Fuel Cell News

GM fuel cell boss explains that the technology needs to past the final cost hurdle to production

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:57:00 GMT

Filed under: Hydrogen, GM

General Motors fuel cell comparsion - click above to enlarge

It's no secret that General Motors remains committed to hydrogen fuel cells as a long term solution to zero emissions transportation. In this cause, GM is in league with many of the largest automakers in the world including Toyota, Honda, Daimler, and Hyundai. Recently we ran an editorial refuting some reports (including one of our own) about the cost of GM's fuel cell system. Charlie Freese, GM's executive director of fuel cell activities, has written a post on the Fastlane blog that expands on some of what we said regarding the cost of the fuel cell system used in the Project Driveway Chevy Equinoxes.

GM has revealed some of the specific details of the latest generation system compared to the four-year-old system used in the Equinox. Freese explains that the fuel cell system is now at a stage where the engineers are working diligently to reduce the cost and bring it to parity with more conventional systems, something that should happen in the next few years.

Gallery: General Motors Generation V fuel cell stack

Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: GM Fastlane Blog]

GM fuel cell boss explains that the technology needs to past the final cost hurdle to production originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Three Japanese Hydrogen Cars Make 1,100 Kilometer Fun Run

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:29:00 GMT

This is a story that has slipped under the radar of most mainstream news outlets and there are very few details about this event. But, Toyota, Nissan and Honda have decided that today they will take their fuel cell cars on a 1,100 kilometer (683 miles) fun run.

The cars will leave Toyko and travel to Fukuoka and will demonstrate that their refueling range is similar that or exceed that of gasoline-powered cars. The cars participating in this run will be the Honda FCX Clarity, Toyota FCHV-adv, and Nissan X-Trail FCV.

The Japanese fuel cell fun run started today after senior government officials and Toyota, Nissan and Honda executives held a ceremony at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Tokyo to mark the occasion.

The fuel cell vehicles have hit the roadways today and are expected at the Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture on Thursday. Over the two-day journey the hydrogen cars will refuel twice and the drivers will stay overnight in Osaka.

I’ve talked about the Japanese Hydrogen Highway before and especially the expansion of Japan’s hydrogen highway system. This event will help promote and prove to the Japanese people that the future of hydrogen cars is very, very close.

Nominate Now! Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Disruptive innovation hasn't been a driving force of the modern energy industry, but today it is becoming the norm. To celebrate the companies, business leaders and cutting edge state and local governments that are leading this new wave of innovation, RenewableEnergyWorld.com is rolling out its inaugural Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards -- and we want you to participate.

Competing Technologies within Hydrogen Car Community

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:20:00 GMT

Not only is the hydrogen car industry being pressured by outside competition such as electric cars and those that run on biofuels, but there is competition within the hydrogen car industry itself. Many people are anxious to get going on building a supporting infrastructure to support hydrogen cars.

Yet others balk at the idea, when the hydrogen production and distribution for cars has not been standardized yet. The positive aspect of standardization is that it speeds up the plan of getting from point A to point B more quickly. The negative aspect of standardization is picking technological winners at the expense of retarding growth of competition.

Below is a list of competition within the hydrogen car industry itself at present, which will show why many companies are slow to commit to building out an H2 refueling infrastructure.

• Hydrogen fuel cells versus H2 Internal Combustion Engines (H2ICE)
• Compressed hydrogen gas versus a hydrogen rich chemical compound carrier
• Use of hydrogen pipelines, trucks, tankers for transport versus hydrogen on demand at or near the pump
• Hydrogen on demand inside or outside the vehicle
• Centralized versus decentralized creation of hydrogen and distribution of H2
• Methods for creating mass quantities of hydrogen such as steam reforming natural gas, high temperature cracking of water, electrolysis of water, use of algae or microbes to create H2
• Who will build, distribute and install hydrogen pumps? Government, Big Oil, big chemical companies or specialty gas companies
• Hydrogen fueling stations versus home hydrogen fueling pumps

Standardization versus invention of new technologies is certainly a consideration for upstart companies wanting to join the race for a nationwide rollout of hydrogen cars. Perhaps the transition to hydrogen cars will involve a short evolutionary process of best technologies similar to the transition from Betamax to VHS to DVD’s or records to 8-track tapes to cassette taps to CD’s?

