Proof the hydrogen economy is real, now?

How to fuel the hydrogen highway?

You've received the e-mail, heard the stories, etc. - 'Power your car with water.' I think even MotorTrend's Technologue even wrote about this once, but now you can see a video that shows how a new form of electrolysis could convert just a few ounces of water into more than 100 miles worth of fuel, according to the inventor.

Is it fact or fiction? How much electricity is required? Is there another catch, or is the world on the verge of hydrogen revolution? - Thanks for the link Noz!

Watch the video

Honda's bringing fuel cells home

Honda's plan to bypass the hydrogen highway?

There are now 2,200 homes in Japan that use fuel cells to convert natural gas into electricity and hot water. By 2020, Japan hopes to have one quarter of its homes powered by fuel cells (MSBNC). Who cares? Companies like Honda are planning to develop the fuel cell vehicle, such as the Honda Clarity, on the backs of similar home fuel cells.

Here in the US, decades of fuel cell promises have created fuel cell-haters, yet Japanese automakers are moving forward with fuel cell cars as if there is NO question fuel cells are the future, and home fueling stations appear to be a key to that future?

US automakers are already chasing Japan's hybrid cars. Are we going to chase their fuel cells, especially their home fuel cells as well?

Smart Grid versus Hydrogen Highway

A Honda Fuel Cell vehicle filling up with solar-hydrogen

Not long ago, I thought it was time to give up on fuel cell vehicles and the hydrogen highway in favor of plug-in hybrid vehicles. After driving some fuel cell vehicles, however, I realized the automotive side of the hydrogen economy was closer to reality than I believed, however, the hydrogen highway still seemed miles into the future because of costs.

But is the smart grid technology required for the plug-in hybrid revolution really that much cheaper? Read more...

Honda at NAIAS: Visionary or confused about fuel cell vehicles?

The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Vehicle next to the Home Fueling Station

When it comes to hybrid cars, currently, there are just two players: Toyota and Honda. Yesterday, I covered my irrational disappointment with Toyota (more). Today, I'm going to cover my disappointment with Honda.

Unlike Toyota, Honda has nothing to lose and everything to gain when it comes to hybrids, and Honda plans to soon challenge the Toyota Prius with a new hybrid. So, was this new hybrid at NAIAS? No. Instead Honda's loud and clear message was about fuel cell vehicles. Read more....

Technologue has second thoughts on hydrogen

It's all about the membrane?

Oh no. Here I go again talking about hydrogen and fuel cells.

Listen, I understand that there are a ton of reasons why either fuel cell hybrid vehicles will never happen or why other technologies, such as plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles, are more important now. Six months ago I was completely against fuel cell vehicles and the hydrogen economy, but a few fuel cell vehicle test drives opened my mind.

More important, however, I just believe that science and technology will find solutions to every problem with hydrogen, maybe even multiple solutions. One such possibility that made Technologue reconsider his hydrogen and fuel cell position is a new Power+Energy plan to power fuel cells with the dirty hydrogen created from petroleum production using a palladium alloy membrane. Read more...

Honda focused on fuel cell vehicles not electric vehicles

A Honda fuel cell vehicle filling up at a solar-hydrogen station

Yesterday, President Takeo Fukui told Jiji Press that Honda was going to focus on fuel cell vehicles instead of electric vehicles because "Honda has no plan to develop automobiles that can be used only in limited areas."

Citing overseas markets, short travel distance and recharging times Honda does not believe that short range electric vehicles provide an attractive solution worldwide.

Within 10 years Honda believes it could be mass-producing fuel cell vehicles, once an infrastructure for hydrogen fueling stations is resolved. To address that problem, Honda is focusing on home fueling stations that convert natural gas into hydrogen.

Recently, Honda showed off the second generation Honda Clarity FCX at the LA Auto Show, and the company plans to begin leasing a limited number of these fuel cell vehicles in 2008.

Chris Paine tells Green Hollywood Who Killed the Electric Car

Is the electric car really dead?

Yesterday, I was at the Hollywood Goes Green forum, and one of the most interesting sessions of the day was one titled Easy Rider: Fuel Usage, Energy Efficient Vehicles and Freight Options. Chris Paine, a member of the panel for this session, and his movie Who Killed the Electric Car took center stage.

As a fan of electric cars, I agree with Chris that, if you drive an electric vehicle, then you know that electric cars are the cars of the future. Nonetheless, I don't agree with Chris that anyone killed the electric car, nor that the electric car was killed by "resistance to change" from consumers, automakers and energy providers. Read more....

Iceland takes another step towards the hydrogen economy

Iceland opens first public hydrogen station

By the middle of this century, Iceland plans to be fossil fuel free. By converting geothermal and hydroelectric power sources into hydrogen, Iceland plans to be the world's first fully functional hydrogen economy.

"The future prospects for hydrogen are very bright," Jon Bjorn Skulason, general manager of Icelandic New Energy, told Reuters in an interview. "There is no other fuel in the world that fills the demands that fossil fuel fills today."

Now that's vision.

What's up with Honda's Clarity Fuel Cell PR Campaign?

Still years away from reality?

I'm not a big channel surfer when it comes to TV. In fact, I'm a pretty boring TV watcher, although I do watch a ton of TV. All day long, CNBC is on in the background, and numerous times per day, everyday, I see Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle commercials.

What's the deal, yo?

I love this car - it won my pick for the Best of the LA Auto Show. Still, Honda is only going to lease, at best, a few hundred of these vehicles in the next few years (that is just an educated guess). So, why so much PR?

Is Honda seeking a halo effect, much like the Prius brought to Toyota? Or, is this Honda's challenge to GM's Chevy Volt? Or, is Honda simply trying to create momentum for the creation of the hydrogen highway? Maybe it's all of the above?

Is this commercial only being shown in the LA area - the only area where you will be able to lease a Clarity? I'm a little unclear, but it seems a shockingly aggressive campaign.

Hydrogen Economy: Where's the buzz?

FCV's: Too much of a threat to the military-industrial Iron Triangle?

Fuel cell vehicles, such as the Chevy Equinox FCV, Honda FCX Clarity, and Toyota FCHV, captured a pretty big chunk of the spotlight at the LA Auto Show this year, but nobody really seemed to care.

Sure, fuel cell vehicles are expensive and there isn't yet a hydrogen infrastructure. In reality it would take 10's of billions dollars to kick start the hydrogen economy and to create enough tax incentives to make fuel cell vehicles affordable for consumers.

With such high costs, why not just focus on plug-in hybrid vehicles and pure electric vehicles anyway, the consensus seems to be saying these days.

How sad. How embarrassing for a country that used to be the world's leading auto manufacturer and technological leader. Does America have any future beyond consumption? Finish....

Mike Huckabee embarrassed by US addiction to oil

So, what will he do about it?

"Every time we put our credit card in the gas pump, we're paying so that the Saudis get rich - filthy, obscenely rich, and that money then ends up going to funding madrassas," schools "that train the terrorists," said Huckabee. "America has allowed itself to become enslaved to Saudi oil. It's absurd. It's embarrassing."

Huckabee said "I would make the United States energy independent within 10 years and tell the Saudis they can keep their oil just like they can keep their sand, that we won't need either one of them."(more)

After reading this article, I checked out the Mike Huckabee for President site, and I was disappointed with that I found. Few details.

It just seems ridiculous for politicians to make such statements. Without an extremely bold government initiative to develop tens of millions of hybrid cars, especially plug-in hybrid vehicles, and electric vehicles, etc., or to develop the hydrogen economy, it will be almost almost impossible to achieve energy independence in 10 years.

Bold visions require bold plans. Without a more detailed plan it just seems Huckabee is engaging in bold blah, blah, blah.

Did US automakers cry wolf on the hydrogen highway

Hyundai's Bibendum winning FCEV

There is a rumor in the automotive world that the US auto industry and its lobbyists have long convinced the US Congress and multiple executive branches that CAFE was an inhibitor to fuel cell vehicles and the hydrogen economy. This lobbying effort, the rumor claims, has gone on for decades, although it has weakened since 9/11, Iraq, Katrina, etc.

I don't know whether the rumor is real or not, but I've heard it many times from many different sources.

The real point, however, is that in many circles, such as those rounded out by environmentalists and energy security hawks, the hydrogen economy is now believed to be fiction, something that is always a decade or two away from reality - something I have also believed, until recently. Finish.....

India's Tata ramps up electric, fuel cell efforts

India's Tata Motors is thinking about the future

In 2008, India's Tata Motors will launch a mild hybrid version of the Indica, followed by a full-electric version for the European market in 2009 (more).

Additionally, the Economic Times is reporting that Tata Motors and ISRO Space Agency will partner to develop fuel cell hydrogen vehicles.

"We know how to handle Hydrogen," said G Madhavan Nair, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation. "It is going to be the fuel for the next generation. Even in India, there are a number of plans where hydrogen is coming as a byproduct which is not being utilised properly. So, if we can collect it and serve it, it can become a good source (of fuel) for automobiles."

Another step towards the hydrogen highway

A new Potential Biohybrid Catalyst for Hydrogen Production and Use Created

Green Car Congress is reporting that "Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Colorado are reporting the first successful electrical connection between hydrogenase enzymes and carbon nanotubes."

