EHA Newsletter January 2012

Green Gardening with the Fuel Cell EcoMotion Truck

The EcoMotion Truck is a mobile power station, powered by two high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFC) that run on methanol. The HT-PEMFC allow for a simplified balance of plant and improved carbon monoxide tolerance, which makes it possible to use liquid methanol as fuel. This is reformed into hydrogen-rich gas internally in the system. The system developed by Serenergy is the first commercially available mobile RMFC (reformed methanol fuel cell) system in the world, based on HT-PEMFC technology.
The fuel cell truck was tested by gardeners in the grounds of Holstebro Cemeteries (Denmark), where it has three key advantages: its near-silent operation, low emissions and the fact that it does not require constant recharging. Gardeners can operate the EcoMotion for up to a week before the ten litre fuel tank needs refilling.

TEN-T Call for Proposals Open January 10th 2012

The European Commission’s Trans-European Transport Networks TEN-T Programme is one of the most important Community financing means for European transport infrastructure projects — equalling €8 billion for 2007–2013.
January 10th 2012 the call was officially opened for proposals until 13 APRIL 2012.

The Public Information day is scheduled for 31 January in Brussels. For more information on the event and the TEN-T Call see: TEN-T Webpage

The call can serve as a good basis for proposal for deployment of hydrogen infrastructure projects. 
 

Aberdeen City Council Backs Hydrogen Transport Project

Aberdeen city councilors have unanimously agreed to support a multi-million pound European project to introduce hydrogen buses in the North-east. The expectation is that the Strategic European Hydrogen Transport Projects will stimulate further innovative hydrogen technology projects and high-level investment in the area, realising Aberdeen’s aspiration of becoming a world-leading hydrogen city.
The project will see the first hydrogen bus deployment in Scotland, with up to a dozen buses operating in the North-east. The bus fleet, which will operate on routes into central Aberdeen, will be the largest in any European city.
The buses will be refuelled at Scotland’s first large hydrogen refuelling station which will supply locally generated gas and be able to refuel hydrogen-powered cars as they become available. The city council has secured £9.2million of EU funding towards the projects, has committed to contribute £2million over four years and will secure a further £9.3million of funding from project partners.
At a meeting of the Full Council, councillors approved the authority’s participation in the High V.Lo City, HyTransit, HyTrEc and LOWCAP cluster projects, subject to securing 90% of additional funding from external partners.