The rapid advancement of technology will by itself create winners and losers in the marketplace. Many companies will adapt to changing market conditions and some won’t. But, the important part is to keep pushing on all hydrogen development fronts and eventually let the market itself decide the shortest path to the commercial rollout of hydrogen cars.

Clean Energy Patent Growth Index 3rd. Quarter 2009

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti P.C. is pleased to announce results for the third quarter of 2009 for the Clean Energy Patent Growth Index (CEPGI) by the firm's Cleantech Group.

Czech Hydrogen Fueling Station Open for Business

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:21:00 GMT

The first Czech hydrogen fueling station has opened its door for operation in Neratovice, central Bohemia. This adds one more H2 fueling station to the European Union Hydrogen Highway system.

The Czech Republic borders Austria to the south and Germany to the west, which both have multiple hydrogen fueling stations. The new Czech H2 station expands the reach of the EU hydrogen highway system.

After 3 years and $3 million Euros the station was finally completed by Linde Gas and the Czech Nuclear Research Institute. Annually the station has the capability of pumping six tons of hydrogen gas.

The new hydrogen fueling station will be used at first to refuel the TriHyBus which runs on fuel cells, ultracapacitors and batteries. So, if you are in the area any time soon Czech it out and report back your findings.

An Incentive in Every Pot: The Race for New Energy-Related Federal Cash Grants

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Not even Franklin Delano Roosevelt could have imagined the scope and breadth of the current federal programs to stimulate the economy. Some of the new federal programs require standing in a different kind of line -- a line to obtain grants set aside for energy-related projects and, unlike the FDR programs, it appears to be the race goes to the swift.

Hydrogen Buses Arriving for 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:45:00 GMT

B.C. Transit has announced that the first of 20 hydrogen fuel cell buses will arrive in about a week and a half, on November 17 in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. The first bus will arrive next Monday and will be in service for passengers the following week.

Whistler, BC is one of the end points in the British Columbia Hydrogen Highway system. When complete, visitors will be able to travel from Whistler to Squamish to Surrey to Vancouver to Richmond and then to Victoria and back. The 2010 Winter Olympics will take place in Vancouver, BC.

The other 19 hydrogen fuel cell buses will arrive in Whistler before the end of December where they will undergo commissioning and servicing. So far, tests of the fuel cell buses have proven that they can be in service for 22 hours straight and hold up under temperatures of -20C, which may come into play when the 2010 Winter Olympics start in February 2010.

In fact, as of this writing it is only 98 days until the 2010 Winter Olympics and the Olympic torch is already on the road being relayed from one city to the next. And getting a jump on the 2012 London Summer Olympics, the UK is readying its largest city for five hydrogen fuel cell buses and six hydrogen fueling stations.

London’s Mayor Boris Johnson would also like to have 150 hydrogen cars including 20 hydrogen fuel cell black taxis ready by 2012 as well. As for the five hydrogen buses in the UK, they are expected to be completed by the summer of 2010.

U.S. DOE Hydrogen Program Still Alive and Kicking

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:41:00 GMT

Back in May 2009, I had talked about how the head of the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) Steven Chu wanted to zero out the budget for hydrogen car development. In the weeks and months to follow Congressional representatives restored this funding. And amidst slumping car sales all major automakers have said they will continue with their hydrogen car programs.

But, one has to wonder if the DOE is now really motivated to continue to fund hydrogen car development? Motivated or not, it looks like they are proceeding with the National Hydrogen Energy Roadmap developed in 2002 and the Hydrogen Posture Plan developed in 2006.

In fact, according to the DOE, they have decided to accelerate the timeframes outlined in these two plans, “The Energy Hydrogen Program is making progress towards the goal of a 2015 commercialization decision on hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles and the infrastructure to fuel them through an aggressive research program that accelerates the timeline for resolving technical and economic barriers. Energy’s Hydrogen Posture Plan, outlines the activities, milestones, and deliverables Energy plans to pursue to support America's shift to a hydrogen-based transportation energy system.”

In August 2009, the DOE announced $2.3 billion in tax credits, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act), for manufacturers of clean energy equipment (hydrogen included).

In September 2009 the DOE announced the H-Prize competition including a $1 million award for companies that develop a breakthrough in hydrogen storage methods. On October 30, 2009, the DOE put out a request for information for H-Prize participants regarding performance and cost of storage systems for near-term, early market fuel cell applications.

So, even though in May this year, the future of hydrogen cars was looking hazy at best, from a government perspective, it looks as if the DOE has bitten the bullet and proceeded down the path for early commercialization of H2 vehicles.

Chemists Describe Solar Energy Progress And Challenges, Including The 'Artificial Leaf'

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Scientists are making progress toward development of an "artificial leaf" that mimics a real leaf's chemical magic with photosynthesis -- but instead converts sunlight and water into a liquid fuel such as methanol for cars and trucks.

OSV Viking Lady FellowSHIP Project Onboard and On course for Commercialization

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:53:00 GMT

The OSV Viking Lady is a ship of fuels, so to speak, or to be more accurate a ship of fuel cells. As part of the FellowSHIP (Fuel Cells for Low Emissions Ships) project, the OSV Viking Lady was first launched in 2003 and now is close to commercialization for the maritime industry.

The FellowSHIP project is a Joint Industry Project managed by Det Norske Veritas (DNV), Offshore, Wärtsilä Ship Power, Eidesvik. MTU Onsite Energy and Wärtsilä Ship Design. According to DNV, “The third and final phase of the project, intends to be testing, qualifying and demonstrating a main fuel cell electric system, delivering between 1MW to 4MW of power.

“The success of the project so far has raised expectations that fuel cell technology is close to a commercial application and has resulted in a regulatory review to establish frameworks for moving the technology forward.”

Because most of the traffic from large cargo carrying ships takes place 250 miles or less from the coastline of a given country, pollution and especially particulate matter is of considerable concern. By cleaning up emissions from ships, that mostly run on diesel fuel, with a zero emissions alternative, this will go a long way towards cleaning the air we breathe.

Green Car Congress describes the fuel cell used aboard the OSV Viking Lady, “MTU CFC Solutions is providing a ‘Hot Module’ fuel cell stack. In the Hot Module, incoming liquefied natural gas (the fuel gas in this case) is fed to the vertically-installed flow channels of the anodes via a gas distribution device. The horizontal fuel cell stack is sealed below through gravity. At a temperature of about 650 °C, the natural gas and steam split off the hydrogen needed on the anodes (internal reforming).”

I’ve talked about hydrogen boats and hydrogen ships in the past, but the OSV Viking Lady is the largest ship to date to take on the task of using H2 fuel cells to clean up our coasts with zero emissions and now its clean sailing full speed ahead.

Toward Home-brewed Electricity With 'Personalized Solar Energy'

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:00:00 GMT

New scientific discoveries are moving society toward the era of "personalized solar energy," in which the focus of electricity production shifts from huge central generating stations to individuals in their own homes and communities.

STUDY: Lots of local, green electricity possible for most of the U.S.

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:59:00 GMT

Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Hydrogen, Solar, Green Daily, USA

One of the reasons that a vehicle powered by something other than gasoline is such a popular idea in the U.S. is that it helps us become less reliant on other countries for our transportation needs. To this end, biofuels and electric vehicles offer great potential to use local sources of energy in our vehicles. To get a handle on how much green electricity - wind, geothermal, solar, etc. - is available in the U.S., the Insitute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) has conducted a study on renewable energy potential and came away with some amazing figures. The Energy Self-Reliant States study found that 31 states have the potential to produce more renewable energy in-state than they currently use and that another ten could make more than 75 of the amount. The state with the worst potential, Kentucky, could still meet 24 percent of its electricity needs using renewable energy.

The big problem with all of this potential is the cost of setting up the renewable energy production devices. Solar panels are not cheap, and wind farms have their own opponents. While no one expects Texas, for example, to make 533 percent more energy than it needs using renewable sources, ILSR shows that it's at least possible, and that should give hope to EV proponents (no more coal-powered grid!) and hydrogen vehicle fans (electrolyze water with green energy!) alike. Download the PDF of the study and see for yourself.

[Source: ISLR via Treehugger]

STUDY: Lots of local, green electricity possible for most of the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota to launch battery electric vehicle in 2012, fuel cell in 2015

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:58:00 GMT

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Hydrogen, Toyota

Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota brand, came to Detroit on Monday to have lunch with some local media. Among the topics of discussion at the gathering were Toyota's plans for zero emissions vehicles.

Since last January, Toyota has shown two different plug-in battery powered concepts, the FT-EV and the FT-EV II, both of which were small city cars. Carter confirmed that Toyota would introduce a battery electric car in 2012. What he declined to elaborate on was what type of car it would be, although he did say the EV would not look like either of the concepts. Odds are the BEV will be a city car of some kind though. When asked if he thought EVs could hit 10 percent of the market by 2020, Carter replied, "the technology has to advance much further than it is today to hit 10 percent of the market."

Carter reiterated that internal combustion and hybrids would remain the primary motivators for some time to come although the company was still committed to fuel cells as well. Toyota would like to have a fuel cell vehicle on the market by 2015 if there is a reasonable network of filling stations.

Toyota will start deploying its test fleet of 500 plug-in Priuses around the end of November to commercial and government fleets in Japan, North America and Europe. According the Carter, the lithium ion battery Prius can run electrically at speeds up to 62 mph for up to 5 miles. It's not clear if the car can actually accelerate from a standstill to the speed without running the engine, that will have to wait until we have a chance to try one out.

[Source: Green Fuels Forecast]

Toyota to launch battery electric vehicle in 2012, fuel cell in 2015 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gensler Hydrogenerator Sparks Chicago's Bloomingdale Trail

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:54:00 GMT

Gensler Design along with 4240 Architecture has just won a silver Spark Award for design excellence in transforming a 3-mile section of one of Chicago’s abandoned railway lines (pictured left) into a solar and Hydrogenerator powered farm and trail way.

The idea is to transform the old Bloomingdale railroad viaduct that runs through the heart of the city into a power generating park that supplies schools and hydrogen cars with energy and fuel. The previously elevated train has been abandoned since the 1980’s.

The previously mentioned design companies along with the Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail see the project as a walking trail, a way to provide food for local residents, a method to supply electricity to local schools and a way to supply fuel for hydrogen cars.

Atop the viaduct are translucent solar panels which feed electricity below ground at various intervals to buried tanks of water, electrolyzers and fuel cells. The water that is electrolyzed into hydrogen and oxygen is then run through a fuel cell to supply power for local schools.

The excess hydrogen is used in refueling stations along the route to top off H2 to fuel cell vehicles. At ground level is both a walking trail and farmland in which crops can be grown to feed local residents.

According to Gensler design director Brian Vitale, “A highly visible beacon day or night, the Hydrogenerator stands as a symbol for a new paradigm that involves examining abandoned and underused infrastructure for new energy bearing technologies. The more local, the more clean the energy, the more stable and healthy the society.”

In the past, I’ve talked about both Hyrail and Hydrail as two concepts for putting hydrogen-powered trains within the public transportation system. The Hydrogenerator system (pictured above right) does not plan to do this, however, but rather reuse abandoned train infrastructure with greener alternatives. With now President Obama, a famous Chicagoan, at the helm we might just see this Hydrogenerator project get funding.

China: Expand or Build your Business

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Highlights: - Support and drive development in the environmental technology and clean energy - sectors; - Fresh perspectives from thought leaders and business heads; - Essential strategy information needed for prospective investors and deal-makers

Editorial: Henderson's fuel cell 10X cost comments are out of context

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:55:00 GMT

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Hydrogen, GM, AutoblogGreen Exclusive

The other day we reported on an interview with General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson published in the Washington Post. While most of the discussion focused on the bailout and bankruptcy, from the perspective of this site, the main items of interest were Henderson's responses to questions relating the to the cost of the Chevy Volt and hydrogen fuel cells. Much has been made of Henderson saying that the Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell used for the Project Driveway program cost 10 times the Volt's approximately $40,000 price.

The problem here is that Henderson's numbers are taken out of context and mean nothing in and of themselves. This is a total apples to oranges comparison. The Volt is expected to carry a sticker price of somewhere around $40,000 at launch. That price will be reduced for customers by a federal tax credit of $7,500 along with whatever state incentives are available. However, that does not necessarily reflect the cost to build the extended range EV, which will likely be somewhat higher than $40k at launch. More important to this discussion is the fact that the Volt is also designed and engineered for mass production meaning that it is cheaper in all respects than the Equinox FCV. Keep reading after the jump.

Gallery: 2008 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell

Gallery: Chevrolet Volt 65% drive

Continue reading Editorial: Henderson's fuel cell 10X cost comments are out of context

Editorial: Henderson's fuel cell 10X cost comments are out of context originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hydrogen Fuel Cell Forklifts for Whole Foods

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:43:00 GMT

The green grocery store, Whole Foods Markets, which started operations in Austin, Texas in 1980 has decided to pilot a set of hydrogen fuel cell forklifts at one of their distribution centers in Maryland.

Now, I’ve talked about forklifts for grocers before such as H-E-B Corporation and Wegmans Food Markets. Whole Foods going with hydrogen forklifts makes even more sense since they promote themselves as a “natural food market” and according to their website, “We search for the highest quality, least processed, most flavorful and natural foods possible because we believe that food in its purest state — unadulterated by artificial additives, sweeteners, colorings and preservatives — is the best tasting and most nutritious food there is.”

So, it makes sense that a green grocers such as Whole Foods would want to go with zero emission forklifts since this represents the values that the company tries to promote. But, going with hydrogen fuel cell forklifts has also made economic sense because of a grant from the Department of Energy to forklift maker GENCO, which made the fuel cell forklifts cheaper than those powered by lead-acid batteries.

And there is another economic incentive as well and that is in regard to man-hours spent servicing hydrogen forklifts compared to those equipped with lead-acid batteries. Joe Strong from Whole Foods estimates the workforce will spend 250 hours a year refueling and servicing hydrogen forklifts and knows from past experience that the same crew typically spends around 4,000 man hours a years swapping batteries and servicing lead-acid battery forklifts.

By switching to fuel cell forklifts the company expects to save at least 80-percent in emissions. There is a video worth seeing that shows the hydrogen forklifts being refueled at the Whole Foods distribution center.

Powerful Laser Sheds Light On Fast Ignition And High Energy Density Physics

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:00:00 GMT

A new generation of high-energy (>kJ) petawatt (HEPW) lasers is being constructed worldwide to study high intensity laser matter interactions, including fast ignition.

Funding a Diverse Portfolio of Clean Vehicle and Energy Technologies is Right Choice for America

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:00:00 GMT

The comprehensive approach to advancing transportation and clean energy technologies embodied in the energy spending bill signed by President Obama this week is the best way to assure that the nation ends its dependence on imported fuels and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, three international trade associations said today.

Where are the Swing Voters on the Climate Bill?

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:00:00 GMT

As the Senate environment committee starts to hold hearings on the climate change bill, we think there's one critical question for the senators: Who are you talking to?

REPORT: Suzuki to put hydrogen two-wheelers into production

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 03:29:00 GMT

Filed under: Hydrogen, Suzuki, On Two Wheels

Suzuki fuel cell concepts at the Tokyo Motor Show - Click above for high-res image gallery

Suzuki and Intelligent Energy have been working on hydrogen fuel cell-powered two-wheelers for the last few years, with the Crosscage, their first public concept, debuting back in 2007 at the Tokyo Motor Show. Then, earlier this year, we heard rumblings that Suzuki hoped to have its first production hydrogen cycle ready within the next 12 months.

Falling right in line with those expectations, Suzuki unveiled a new concept just last week at the most recent show in Tokyo, and instead of using a pie-in-the-sky motorcycle chassis with single-sided suspension bits that have little chance of actual production, the Japanese company placed its proprietary fuel cell and storage system in a regular old Burgman scooter.

