RECENT NEWS ARTICLE FROM BMWBMW has announced the start of production of the new BMW Hydrogen 7, the world’s first hydrogen-powered luxury saloon car. Destined to make its first public appearance on 28 November at the Los Angeles Motor Show, the Hydrogen 7 will be built in limited numbers and offered to selected users in 2007. The BMW Hydrogen 7 is based on the existing 7 Series and comes equipped with an internal combustion engine capable of running on liquid hydrogen or petrol. In hydrogen mode the car emits nothing more than water vapor. Powered by a 260hp 12-cylinder engine, the Hydrogen 7 accelerates from zero to 62mph in 9.5 seconds before going on to an electronically limited 143mph top speed.
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Fusion Production of Hydrogen; How Fusion Energy Can Fuel the Hydrogen Economy
Ken Schultz
General Atomics, San Diego, CA;
The United States has embarked on a serious effort to transform our transportation economy
from one that is largely petroleum-based to one based on hydrogen. This has come to be known
as the Hydrogen Economy. If successful, this transition will result in significant improvements
in energy efficiency and environmental quality. A hydrogen economy can be based on domestic
energy resources and would make possible a high degree of energy security.
Hydrogen is an energy carrier, not an energy source. While hydrogen is the most plentiful
element on earth, virtually all of it is chemically bound. Energy must be invested to separate
hydrogen from the water, hydrocarbons or carbohydrates in which it is bound. The most
straightforward, cleanest and sustainable pathway to hydrogen is decomposition of water. This
can be accomplished by electrolysis using electricity, by high temperature electrolysis using both
heat and electricity, and by a variety of thermo-chemical water-splitting cycle processes using
only heat. Radiolysis is a potential technique for splitting of water that could use fusion energy
directly to make hydrogen.
Fusion energy could be the ultimate best source of the energy needed to make the vast
amounts of hydrogen needed for a hydrogen economy. Several studies done over the years have
all concluded that production of hydrogen is well suited to the characteristics of fusion energy
production, and could be a larger market for fusion energy than even electricity production.
These studies have shown that electrolysis, high temperature electrolysis and thermo-chemical
water-splitting all have the potential to be attractive techniques for the production of hydrogen
using fusion energy.
The DOE hydrogen program is currently developing these techniques, and is also developing
high temperature nuclear fission reactors that could use these techniques for hydrogen
production. Fusion can take benefit from this development. Use of fusion for low temperature
electrolysis will have no impact on the fusion designs envisioned for electricity production.
High temperature electrolysis and thermo-chemical water-splitting, which offer the potential for
higher efficiency and lower costs, would have impact on the fusion designs and would add
additional requirements and constraints to the already difficult fusion reactor design process.
Strict control of tritium to avoid contamination of the hydrogen product will be especially
important. Several fusion design concepts have been developed that appear to successfully meet
the requirements for hydrogen production.
Production of hydrogen for the Hydrogen Economy is an attractive mission for fusion energy
and could be a much larger ultimate use of fusion than electricity production. Special fusion
reactor designs will be needed for high efficiency production of hydrogen, but low temperature
electrolysis could be used with no constraints on fusion design. Fusion does have the potential to
provide the ultimate source of fuel for the Hydrogen Economy.
Governor pumps up Hydrogen-Fuel Alternative
By Clifton B. Parker
The governorn takes time to fill up at the campus’s new public hydrogen fueling station. (Debbie Aldridge/UC Davis)
With a cloudy sky above him, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger promoted hydrogen-powered vehicles as the future's bright transportation alternative during a visit to campus Tuesday.
"Let's create some action," said Schwarzenegger, signing an executive order to launch the nation's first Hydrogen Highway Network while a crowd of about 300 people looked on at the Unitrans Yard on Garrod Drive off of La Rue Road. "This starts a new era for clean California transportation," he said.
The event marked his first gubernatorial visit to a UC campus. Schwarzennegger drove a hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle to the media gathering and refueled it at UC Davis' new hydrogen fueling station.
The university's new hydrogen fueling station is the first publicly accessible station on California's Hydrogen Highway, and the governor was the first member of the public to use it.
"This is the future of California and the future of our environmental protection," he said.
The search for cheaper, cleaner fuels gave impetus to Schwarzenegger's Hydrogen Highways initiative. California's Hydrogen Highways involves the building of hundreds of hydrogen refueling stations across the state, creating an infrastructure for what some believe will be the fuel of the future.
Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef greeted Schwarzenegger, noting, "We see ourselves at the university as having a special responsibility to undertake objective research in the public's interest. Today's launching of the California Hydrogen Highway is an important step in the exploration of possibilities for the future."
The UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies held the event in conjunction with the Governor's Office and the California Environmental Protection Agency.
The program consisted of a couple dozen hydrogen-powered vehicles on display with their manufacturers hosting exhibit booths. Dozens of media, local and national, were in attendance, cordoned off by moveable fences. A helicopter flew overhead toward the end of the governor's address.
"This is like a movie set, but it's better," said Schwarzenegger, adding that alternative fuels like hydrogen could help communities protect their environment and people from pollution. "Growth and protecting our natural beauty go hand in hand," he said.
The governor vowed that the state government would "lead by example" and build support for hydrogen fuel. He promised to seek federal funding for research and implementation efforts, and said businesses would look more favorably upon California when it offers alternative fuel choices in the future.
The Institute of Transportation Studies is a research unit on campus that receives funding from the government, private industry and foundations. Faculty and student researchers there have studied issues such as the adoption of new technologies by consumers and data analysis of emissions.
With more than 40 faculty members, 15 research staff and 80 graduate students involved, the ITS researchers are based primarily in the campus's College of Engineering and College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
"None of us knows what the future of transportation will be. But we do know change is needed," said ITS-Davis director Daniel Sperling. "We should take wise first steps now to find the best path. Intelligent demonstrations, strong research and public education are imperative if California will continue to lead in efforts to clean our air and reduce greenhouse gases that are warming the planet."
To use the hydrogen fueling station, individuals and companies will have to sign an agreement with the university. The station offers pure hydrogen for refueling fuel-cell vehicles and hydrogen-enriched natural gas for refueling natural gas transit buses. It is capable of refueling up to eight light-duty hydrogen vehicles per day, and currently supports two Toyota hybrid vehicles and a Unitrans bus.
In its research fleet, UC Davis has two hydrogen-powered Toyota SUVs (the most at any university campus, a distinction shared with its sister campus UC Irvine) and a new transit bus, the first in the nation in everyday service to be powered by a blend of hydrogen and natural gas.
The campus Hydrogen Pathways research program is supported by 16 industry partners. Its station already is attracting non-university users. Two Honda fuel-cell cars participating in a demonstration project of the city and county of San Francisco drove to the governor's event today from San Francisco and refueled here for their return trip.
Fusion Production of Hydrogen; How Fusion Energy Can Fuel the Hydrogen Economy Ken Schultz
General Atomics, San Diego, CA;
The United States has embarked on a serious effort to transform our transportation economy from one that is largely petroleum-based to one based on hydrogen. This has come to be known as the Hydrogen Economy. If successful, this transition will result in significant improvements in energy efficiency and environmental quality. A hydrogen economy can be based on domestic energy resources and would make possible a high degree of energy security.
Hydrogen is an energy carrier, not an energy source. While hydrogen is the most plentiful element on earth, virtually all of it is chemically bound. Energy must be invested to separate hydrogen from the water, hydrocarbons or carbohydrates in which it is bound. The most straightforward, cleanest and sustainable pathway to hydrogen is decomposition of water. This can be accomplished by electrolysis using electricity, by high temperature electrolysis using both heat and electricity, and by a variety of thermo-chemical water-splitting cycle processes using only heat. Radiolysis is a potential technique for splitting of water that could use fusion energy directly to make hydrogen.
Fusion energy could be the ultimate best source of the energy needed to make the vast amounts of hydrogen needed for a hydrogen economy. Several studies done over the years have all concluded that production of hydrogen is well suited to the characteristics of fusion energy production, and could be a larger market for fusion energy than even electricity production. These studies have shown that electrolysis, high temperature electrolysis and thermo-chemical water-splitting all have the potential to be attractive techniques for the production of hydrogen using fusion energy.
