Fill 'Er Up With Hydrogen

TEACHERS

ONE OF the stumbling blocks to the promise of a clean hydrogen energy future is the old chicken-and-egg quandary. Which comes first, hydrogen-powered vehicles or the distribution Infrastructure needed to let their drivers "fill 'er up" with ease? Carmakers won't make and buyers won't buy cars that aren't easy to fuel. But fuel companies don't want to spend billions building a hydrogen distribution network if there aren't enough drivers demanding the stuff. A new program at Pennsylvania State University's Hybrid and Hydrogen Vehicle Research Center is looking to help solve the problem. It's built the state's first commercial hydrogen fueling station. Initially, it'll be used by a small fleet: one local bus and a university maintenance van, each burning a hydrogen/ natural gas blend; and a General Motors demo car run by a fuel cell that operates on pure hydrogen. Also, Penn State researchers, including engineers studying hydrogen issues, will be able to tap into the fueling station's supply of hydrogen, which is being produced by steam reforming as natural gas. Initial demand is expected to be 40 kg of hydrogen a day, but as the hydrogen fleet grows, that is expected to increase to 100 kg. Wonder if they'll bring back coupons? -TG

Copyright AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR ENGINEERING EDUCATION Feb 2007
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved