Air Liquide to Provide Transferable Hydrogen Fueling Systems to GM U.S. by Iver Penn
An auspicious alternative fuel solution for motor vehicles is yielded by using hydrogen as a transmitter of energy. Hydrogen is utilized in a fuel cell and combines with oxygen in the air to be able to produce electricity to supply power to the vehicle, with water as the only emission.
Air Liquide is manufactured to enable the hydrogen energy infrastructure. It is closely working with partners in the private and public sectors while helping to transmit hydrogen energy technologies from the planning papers to the real world. The group is actively developing the whole supply chain of the hydrogen energy. The process of developing the chain starts from producing hydrogen, to making fuel cells, then to solutions development, and then to the distribution of hydrogen to end users.
Air Liquide Advanced Technologies U.S. LLC has been chosen to supply five, 700-bar, transferable fast-fill hydrogen fueling systems to General Motors in the U.S. Nonetheless, GM can also opt to acquire an additional of two systems. To be operated by the end of 2007, the portable fueling systems will be built in North America with proprietary engineering designs from Air Liquide's Advanced Technologies teams.
As regards using hydrogen as energy, this is Air Liquide's second collaboration with GM. Air Liquide is also working with GM in Canada where it installed a fueling system at GM's Cold Weather Testing site in Kapuskasing, Ontario, which is intended for hydrogen vehicles.
Pierre Dufour, the Executive Vice-President of Air Liquide Group, and at the same time president and CEO of American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc., said that their agreement with General Motors is one of the ways in which Air Liquide is contributing to overture the use of hydrogen as a source of energy as well as an alternative solution to power the cars that will be launched in the future. He added that they very honored to have collaborated with GM on this project.
About Air Liquide
Air Liquide is a major partner in many international hydrogen energy projects in Europe, Japan and North America. It has gained more than 40 years of expertise in the hydrogen business as well as in line with its commitment to desirable development. Air Liquide believes that it has a responsibility as a world leader in opening up new markets as well as in introducing scientific and technological innovation in society.
Founded in 1902, Air Liquide is the leading group in industrial and medical gases and other related services. Present in 72 countries, the group offers reinvented solutions that are based on constantly enhanced technologies. In consonance with Air Liquide's commitment to sustainable development, these solutions are aimed to protect life and enable the customers to manufacture many essential everyday products.
Air Liquide has employed over 36,000 workers. It has tremendously developed a long-term relationship with its shareholders because of its trust and transparency that are guided by the principles of corporate governance. In 2006, its revenues amounted to 10,949 million euros, with sales outside France accounting for nearly 80 percent.
Listed on the Paris stock exchange, Air Liquide is a component of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices (ISIN code FR 0000120073).
About General Motors Corporation
Also known as GM or GMC, General Motors Corporation is the 2nd (after Toyota) largest car company based on sales revenue as of 2007. Maker of quality cars and their parts, GMC has around 284,000 employees all over the world.
It was founded in 1908, in Flint, Michigan and has global headquarters located at the Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan, USA. In Zurich, Switzerland is their European headquarters. This American car maker produces its trucks and cars in 33 countries.
GM cars and trucks are sold under Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Daewoo, GMC, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall brands.
GM Parts like GMC bumper bracket and accessories are known in the market under GM Performance Parts, GM Goodwrench and ACDelco brands through GM Service and Parts Operations that supplies GM dealerships and distributors all over the world. The United States is GM's largest national market. This is followed by China, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
GM is the number 1 automaker when it comes to Strategic Vision's Total Quality Index (TQI).
About the Author
Iver Penn is a Mass Communications graduate who hails from Wyoming. She is at present an associate editor of a publishing company in Colorado.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
The Hydrogen Economy by Euan Blauvelt
The Hydrogen Economy by Euan Blauvelt
The energy sectors in both the United States and Europe are on the cusp of immense change. New technologies are being developed and opportunities for entrepreneurial ideas and innovative approaches are ripening at a time when capital-intensive, aging energy infrastructure is in need of improvement.