The DOE hydrogen program is currently developing these techniques, and is also developing high temperature nuclear fission reactors that could use these techniques for hydrogen production. Fusion can take benefit from this development. Use of fusion for low temperature electrolysis will have no impact on the fusion designs envisioned for electricity production. High temperature electrolysis and thermo-chemical water-splitting, which offer the potential for higher efficiency and lower costs, would have impact on the fusion designs and would add additional requirements and constraints to the already difficult fusion reactor design process. Strict control of tritium to avoid contamination of the hydrogen product will be especially important. Several fusion design concepts have been developed that appear to successfully meet the requirements for hydrogen production.
Production of hydrogen for the Hydrogen Economy is an attractive mission for fusion energy and could be a much larger ultimate use of fusion than electricity production. Special fusion reactor designs will be needed for high efficiency production of hydrogen, but low temperature electrolysis could be used with no constraints on fusion design. Fusion does have the potential to provide the ultimate source of fuel for the Hydrogen Economy.
Ford seeks speed record for fuel cell-powered vehicle
Author: RP news wires
Ford Motor Company will take its 10 years of hydrogen research expertise to the Bonneville Salt Flats in August in an attempt to set the world land speed record in a hydrogen fuel cell-powered Ford Fusion.
The Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999 fuel cell car – a collaboratively engineered racer with Ballard, Roush and Ohio State University – is one of two vehicles Ford’s fuel cell research team is helping prepare to set world land speed records. Ford researchers also are working with Ohio State University student engineers on its Buckeye Bullet 2, a fuel cell-powered racer that will compete for a similar world record in the unlimited-class category.
“Racing is part of Ford Motor Company’s DNA, so it seemed only natural for us to build a fuel cell race car that runs on hydrogen, a fuel that could someday play a key role in meeting the energy needs of the transportation sector,” said Gerhard Schmidt, vice president, Research & Advanced Engineering for Ford Motor Company. “Our goal in attempting this record is to further expand our technological horizons with fuel cell-powered vehicles. The collaboration with Ohio State University also affords us an opportunity to work closely with a prestigious university, which provides out-of-the-box thinking from student engineers and helps us recruit talented young people to work at Ford Motor Company.”
The land speed record attempt will take place during Bonneville Speed Week from Aug. 10-17. The attempt will be sanctioned by the Southern California Timing Association.
The Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999 land speed record vehicle was designed by Ford engineers and fabricated and built by Roush in Allen Park, Mich. Ohio State students are providing the design of the 770-horsepower electric motor, while Ballard is supplying the hydrogen fuel cells. Ford retiree Rick Byrnes, a veteran Bonneville racer, will pilot the Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999 car on its record attempt.
Ohio State students have designed their unlimited-class vehicle, dubbed Buckeye Bullet 2, from the ground up. Ballard donated the hydrogen fuel cells for Ohio State’s car, Roush its engineering services and Ford has provided overall project coordination and expertise in fuel cell drivetrains.
In 2004, Ohio State students set the unlimited land speed record for an electric vehicle by running 315 mph in the first Buckeye Bullet, dubbed BB1.
Hydrogen Part of a Broader Effort
Ford’s strategy for alternative fuels is built around multiple technologies, including hydrogen fuel cells. This flexible approach allows the company to meet goals for customer needs, environmental impact and shareholder interests. The strategy does not focus on one catch-all solution but includes a flexible array of options, including hybrids, E85 ethanol, clean diesels, bio-diesels, advanced engine and transmission technologies, and hydrogen fuel cells.
The company already has a fleet of 30 hydrogen powered Focus fuel cell vehicles on the road as part of a worldwide, seven-city program to conduct real world testing of fuel cell technology. The 30-car fleet has accumulated more than 540,000 miles since its inception in 2005.
Ford also is conducting tests with the world’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the Ford Edge with HySeries Drive. The Ford Edge with HySeries Drive uses a series electric drivetrain with an onboard hydrogen fuel cell generator to give the vehicle a range of 225 miles with zero emissions.
Currently, Ford offers gasoline-electric hybrids including the Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid. The company will also offer hybrid versions of the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan in 2008.
July 11th, 2007 by Joel
Everyone tries to break speed records, this time its Ford. Ford recently released details on a planned all new Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999 car. The Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999 fuel cell car - a collaboratively engineered racer with Ballard, Roush and Ohio State University - is one of two vehicles Ford’s fuel cell research team is helping prepare to set world land speed records.
This car is soon gonna be the fastest fuel car in the world. The car will be cooled through ice bath cooling system, this is mainly because the front is sealed in order to keep the drag coefficient as low as possible. This car features a 770-hp electric motor.