While hydrogenases enzymes have long shown promise as catalysts for hydrogen production they have not been able to form stable, strong electrical connections for use in an electrical device, however, some anaerobic bacterium have shown promise helping hydrogenases to remain catalytically active.

By carefully designed synthesis, it should be possible to tune the catalytic biohybrids for use as electrochemical probes for in vivo detection of hydrogenase activities. More importantly, this work offers the first step toward the construction of functional hydrogenase/SWNT hybrids for application in a variety of hydrogen production and fuel cell technologies.

Honda's visionary approach to fuel cell vehicles?

The key to Honda's green future?

Honda is a pretty cool company. Not only does Honda make some of the most fuel efficient vehicles - fleet wide - in the industry, they also make some pretty cool jet airplanes. Even more interesting, however, Honda now makes next generation solar cells.

Why would an automaker make solar cells?

I'm sure there are many reasons that Honda might make solar cells, but one interesting reason showed up at the LA Auto Show. (Finish)

Lease a Honda Fuel Cell Vehicle

Lease one in the Summer of 2008

Back in January at NAIAS, the Honda FCX fuel cell vehicle was one of the hottest-looking vehicles at Detroit's Auto Show. At that time, however, a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle just seemed too far into the future for me.

At this year's LA Auto Show, Honda took a big step into the future announcing that the Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle will be offered for lease in the summer of 2008. For $600.00 per month - including maintenance and collision insurance - customers will be able to lease a an FCX Clarity for a term of 3 years

To start, you'll probably have to live in the greater Los Angeles ares, where hydrogen and fuel cell servicing facilities exist. Unfortunately, until the hydrogen highway is extended, fuel cell vehicles will be very limited.

My Second Equinox Fuel Cell Drive

This car kicks ass in LA traffic

I was able to take my second test drive of GM's Chevy Equinox fuel cell vehicle yesterday, and I have to say that all those writers that have focused on the 12 second 0 - 60 of this fuel cell vehicle just don't get it.

First, from 0 - 40 this car hauls ass. What more do you need in city driving? Second, the smooth seamless transmission, or lack thereof, makes the electric drive worthy of a slower 60 - the acceleration is just so smOOOth. Third, this vehicle is built on old fuel cell technology. The next generation of GM fuel cell technology will be lighter and more powerful, as will the battery. So, this car will see faster 60 times and better range.

GM's fuel cell vehicles will, as according to GM's plans, be ready by 2010. Will they be cost-effective? Will the hydrogen highway exist? Those are the real questions regarding GM fuel cell vehicles.

Hybrid Tax Credits & The Hydrogen Highway NOW

How Congress can empower America with an Energy Revolution

Global warming, foreign oil dependency, oil company profits, and especially CAFE are very common and important topics discussed regularly by many in Congress. Even Presidential candidates are one-upping each other with their CAFE plans.

Similarly, many environmental groups have also been particularly focused on CAFE. Yet, sadly, even the most stringent plan in Congress is going to do little to significantly affect either global warming or foreign oil dependence based upon America's history of year-after-year of increased fuel consumption.

And the other favorite of Congress, corn-based ethanol, might even be less effective than CAFE, or even harmful.

America needs an energy paradigm change, an Energy Revolution! (Finish)

Hydrogen Highway Breakthrough?

An opportunity that America cannot afford to miss

One of the best things about hydrogen isn't its ability to power fuel cell vehicles, it's the ability of hydrogen to make renewable energy, such as wind power and solar power more effective. Of course, fuel cell vehicles running down the hydrogen highway are also pretty awesome. Ultimately, cheap hydrogen can revolutionize America's ENTIRE energy paradigm, not just transportation.

That's what makes a recent hydrogen breakthrough by Pennsylvania State University so important.

US researchers have developed a method of producing hydrogen gas from biodegradable organic material, potentially providing an abundant source of this clean-burning fuel, according to a study released Monday.

The technology offers a way to cheaply and efficiently generate hydrogen gas from readily available and renewable biomass such as cellulose or glucose, and could be used for powering vehicles, making fertilizer and treating drinking water.

"This process produces 288 percent more energy in hydrogen than the electrical energy that is added in the process," said Bruce Logan, a professor of environmental engineering at Penn State.(AFP)

Norway takes another step down the hydrogen highway

Where is America's HyNor?

Norway has a plan for the future of transportation energy and it's built around the hydrogen economy. That plan begins with HyNor, or Norway's hydrogen highway, which will connect Oslo to Stavanger - some 360 miles. On this hydrogen highway, commuters will be able to take hydrogen powered buses, taxis or drive in their own hydrogen-powered cars.

As a result Norway will purchase 30 Mazda RX-Hydogen RE vehicles as part of a larger collaboration between HyNor and Norway to develop the hydrogen highway (more).

In addition to Norway, the EU is also putting together plans for a hydrogen highway. Iceland is determined to become the first complete hydrogen society. Korea, an emerging player in the automotive world, is ramping up its hydrogen efforts.

Sure many of these countries are significantly smaller than America, but still, isn't it a little corny that America isn't more focused on the hydrogen highway?

Air Products continues push towards hydrogen economy

A Toyota fuel cell hybrid vehicle

Air Products has added the 5th hydrogen fuel station in Korea, making Korea - home of Hyundai - only second to the U.S. in total Air Product hydrogen fuel stations. Worldwide, Air Products has now built 70 hydrogen fueling stations in 12 countries, including 20 in the U.S.

Can the hydrogen economy and fuel cell hybrids ever become reality without serious help from the government?

Both Democrats and Republicans have done a lot of talking about foreign oil dependency and global warming, yet few have discussed the hydrogen economy. However, can great change to the current energy paradigm be achieved without embracing the hydrogen economy and fuel cell hybrid vehicles, such as the one pictured above (aside from going nuclear)?

Distributed Energy gets a boost

A Step closer to V2G and the hydrogen highway?

One of the great possibilities of both plug-in hybrid vehicles and the hydrogen highway is that both technologies could help drive electric grid distribution. Doing so would increase the efficiency of the grid, and make it less prone to terrorist attacks, natural disasters, etc.

Unfortunately, the grid isn't prepared for distributive energy, but work is being done, such as the new contract that UQM Technologies received to develop an advanced grid-connect inverter (more).

Developments such as these help create the infrastructure that can truly end America's foreign oil dependency while significantly reducing our carbon footprint.

Are utility companies afraid of the hydrogen highway?

Fuel cell cars: The greatest fear of power companies?

I've long been a huge fan of hybrid cars and, especially, of plug-in hybrid vehicles. For the last several years, I've believed that plug-in hybrids made fuel cell vehicles and, more important, the hydrogen highway irrelevant to a new energy paradigm. In fact, I started to believe that the hydrogen highway was the quickest path away from a new, clean and green energy paradigm.

Lately, however, I've been buying into the hydrogen economy, and I'm starting to wonder if utility companies and some of their plug-in hybrid-supporting friends are fighting against the hydrogen economy for all the wrong reasons. (Finish)

Hydrogen fuel cells versus battery electric vehicles

Are battery electric vehicles just as compelling as hydrogen fuel cell vehicles?

That's the argument that Gizmag makes for BW in the article, Is Hydrogen the Answer to Our Future Transport Needs?

A number of years ago, I thought I was going to become a disciple of the hydrogen economy, but the more I read about fuel cell cars, let alone the missing hydrogen highway, the more I felt that fuel cell vehicles were just a delay tactic to real fuel economy.

Thus, I embraced hybrid vehicles and the future of plug-in hybrid vehicles, which I have believed could make fuel cell vehicles, and the hydrogen highway, unnecessary. Lately, however, I am having second thoughts. (Finish: hydrogen versus electric)

Hydrogen production set for large increase

Oil refineries to significantly increase hydrogen production to produce gasoline and diesel

According to CRI Consulting, "Global environmental regulations and the inferior quality of today’s sour crude feedstock available for refineries will drive consumption of hydrogen in excess of 40% over the next five years."

One of the big culprits? Clean diesel. “The severe environmental regulations on sulfur in diesel are responsible for the increased consumption. The process of removing sulfur consumes hydrogen, and it is estimated in the future that diesel production will increase relative to gasoline.”

The need for hydrogen is expected to grow significantly in the future, even without the hydrogen highway, "In addition, oil-sands processing, gas-to-liquids, and coal gasification projects that are ongoing, all require enormous amounts of hydrogen and will boost the size of the market significantly."

Maybe the hydrogen highway isn't so far away?

The economics of hybrids are taxing

Time for European style fuel taxes in America?

Today there is an article in the WSJ regarding The Economics of Hybrids, which starts, "For most U.S. consumers, they're still a money-losing proposition".

A couple years ago, however, some hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius were a good deal for most Americans. Of course, the difference between then and now is the $3150.00 clean vehicle tax credit, or the lack thereof.

Today, instead of tax credits for OPEC-dependency fighting hybrids, America will spend about $2 trillion fighting wars largely rooted in foreign oil dependency.

