a good sign of things to come from BMW in terms of more of these revolutionary vehicles being made available to the masses. As more of these vehicles become common place for everyday drivers so does the reality of a Hydrogen Future.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=122945#2
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Hats Off To The Hydrogen Man
To generate electricity all Mr. Strizki has to do is turn on a flow of water, which leads to an electrolyzer machine that splits the water into its component parts of Hydrogen and oxygen. The Hydrogen then feeds into oblong metal tanks that fuels his house, his vehicles and boat. The Hydrogen can be stored in pressurized tanks for months or even years and when needed is funneled into a Hydrogen fuel cell where, when recombined with oxygen, free electrons are created and captured in the form of electricity. At the end of the process the only byproduct is water which is fed right back into the electrolyzer, where the solar energy splits it into Hydrogen once again.
Hats off to Mr. Strizki and his wonderful set up! Although this system cost around $500,000 it is great to see that living in a Hydrogen Future is definitely possibly as Mr. Strizki is proof of it today.
http://www.theolympian.com/524/story/236061.html
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Checks and Balances
The NIST has been tasked with developing the standards, test procedures and test methods that are needed to buy and sell Hydrogen in the future marketplace as easily as gasoline, diesel and other fuels are bought today.
Even though accurate measuremnts and standards are critical for bringing us one step closer to the Hydrogen Future it still something that could have easily been overlooked.
It is great to see that accurate measurements and standards are being developed and implemented towards this technology, especially since such standards and measurements are necessary in almost every stage of Hydrogen, from production to distribution and sales.
http://www.gasworld.com/news.php?a=2062
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Chemical Attraction
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071003100601.htm
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Zoom Zoom SuPREMACY
The Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid also has a lithium-ion battery that drives the motor and recharges itself using energy from braking.
The vehicle will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month and will be available in Japan next year. For now it will only be available on lease from the factory at around $3,577 a month.
This Hydrogen/electric/gasoline hybrid is very intriguing and should do well as it can bridge the gap for now between gasoline vehicles and vehicles that run solely on Hydrogen.
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5g3Y7kOunpk649M_zNkwQ4nV3ng0A
Good Day Sunshine
The team of scientists found that titanium disilicide (TiSi2) can split water using a photocatalytic process similar to photosynthesis whereby chlorophyll molecules use light energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into glucose. The semiconductor is also able to separate and store the Hydrogen and oxygen released.
Using simply the sun and no other fossil fuels to produce Hydrogen is about as clean as a method as one can find. Assuming this can be implemented on a large scale it will definitely be something that we can expect to see in the Hydrogen Future.
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2007/October/01100701.asp
Monday, October 1, 2007
Driving on Egg Shells
As it turns out the calcium carbonate found in egg shells is one of the most effective carbon dioxide absorbers ever tested.
The engineers were however quick to add that egg shells alone may not be adequate to produce enough Hydrogen for the whole country but at least it would be better than just dumping them into lanfills.
He Sells Hydrogen Hyundai's on the Sea Shore
Coming to a Movie Premiere Near You - The New Toyota Hydrogen SUV
The company did not mention when the vehicle might become available or what it might cost.
Once again though we have to ask whether the original Hydrogen fuel cell was made using fossil fuels or not. Either way, this is very promising.
Pedalling Hydrogen in China
Given the technology involved the bicycle is expensive although the company is confident that price will drop to around $670 once mass production begins.
This is a great start although one has to wonder how the Hydrogen fuel cell was made in the first place. If it was made using a wind mill or some other non fossil fuel source that is great. However if it was made using fossil fuels, although it is still great progress, it is not yet a true product of the Hydrogen Future.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22395601-664,00.html
Sunday, September 30, 2007
The Basics of Hydrogen
Since Hydrogen is not an energy source itself it has to be produced by either electrolysis of water or reforming of fossil fuels. Electrolysis of water is a process whereby electricity is used to split water molecules (H2O) to create pure Hydrogen and oxygen. Although this process can be done just about anywhere it is the more expensive of the two processes. In the reforming of fossil fuels, a device called a fuel processor or reformer is used to split Hydrogen off the carbon in hydrocarbons that are found in oil and natural gas (methane) to create pure Hydrogen and carbon, the latter being discarded into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.
In order to create a true Hydrogen Future pure Hydrogen should be derived from renewable sources and not fossil fuels so that there is no release of carbon into the atmosphere. Today this can be achieved only by generating pure Hydrogen through electrolysis utilizing electricity that is not generated itself by fossil fuels. There are several non fossil fuel options for generating the electricity needed for electrolysis which include wind turbines, solar cells, hydroelectric dams, nuclear power, geothermal power, wave and tidal power and co-generation.
The Hydrogen Future will be driven in large part by the non fossil fuel option that becomes not only the safest, most feasible and most efficient source of electricty needed to produce pure Hydrogen but also the most affordable.