Hydrogen Hits the Roads

Following the national H2Mobility initiatives that have been started across Europe in Germany, UK, France, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Portugal. The US Department of Energy (DOE) on May 13, 2013 launched H2USA. Structured as a public-private partnership, H2USA,  will focus on advancing hydrogen infrastructure to support more transportation energy options for US consumers, including fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). David Danielson, Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy indicated that “fuel cell technologies are an important part of an all-of-the-above approach to diversify America’s transportation sector, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and increase our competitiveness in the global market. By bringing together key stakeholders from across the U.S. fuel cell and hydrogen industry, the H2USA partnership will help advance affordable fuel cell electric vehicles that save consumers money and give drivers more options.” The new partnership brings together automakers, government agencies, gas suppliers, and the hydrogen and fuel cell industries to coordinate research and identify cost-effective solutions to deploy infrastructure that can deliver affordable, clean hydrogen fuel in the United States.Current members of the H2USA partnership include the American Gas Association; Association of Global Automakers; the California Fuel Cell Partnership; the Electric Drive Transportation Association; the Fuel Cell [...]

A report of the U.S. Department of Energy indicates, that in warehouses operating for two or three shifts a day, hydrogen-powered forklift trucks can be used at a lower cost than conventional battery-powered material handling equipment. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, a unit of the Department of Energy of the United States, published an evaluation of the total cost of ownership of fuel cell-powered material handling equipment (MHE). In the report, the operating costs of fuel cell MHE and battery-powered MHE were assessed and compared. The assessment included the capital costs of fuel cell and battery systems, as well as the costs of supporting infrastructure, maintenance, warehouse space and labour. The evaluation was for three classes of MHE: Class I and II forklift trucks (three- and four-wheel, sit-down, counter-balanced forklifts) and Class III forklift trucks (so-called pallet jacks). The Department of Energy provided funds for the deployment of fuel cell forklift trucks at eight commercial warehousing and distribution centres of large companies, such as Coca-Cola, FedEx and Kimberly Clark. More than 500 MHE units were deployed this way and tested in the conditions of intensive operation at 2-3 shifts per day, 6-7 days a week. In addition, more than 100 [...]

Dick Benschop, President and CEO of  Shell Nederland, on the occasion of the launch of the  29th edition of the Shell Eco-marathon, indicated that Shell is reviving its hydrogen actvities in view of the fuel cell vehicle roll out of the main car companies in the coming years.  Team H2A, the Dutch record holder in the hydrogen category of the Ecomarathon joined 200 teams from 24 European countries in Rotterdam this year to try to accumulate as many km with one liter of petrol. EHA member Linde is supplying hydrogen to all hydrogen cars at the event.

On 22 April 2013, the Representation of the European Commission in Poland hosted a seminar on the “Clean Power for Transport” package, adopted by the Commission in January. Jose Fernandez Garcia from the DG Transport presented the proposal of the Directive on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure. As a result of the Directive, Poland will be obliged to build 460 000 charging stations for electric vehicles (currently 300) until 2020, for the estimated cost of €460 million. The proposal also requires the minimum distance between the hydrogen refueling points on the main Trans-European Networks to be 300 kilometers. This is to ensure, that in the countries where such infrastructure already exists, the circulation of hydrogen-fueled vehicles will become possible within the entire territory. Given that Poland does not yet have any hydrogen infrastructure, it will not be obliged to provide refueling stations until at least 2020. Around 30 vehicles and energy industry representatives gathered at the seminar. They were mostly interested in the LNG and CNG sector and during the discussion, they proposed stricter requirements for the deployment of CNG and LNG refueling points, so that the new requirements would stimulate the development of these technologies. Besides that, the [...]