Now, Wired reports that we can expect these hydrogen two-wheelers in production in very short order. Says Dr. Henri Winand, CEO of Intelligent Energy, "These clean fuel cell engine-powered motorcycles are not simply for motor shows, and can be widely available to everyone in the near future."

If that does indeed take place, as cool as the Crosscage may be, we'd expect the initial offering to take a form similar to the conceptual Burgman scooter. We'll know for sure soon enough.

Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Suzuki Fuel Cell Concepts

[Source: Wired]

REPORT: Suzuki to put hydrogen two-wheelers into production originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nickel-Hydrogen Batteries for Hydrogen Cars?

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:42:00 GMT

Now days most models of hydrogen fuel cell cars come with some sort of hybrid or plug-in hybrid batteries to increase mileage and range of the vehicle. The major automakers have come to realizing that the marrying of these two technologies (fuel cells and batteries) will be a winning combination for years to come.

Battery electric vehicles (BEV) require a vast recharging infrastructure to be built plus beefing up the electric grid to support millions of BEV’s will be no easy task. Likewise, fuel cell only cars will require a vast hydrogen fueling infrastructure to be built to support millions of cars.

But, what if we could split the energy needs between hydrogen used as fuel and electricity stored in batteries? This would require that two different sets of infrastructures be built (hydrogen refueling and electrical charging stations) but these two infrastructures together would be much smaller than the current gasoline infrastructure plus this would not put as big of a strain on the electrical grid as BEV’s alone would.

Right now the batteries of choice for hybrid cars are either lead-acid or lithium ion with some form of lithium ion seen as the future of hybrids, plug-in hybrids and BEV’s. But, what if nickel-hydrogen (NiH2) batteries were to take over the market instead? What if future hydrogen fuel cell cars were also powered by nickel-hydrogen batteries as well?

What brought this to mind was an article I read yesterday about how Panasonic has decided to reduce its stake in a joint venture with Toyota in developing batteries for hybrid cars. The battery of choice is not lithium ion but rather nickel-hydrogen.

Now, NASA has been using hydrogen as a propellant for years for their spacecraft. NASA has also used hydrogen fuel cells to power onboard systems and supply drinking water for the astronauts.
But, NASA has also been at the forefront of developing nickel-hydrogen batteries for use in spacecraft especially satellites.

According to the Florida State University website, “The nickel-hydrogen battery has a nickel oxide positive electrode similar to the nickel-cadmium cell, and is like the hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell since it has a hydrogen negative electrode. This hybrid battery has a long cycle life, high specific energy, high power density, and also exhibits tolerance for overcharge, and is therefore the choice battery in many aerospace applications, especially geo-synchronous (GEO) and low earth-orbit (LEO) satellites. In addition, the battery's hydrogen pressure is a good indicator of the charge state of the battery.” The nickel-hydrogen battery from the FSU website is pictured above.

Now, yes there are some hydrogen car purists who would not like to see batteries of any kind used on H2 cars for supplemental energy. At the other extreme are BEV enthusiasts who thumb their noses at plug-in hybrids and anything that is not lithium ion. But, meeting in the middle are those who see the value of hydrogen plug-in hybrid vehicles as the integration of the best of technologies we have today and most probably for decades to come.

For more reading about nickel-hydrogen batteries see:

http://www.aero.org/publications/thaller/thaller-1.html

http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/Xplore/login.jsp?url=/iel3/62/3208/00103781.pdf?arnumber=103781

http://pdf.aiaa.org/jaPreview/JE/1982/PVJAPRE62569.pdf

http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1993STIN…9413265D

http://www.electrochem.org/dl/ma/206/pdfs/1465.pdf

http://www.nasa.gov/offices/oce/llis/0568.html

Scientists Work On Briefcase Size Hydrogen Storage for Vehicles

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:25:00 GMT

University of Massachusetts, Amherst scientists have discovered a new way of storing hydrogen that may reduce fuel tank size to that of a briefcase. Using computer modeling and carbon nanotube technology that researchers have shown that it is possible to design a hydrogen storage tank that stores nearly 100-percent H2 atomically plus nearly 8-percent by weight. This exceeds the U. S. DOE (Department of Energy) target for the year 2010.

What makes this storage technology special is the “less is more” philosophy. The carbon nanotubes that are arranged in bundles bond with hydrogen gas. Heat is applied to release the hydrogen bonded with the nanotubes. One of the shortcomings of past experiments has been that the nanotubes have been too thick and swell, when heat is applied, trapping much of the hydrogen rather than releasing it.

What the U of M, Amherst scientists have discovered it that by making the carbon nanotubes thinner, they can bond with more hydrogen and even after swelling will release nearly 100-percent of the H2. This is still at the computer modeling stage so the system has yet to be proven.

But, if and when this method is proven to be practical, this will help solve one of the largest issues facing hydrogen cars, which is the use of small H2 storage tanks that hold enough hydrogen so a car can travel 300 miles before refueling. Is this so far fetched? Not at all.

Over the past several years, Honda has reduced the size of its fuel cell stack (currently used in the FCX Clarity) in half. Also, the next generation of fuel cell system designed by General Motors is 220 lbs. lighter than the previous version.

As fuel cell systems and hydrogen storage tanks become more robust and compact, major hurdles of going towards an H2 transportation system are being left in the dust.

SEPA Commends Florida Power & Light for Largest US Solar Facility

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC – The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) commends Florida Power & Light (FPL) and SunPower for the completion of the DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center in Arcadia, Florida. The facility will overtake Nevada's Nellis Solar Power Plant for the title of largest solar photovoltaic facility in North America. Constructed in less than a year, the DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center uses over 90,000 photovoltaic panels to turn the sun's rays into electricity to power more than 3,000 homes.

We Actually Can?!

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:00:00 GMT

As a researcher and writer, one naturally gets to read a few books. However, I was absolutely astonished to find that it was one of my own, A Renewable World, that actually gave me, for the first time as a professional environmentalist, real hope. I read the new book cover to cover, and when I finished it, was left with an overwhelming sense that "we actually can pull this out of the fire!"

SEPA Announces Winners: 2009 Solar Business Achievement Awards

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Anaheim, CA—The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) today announced the results of the 2009 SEPA Solar Business Achievement Awards. In the midst of today's challenging solar market conditions, the SEPA Board of Directors and staff are proud to recognize these utilities and solar companies who are responding to these challenges with action and innovation. Winners were selected in five categories based upon their demonstation of clear vision and imaginative business strategies. Nominees for the awards included one utility CEO, electric utilities, and solar companies from SEPA's 700 plus member companies across the U.S. and the world. Recognition of CEO of the Year winner, Don Brandt of Arizona Public Service, will take place today at 10:30 am in room 202 of the Anaheim Convention Center during the Press Conference. Winners in the remaining categories will be recognized during SEPA's Annual Membership Meeting, tomorrow, October 29, at 12:30 pm in Ballroom C of the Anaheim Convention Center, in conjunction with Solar Power International

Equinox fuel cell vehicles ready for Vancouver Olympics; Volts due in February

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:58:00 GMT

Filed under: Hydrogen, Chevrolet

Chevrolet Equinox - Click above for high-res image gallery

Vancouver continues its two-fold path towards reducing gasoline usage (H₂ and plug-ins) with a new fleet of eight Chevrolet Equinox fuel cell vehicles that will used during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The Games start February 12. The fuel cell vehicles are being used for test drives now and will shuttle athletes, journalists, organizers and more around town during the Olympics, part of a GM fleet that is made up of over 4,600 vehicles. The hydrogen-powered Equinoxes were engineered and made in Canada. Come February, GM will also send two Chevy Volts ~~to steal the show~~ for PR duty. The GM vehicles will operate in town until the Games are finished.

Gallery: 2008 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell

[Source: GM]

Continue reading Equinox fuel cell vehicles ready for Vancouver Olympics; Volts due in February

Equinox fuel cell vehicles ready for Vancouver Olympics; Volts due in February originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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"CleanTech: Transfer & Innovations & Investments & Manufacturing"

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:00:00 GMT

SEPA Boosts Solar Electric Power Build-out with New Resources

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Online solar tools and other resources customized for utility executives, employees and solar industry leaders