Isn't it time to put together a serious action plan for ending foreign oil dependency? Isn't it time to extend Toyota's tax credits? Isn't it time to consider new tax credits, new gas taxes and new visions of the future, such as the hydrogen highway and/or an electric vehicle infrastructure?

Isn't it time to make ending foreign oil dependency a National Cause?

Is it worth $15 billion to kick-start the hydrogen highway?

Is hydrogen worth the investment?

Thus far, war funding for Iraq and Afghanistan is over $140 billion dollars and another $40+ billion is on the table. Other reports suggest that the total cost of the Iraq and Afghan wars could hit $2.4 trillion. Sadly, when push-comes-to-shove, these wars could not have happened if not for America's foreign oil dependency.

So, how do we get off oil?

For decades the world has been told the 'hydrogen economy' is the future. According to GM, the future is here.

By 2010, if a hydrogen highway...(Finish: Hydrogen highway)

Honda sees hybrid, fuel cell future

Not so sure about plug-in hybrids

By 2009, Honda will make a significant push into the hybrid vehicles market, greatly expanding hybrid production. The cornerstone of that production increase will be based upon a new family hybrid that will cost less than $2,000 more than a conventional vehicle.

Finish: Honda's hybrid future

Army orders 6 Ford Escape hydrogen hybrids

Gasoline, diesel, or hydrogen: It doesn't matter

The U.S. Army has ordered 6 Ford Escape hydrogen hybrids from Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc.

"We are pleased to be able to support TARDEC in expanding its hydrogen vehicle program. This contract exemplifies the U.S. Army's leadership as an early adopter of advanced technologies that will reduce petroleum dependence and fuel consumption while supporting the efforts of our troops," said Alan P. Niedzwiecki, President and CEO of Quantum. "With oil prices as high as $80 a barrel, interest continues to grow worldwide in Quantum's hydrogen hybrid vehicles as near-term alternatives to reduce emissions and petroleum usage through the implementation of hydrogen technologies."

Mazda believes in the hydrogen engine, hydrogen hybrids

Mazda's hydrogen hybrid

Mazda believes the future is along the 'hydrogen highway', but the automaker doesn't believe that autos on that highway should be powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

"A hydrogen fuel cell is efficient but," Mazda executive Nobuhiro Hayama said on Monday, "a hydrogen engine was more practical because no change was needed in the materials and manufacturing process of engines." (Finish hydrogen hybrids)

Fuel cell assisted hybrid vehicles?

Forget fuel cell vehicles, think fuel cell assisted?

"Versa Power Systems, Inc., a leading developer of environmentally friendly Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) that generate clean electricity in compact form for a range of applications, today announced that a bench-top study of its technology in combination with an advanced battery validated the performance of a hybrid engine under conditions simulating the rigors of a commercial truck's operation."

Imagine plug-in hybrid vehicles with small fuel cells to extend the range of such hybrid vehicles. They wouldn't require a hydrogen highway, and they would be far cheaper than a fully hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicle. Oh, yeah, and they could wipe out foreign oil dependency.

Brad Pitt rides hydrogen highway to Ocean's premiere

Hydrogen highway coming soon?

Brad Pitt arrived at the Ocean's 13 premiere yesterday in a BMW H7 - a hydrogen powered vehicle.

Do you think the hydrogen highway is pure hype? If the hydrogen highway will some day be a reality, when is that day?

Automotive News World Congress: Need National Energy Policy

It seems the need for a National Energy Policy was a hot topic at the Automotive News World Congress according to the DetroitNews. Unfortunately, what that energy policy should be was far from unanimous. Of course GM lobbied for biofuels, plus some help with batteries. Chrysler lobbied for hydrogen. Ford, well, Ford's reported comments surprised me the most. Nancy Gioia, director of sustainable mobility technologies and hybrid vehicle programs at Ford told the DetroitNews, "hydrogen is one of the most promising long-term solutions -- one that she said will require a national commitment comparable to the one required to put a man on the moon.

At the same time, Gioia pointed out that hydrogen is not a panacea. She said it takes a great deal of energy to extract hydrogen -- energy that might be better utilized by other technologies like plug-in hybrids."

Hydrogen highway 30 years away?

"BMW says hydrogen-powered cars are 30 years off, at least in terms of being available to the masses—and yes, I know, they just introduced a hydrogen-power 7-Series model. This 30-year prediction is much more pessimistic than the already pessimistic GM's 10-year prediction." (more)

When such a time frame is realized, it seems obvious that everything that can be done today, better be done today. Hybrid cars offer huge gains in efficiency, they can utilize any of the alternative fuels being developed including hydrogen, and hybrids can help develop fuel cells. Or, we can just wait 30 years.