The FellowSHIP Project, joint industry R&D project experimenting with fully integrated fuel cells on board vessels and offshore platforms – said today that it is entering into the third phase of its research that will integrate battery pack power directly into the vessels power system providing a true hybrid experience. Since 2009, the Eidesvik Offshore-owned Viking Lady has run for more than 18,500 hours powered by a complement of LNG-fuel and onboard fuel cell technology with an electrical output of 330 kW.  The combination has already made her one of the world’s most environmentally friendly ships and now the FellowSHIP project plans on taking its potential even further by introducing energy storage capabilities directly to the energy system, versus through the external fuel cell that was installed previously. Once the battery pack is in place, the Viking Lady will operate using a hybrid system with the potential for even higher emission reductions and shorter return on investment. “We know that the hybrid system will reduce the energy consumption” says Bjørn-Johan Vartdal, Project Manager from Det Norske Veritas (DNV), one of three partners making up the FellowSHIP project team.  “When operating, for example, on dynamic positioning, there will be a major fuel saving potential. When in harbour, too, the ship [...]

Aston Martin at the famous Nurburgring, has completed the world’s first hydrogen powered zero emission lap of the 24km Nordschleife circuit. The company’s chief executive officer, Dr Ulrich Bez, took to the wheel of a prototype Aston Martin Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S (pictured) ahead of a formal record breaking attempt at the Nurburgring next month when the vehicle will complete against a  field of more than 200 GT cars in the 24hr race. The Aston Martin Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S is based on Aston Martin’s new four-seat sports car and runs on 3.5kg of hydrogen. The mulit fuel vehicle is able to run on pure petrol; pure gaseous hydrogen; or a blend of the two..

As the main stakeholders convened in Brussels at an important EC meeting on the role of hydrogen in energy policy (see EHA in Action)  11 leading companies in Europe have joined forces in the newly established North Sea Power to Gas Platform

Energy, Generation and Supply KTN, in collaboration with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association and the Transport KTN, has launched the first UK Hydrogen Capabilities Online Map.  The Map showcases the breadth hydrogen infrastructure and associated activities, and will develop and grow as infrastructure and capability evolves. With over 70 data points, the Map covers a range of hydrogen related activities in the UK Hydrogen Refuelling Stations – with information on status, accessibility, station type and manufacturer: indicated by blue markers; Hydrogen Productions Plants – with information on availability, process / source of hydrogen and operator: indicated by green markers; Hydrogen Research Facilities categorised into five key areas of expertise (hydrogen production, hydrogen storage, hydrogen safety, scenarios & demonstrations, and hydrogen end-use): indicated by yellow markers; and Technology Strategy Board funded Demonstration Projects – a brief summary of the five projects funded for the period 2012-2015: indicated by pink markers. This Map builds on the success of the first UK Hydrogen Capabilities Map in banner format which was developed in January 2012 for the launch of the UK H2Mobility project - the Government and cross industry programme to make hydrogen powered travel in the [...]

The number of exhibitors at the 19th H2 an FC Group exhibit at the Hannover Fair this year featuring solutions for the use of hydrogen as energy storage and energy management medium has been significant this year. Especially the presence of many SME in this sector is demonstrating that new local industrial value chains could be developed to combine the use of local clean energy solutions with clean transport. Several sessions included speakers from national infrastructure programs and EU projects, facilitated by the Joint Undertaking for fuel cells and hydrogen who was present as well.  Power to gas will need to be translated however to clean power to the people as the EHA was demonstrating in its stand inviting visitors to indicate on a large map where they would like to see a clean hydrogen station built. At the Hannover Fair Drive & Ride Linde and ITM Power demonstrated mobile refuelling station solutions. HyER for the first time this year in the Metropolitan Solutions Hall that was not as crowded this year….are local authorities overwhelmed by the EU ambition on alternative fuel infrastructure targets?

Germans are ready for cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells, but are concerned about cost and the potential to refuel. A survey by the Independent Institute for Environmental Issues (UfU) questioned more than 2,500 German citizens about their views on hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in relation to the cars they drive. Fuel cells work by using a platinum catalyst to generate power without generating toxic emissions. Almost three-quarters of those polled had heard of cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells, but just 3% had driven one. Most of those polled were in favour of hydrogen cars (63%), with only 3% against the technology, and 85% said they think it would make them feel good to drive without compromising the environment.