The world currently exists in a carbon economy. 80% of the primary energy which drives the world is derived from hydrocarbon fossil fuels; oil 35%, coal 24% and natural gas 21% and 11% is contributed by renewables, almost all renewable biomass. In the last two centuries the volume of carbon consumption has increased exponentially with the world's industrialisation.
The carbon economy has given great economic benefits to mankind but it is subject to two limitations. Although new reserves of hydrocarbons and new technologies to exploit them are being discovered all the time, these resources are not limitless. Secondly, fossil fuels emit greenhouse gasses and other pollutants when they are burned and these emissions have reached dangerous proportions. Alternatives to the carbon economy are feasible although wide scale use is some years in the future. A hydrogen economy is one such option, in which the sustainable energy supply system of the future features electricity and hydrogen as the dominant energy carriers. Hydrogen will be produced from a diverse base of primary energy feedstocks, or from water using renewable electricity in the process. The use of hydrogen energy would reduce dependence on petroleum and the pollution and greenhouse gas emissions caused by carbons.
The development of the hydrogen economy will advance on two fronts. The development of another technology, the fuel cell, is essential to the exploitation of hydrogen; the two are interlinked. It is important to understand that hydrogen is not a primary energy source like coal and gas; it is an energy carrier, like electricity. Hydrogen can be converted to energy via traditional combustion methods and through electrochemical processes in fuel cells. Initially it will be produced using existing energy systems based on different conventional primary energy sources and carriers. In the longer term renewable energy sources could become the most important source for the production of hydrogen.
Fuel cells utilise the chemical energy of hydrogen to produce electricity and thermal energy. A fuel cell is a quiet, clean source of energy. Water is the only by-product it emits if it uses hydrogen directly. Fuel cells are similar to batteries in that they are composed of positive and negative electrodes with an electrolyte or membrane. The difference between fuel cells and batteries is that energy is not recharged and stored in fuel cells as it is in batteries. Fuel cells receive their energy from the hydrogen or similar fuel that is supplied to them. No charge is thereby necessary.
Fuel cells are already used in a wide variety of products, ranging from very small fuel cells in portable devices such as mobile phones and laptops, mobile applications like cars, delivery vehicles, buses and ships, to heat and power generators in stationary applications in the domestic and industrial sector. Fuel cells are customarily classified into the three categories; stationary, portable and mobile or transport. Within these three overall groupings there are sub-categories.
Although there are many positive factors in the concept of a hydrogen economy, there are arguments against it. The potential benefits include high efficiencies, decentralised power generation, security of supply, reduced emissions, reliable and silent operation, energy savings, multiple uses and opportunities for hybrids. On the downside there are huge technological challenges and massive investment is needed to create capacity and infrastructure for the production and delivery of hydrogen. The environmental benefits are only as good as the sources and processes of production, and finally there are competitive technologies.
New technologies include large scale electrification in conjunction with plug-in hybrid vehicles and Li-ion batteries in transport. In the stationary applications market, distributed electricity generation or cogeneration present an alternative to hydrogen. Other significant competitors are a new level of power generation technologies, such as large, increased efficiency coal and gas-fired power plants, possibly using underground coal gasification (UCG) with CO2 capture and storage (CCS), renewable electricity supply technologies which are already widespread in the market (wind and solar PV) or now being commercialised (ocean and tidal energy), and new nuclear power technologies. At the same time, new technologies such as micro-turbines and Stirling engines are being introduced in combined heat and power applications. All of these technologies are in the pipeline and will not simply be overridden by hydrogen.
Virtually all of the OECD countries treat research into hydrogen and fuel cells as an important and in most cases an increasingly important, element of their overall public policy and programme planning activities.
An important feature of hydrogen and fuel cell research and development is the exceptionally strong involvement and commitment of industry as well as governments. The US federal government proposes spending $2.7 billion over the next five years on hydrogen and fuel cell research and development, and advanced automotive technologies. The Japanese government plans to spend over $380 million a year on fuel cell research, development and commercialisation. The FP- Framework Programme - is the EU's main instrument for research funding in Europe and was first adopted in 1984, each lasting for a five year period. FP 7 has a total budget of over €50 billion and some €275 million is earmarked for hydrogen and fuel cells, in addition to national expenditures. It cannot be taken as a forgone conclusion that an exclusive hydrogen economy will emerge.
Hydrogen is coming but it may consist of a hybrid of hydrogen applications side by side with conventional fossil fuels, nuclear and renewable energy. The final evolution is so far in the future and the waters are so uncharted that many variants are possible. Iceland, although small, has a high proportion of renewable energy, mainly geothermal and is interesting because the government has determined that the country should be the first with a hydrogen economy.
About the Author
Euan Blauvelt was trained in market research in London, later moving to Southeast Asia for twelve years where he was responsible for many research studies for a wide range of industries and governments. He was a co-founder of ABS Energy Research seventeen years ago, which specialises in energy and environmental services market research .
The energy sectors in both the United States and Europe are on the cusp of immense change. New technologies are being developed and opportunities for entrepreneurial ideas and innovative approaches are ripening at a time when capital-intensive, aging energy infrastructure is in need of improvement.
The world currently exists in a carbon economy. 80% of the primary energy which drives the world is derived from hydrocarbon fossil fuels; oil 35%, coal 24% and natural gas 21% and 11% is contributed by renewables, almost all renewable biomass. In the last two centuries the volume of carbon consumption has increased exponentially with the world's industrialisation.
The carbon economy has given great economic benefits to mankind but it is subject to two limitations. Although new reserves of hydrocarbons and new technologies to exploit them are being discovered all the time, these resources are not limitless. Secondly, fossil fuels emit greenhouse gasses and other pollutants when they are burned and these emissions have reached dangerous proportions. Alternatives to the carbon economy are feasible although wide scale use is some years in the future. A hydrogen economy is one such option, in which the sustainable energy supply system of the future features electricity and hydrogen as the dominant energy carriers. Hydrogen will be produced from a diverse base of primary energy feedstocks, or from water using renewable electricity in the process. The use of hydrogen energy would reduce dependence on petroleum and the pollution and greenhouse gas emissions caused by carbons.
The development of the hydrogen economy will advance on two fronts. The development of another technology, the fuel cell, is essential to the exploitation of hydrogen; the two are interlinked. It is important to understand that hydrogen is not a primary energy source like coal and gas; it is an energy carrier, like electricity. Hydrogen can be converted to energy via traditional combustion methods and through electrochemical processes in fuel cells. Initially it will be produced using existing energy systems based on different conventional primary energy sources and carriers. In the longer term renewable energy sources could become the most important source for the production of hydrogen.
Fuel cells utilise the chemical energy of hydrogen to produce electricity and thermal energy. A fuel cell is a quiet, clean source of energy. Water is the only by-product it emits if it uses hydrogen directly. Fuel cells are similar to batteries in that they are composed of positive and negative electrodes with an electrolyte or membrane. The difference between fuel cells and batteries is that energy is not recharged and stored in fuel cells as it is in batteries. Fuel cells receive their energy from the hydrogen or similar fuel that is supplied to them. No charge is thereby necessary.
Fuel cells are already used in a wide variety of products, ranging from very small fuel cells in portable devices such as mobile phones and laptops, mobile applications like cars, delivery vehicles, buses and ships, to heat and power generators in stationary applications in the domestic and industrial sector. Fuel cells are customarily classified into the three categories; stationary, portable and mobile or transport. Within these three overall groupings there are sub-categories.
Although there are many positive factors in the concept of a hydrogen economy, there are arguments against it. The potential benefits include high efficiencies, decentralised power generation, security of supply, reduced emissions, reliable and silent operation, energy savings, multiple uses and opportunities for hybrids. On the downside there are huge technological challenges and massive investment is needed to create capacity and infrastructure for the production and delivery of hydrogen. The environmental benefits are only as good as the sources and processes of production, and finally there are competitive technologies.
New technologies include large scale electrification in conjunction with plug-in hybrid vehicles and Li-ion batteries in transport. In the stationary applications market, distributed electricity generation or cogeneration present an alternative to hydrogen. Other significant competitors are a new level of power generation technologies, such as large, increased efficiency coal and gas-fired power plants, possibly using underground coal gasification (UCG) with CO2 capture and storage (CCS), renewable electricity supply technologies which are already widespread in the market (wind and solar PV) or now being commercialised (ocean and tidal energy), and new nuclear power technologies. At the same time, new technologies such as micro-turbines and Stirling engines are being introduced in combined heat and power applications. All of these technologies are in the pipeline and will not simply be overridden by hydrogen.
Virtually all of the OECD countries treat research into hydrogen and fuel cells as an important and in most cases an increasingly important, element of their overall public policy and programme planning activities.
An important feature of hydrogen and fuel cell research and development is the exceptionally strong involvement and commitment of industry as well as governments. The US federal government proposes spending $2.7 billion over the next five years on hydrogen and fuel cell research and development, and advanced automotive technologies. The Japanese government plans to spend over $380 million a year on fuel cell research, development and commercialisation. The FP- Framework Programme - is the EU's main instrument for research funding in Europe and was first adopted in 1984, each lasting for a five year period. FP 7 has a total budget of over €50 billion and some €275 million is earmarked for hydrogen and fuel cells, in addition to national expenditures. It cannot be taken as a forgone conclusion that an exclusive hydrogen economy will emerge.
Hydrogen is coming but it may consist of a hybrid of hydrogen applications side by side with conventional fossil fuels, nuclear and renewable energy. The final evolution is so far in the future and the waters are so uncharted that many variants are possible. Iceland, although small, has a high proportion of renewable energy, mainly geothermal and is interesting because the government has determined that the country should be the first with a hydrogen economy.
About the Author
Euan Blauvelt was trained in market research in London, later moving to Southeast Asia for twelve years where he was responsible for many research studies for a wide range of industries and governments. He was a co-founder of ABS Energy Research seventeen years ago, which specialises in energy and environmental services market research .
Availability and Affordability of Hydrogen for Cars by Bob Jent
Availability and Affordability of Hydrogen for Cars by Bob Jent
Hydrogen technology for use in hydrogen cars in the United States is expected to be safe and available by 2010. Many consumers wonder where they will buy the hydrogen. It will be available at service stations like we use today for our gasoline. It will take time before it is as widely available as gasoline but diesel fuel today is only available in 5000 locations throughout the United States and it works.
There is a national hydrogen infrastructure today serving the industrial market. Naturally, making hydrogen available to consumers will involve developing new production and delivery systems. Studies have been done to determine what it would cost to build a national hydrogen distribution system and the general consensus is about $15 billion. However, these facilities don't have to be built at once. They can be developed over time. Hydrogen fueling pumps and a national hydrogen pipeline are being discussed. Home fuel cell stations are also being developed.
Hydrogen cars are much more efficient than gasoline cars. Fuel cell vehicles are 50 per cent efficient compared to 15 per cent for gasoline engines. The per mile costs for fuel cell vehicles are the key issue to focus on as hydrogen may be more expensive by weight or volume than gasoline.
The Department of Energy has a hydrogen cost target of $2.50/gallon of gasoline on an energy equivalent basis by 2010. H2Gen, a manufacturer of hydrogen generators, was recently awarded a "DOE Hydrogen Program R+D Award for its development of hydrogen generation technology that is expected to meet the hydrogen cost target. H2Gens hydrogen generator converts natural gas extracted by companies like, Western Pipeline Corporation, to hydrogen at the point of use. This eliminates the high cost associated with transporting hydrogen. It also eliminates the need for installing a hydrogen pipeline system. H2Gen was awarded a contract by DOE to scale up their generator and to reduce equipment costs so that hydrogen can be produced at a gas station resulting in a cost per mile for fuel cell vehicles at par with gasoline vehicles.
Existing hydrogen fueling stations look like regular service stations. The pumps have digital displays that show volume, price and total cost like regular pumps. The nozzle goes in the same place in would in a gas fueled car. There is a cable which measures pressure attached to a receptacle on the bumper which is the only difference.
Improved technologies will reduce the cost of hydrogen as well as the cost of hydrogen vehicles which offer a clean, sustainable alternative to gasoline and relief from our dependence on oil.
About the Author
Bob Jent is the CEO of Western Pipeline Corporation. Western Pipeline Corp specializes in identifying, acquiring and developing existing, producing reserves on behalf of its individual clients.
Hydrogen technology for use in hydrogen cars in the United States is expected to be safe and available by 2010. Many consumers wonder where they will buy the hydrogen. It will be available at service stations like we use today for our gasoline. It will take time before it is as widely available as gasoline but diesel fuel today is only available in 5000 locations throughout the United States and it works.
There is a national hydrogen infrastructure today serving the industrial market. Naturally, making hydrogen available to consumers will involve developing new production and delivery systems. Studies have been done to determine what it would cost to build a national hydrogen distribution system and the general consensus is about $15 billion. However, these facilities don't have to be built at once. They can be developed over time. Hydrogen fueling pumps and a national hydrogen pipeline are being discussed. Home fuel cell stations are also being developed.
Hydrogen cars are much more efficient than gasoline cars. Fuel cell vehicles are 50 per cent efficient compared to 15 per cent for gasoline engines. The per mile costs for fuel cell vehicles are the key issue to focus on as hydrogen may be more expensive by weight or volume than gasoline.
The Department of Energy has a hydrogen cost target of $2.50/gallon of gasoline on an energy equivalent basis by 2010. H2Gen, a manufacturer of hydrogen generators, was recently awarded a "DOE Hydrogen Program R+D Award for its development of hydrogen generation technology that is expected to meet the hydrogen cost target. H2Gens hydrogen generator converts natural gas extracted by companies like, Western Pipeline Corporation, to hydrogen at the point of use. This eliminates the high cost associated with transporting hydrogen. It also eliminates the need for installing a hydrogen pipeline system. H2Gen was awarded a contract by DOE to scale up their generator and to reduce equipment costs so that hydrogen can be produced at a gas station resulting in a cost per mile for fuel cell vehicles at par with gasoline vehicles.
Existing hydrogen fueling stations look like regular service stations. The pumps have digital displays that show volume, price and total cost like regular pumps. The nozzle goes in the same place in would in a gas fueled car. There is a cable which measures pressure attached to a receptacle on the bumper which is the only difference.
Improved technologies will reduce the cost of hydrogen as well as the cost of hydrogen vehicles which offer a clean, sustainable alternative to gasoline and relief from our dependence on oil.
About the Author
Bob Jent is the CEO of Western Pipeline Corporation. Western Pipeline Corp specializes in identifying, acquiring and developing existing, producing reserves on behalf of its individual clients.
Environmental and Health Aspects of Hydrogen Cars by Bob Jent
Environmental and Health Aspects of Hydrogen Cars by Bob Jent
Hydrogen is the only fuel that is low to zero emission for vehicles. The only by-product of these cars is water vapor. Natural gas and coal are used to produce hydrogen today but in the future hydrogen will come almost entirely from renewable resources. There is a scarcity of renewable resource generation today and its high cost make natural gas from companies like Western Pipeline Corporation, the solution for hydrogen production in the near future.
Potential renewable energy resources to produce hydrogen are: wind, hydro, solar, geothermal and biomass. Hydrogen is generated by wind and solar generated electricity produced by electrolysis. If hydrogen used in hydrogen cars is created from water the energy produced makes a closed loop because the waste product is also water. Low emission of air pollutants is a key benefit of hydrogen fuel cell usage resulting in improved respiratory health particularly in urban areas that have poor air quality. Seniors and children are especially vulnerable. Air pollution can trigger attacks in people who suffer from asthma. Symptoms can increase for anyone with chronic lung, heart or circulatory conditions.
A detailed study from Stanford University revealed that up to 6,400 lives could be saved each year if all U.S. current vehicles were converted to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. When hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels it also produces greenhouse gases in carbon dioxide. However, gasoline combustion engines also produce carbon monoxide, smog-inducing nitrogen oxides and ozone and create microscopic soot particles. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that fossil-fuel automobiles emit 1 ½ billion tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere each year. If we were to move completely to hydrogen based automobiles we would eliminate over 95% of these greenhouse gases.
There would also be reduced crop damage because the use of fuel cells will reduce acid rain and ground-level ozone concentrations. Noise pollution will be reduced because fuel cells run quietly. Groundwater contamination will be reduced because fuel cells do not use motor oil and leaks from gasoline storage tanks may also be reduced.
There is worldwide interest in hydrogen fuel cell technology. Governments in the United States, Europe and Japan are committing over $7 billion in the next few years to fuel cell technology development. Europe and Japan will be earlier adopters of this technology than the United States because they can experience more immediate benefits environmentally and economically. The reduction of greenhouse gases and air pollution by nations around the world through the use of hydrogen cars will contribute to improved health for everyone.
About the Author
Bob Jent is the CEO of Western Pipeline Corporation. Western Pipeline Corp specializes in identifying, acquiring and developing existing, producing reserves on behalf of its individual clients.
Hydrogen is the only fuel that is low to zero emission for vehicles. The only by-product of these cars is water vapor. Natural gas and coal are used to produce hydrogen today but in the future hydrogen will come almost entirely from renewable resources. There is a scarcity of renewable resource generation today and its high cost make natural gas from companies like Western Pipeline Corporation, the solution for hydrogen production in the near future.
Potential renewable energy resources to produce hydrogen are: wind, hydro, solar, geothermal and biomass. Hydrogen is generated by wind and solar generated electricity produced by electrolysis. If hydrogen used in hydrogen cars is created from water the energy produced makes a closed loop because the waste product is also water. Low emission of air pollutants is a key benefit of hydrogen fuel cell usage resulting in improved respiratory health particularly in urban areas that have poor air quality. Seniors and children are especially vulnerable. Air pollution can trigger attacks in people who suffer from asthma. Symptoms can increase for anyone with chronic lung, heart or circulatory conditions.
A detailed study from Stanford University revealed that up to 6,400 lives could be saved each year if all U.S. current vehicles were converted to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. When hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels it also produces greenhouse gases in carbon dioxide. However, gasoline combustion engines also produce carbon monoxide, smog-inducing nitrogen oxides and ozone and create microscopic soot particles. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that fossil-fuel automobiles emit 1 ½ billion tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere each year. If we were to move completely to hydrogen based automobiles we would eliminate over 95% of these greenhouse gases.
There would also be reduced crop damage because the use of fuel cells will reduce acid rain and ground-level ozone concentrations. Noise pollution will be reduced because fuel cells run quietly. Groundwater contamination will be reduced because fuel cells do not use motor oil and leaks from gasoline storage tanks may also be reduced.
There is worldwide interest in hydrogen fuel cell technology. Governments in the United States, Europe and Japan are committing over $7 billion in the next few years to fuel cell technology development. Europe and Japan will be earlier adopters of this technology than the United States because they can experience more immediate benefits environmentally and economically. The reduction of greenhouse gases and air pollution by nations around the world through the use of hydrogen cars will contribute to improved health for everyone.
About the Author
Bob Jent is the CEO of Western Pipeline Corporation. Western Pipeline Corp specializes in identifying, acquiring and developing existing, producing reserves on behalf of its individual clients.
A Closer Look at the GM HydroGen4 by Evander Klum
A Closer Look at the GM HydroGen4 by Evander Klum
General Motors Corporation aims to showcase its fourth generation fuel cell technology in Europe with the launch of the HydroGen4 model, a revised version of Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell that is bound for the European market.
"Fuel cell propulsion with hydrogen as a fuel highlights General Motors' commitment to take the car out of the environmental debate and reduce our dependency on oil. HydroGen4 is powered by GM's most advanced fuel cell system and marks an important milestone on the road toward completely emission-free, competitive fuel cell technology in the automobile. The HydroGen4 features considerable progress in everyday usability, dynamics and system durability compared to its predecessor." says Carl-Peter Forster, President of GM Europe.
Mr. Forster added: "The Fuel Cell Activities (FCA) research division with over 600 employees is currently being integrated into regular series development, giving it key importance within the concern. We are thus preparing for the series production of fuel cell technology."
The GM HydroGen4 is scheduled to be unveiled at the upcoming 2007 International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt this September. HydroGen4 is equipped with a fuel cell stack that consists of 440 series-connected cells. Fuel cells convert chemical energy into electrical energy without combustion through the process of electro-chemical reaction, which combines hydrogen and oxygen to form water and produce electricity as well. This power line can produce 93 kW of electrical output, combined with the 73 kW/100 hp coming from an electric motor. This powertrain package allows the GM HydroGen4 to sprint from a stand still up to 62 miles per hour in about 12 seconds with an electronically limited maximum speed of approximately 100 mph.
In addition, the GM HydroGen4 also comes with 700-bar high-pressure tanks made from carbon fiber composite material. These tanks can hold up to 4.2 kg of compressed hydrogen fuel, providing the GM HydroGen4 with 199 miles (320 km) of driving range. GM has been working with two versions of this mode: one powered by liquid hydrogen and the other with compressed hydrogen. But GM is now only focusing on the compressed hydrogen version. Dr. Udo Winter, Director, GME Fuel Cell Activities explains: "The main reason for this is the unavoidable 'boil off' that occurs with liquid hydrogen. Even with optimum insulation, the tank's contents warm up slowly, so that the liquid hydrogen vaporizes and the pressure in the tank increases. After a few days, gaseous hydrogen has to be released from the parked vehicle, leading to a loss in fuel. There are no such vapor losses ("boil off") with compressed gas, however."
Moreover, the new fuel cell propulsion system of the GM HydroGen4 comes with a nickel-metal-hydride buffer battery. This helps the entire powertrain system to gain more power output and enables regenerative braking. This feature allows the battery to be recharged using the energy produced when braking.
Other features of the GM HydroGen4 include driver and passenger frontal air bags, roof rail side-impact air bags, ABS, traction control, StabiliTrak (ESP), just to name the few. GM will reveal other features of this model at the IAA Frankfurt. GM will unveil other production and concept models in Frankfurt like the Saab Turbo X equipped with Saab clutch discs.
About the Author
Evander Klum is a Business Administration graduate who hails from Alabama. He enjoys extreme sports and he is also a car racing fanatic. At present, he works as a marketing manager at an advertising agency in Cleveland.
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General Motors Corporation aims to showcase its fourth generation fuel cell technology in Europe with the launch of the HydroGen4 model, a revised version of Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell that is bound for the European market.
"Fuel cell propulsion with hydrogen as a fuel highlights General Motors' commitment to take the car out of the environmental debate and reduce our dependency on oil. HydroGen4 is powered by GM's most advanced fuel cell system and marks an important milestone on the road toward completely emission-free, competitive fuel cell technology in the automobile. The HydroGen4 features considerable progress in everyday usability, dynamics and system durability compared to its predecessor." says Carl-Peter Forster, President of GM Europe.
Mr. Forster added: "The Fuel Cell Activities (FCA) research division with over 600 employees is currently being integrated into regular series development, giving it key importance within the concern. We are thus preparing for the series production of fuel cell technology."
The GM HydroGen4 is scheduled to be unveiled at the upcoming 2007 International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt this September. HydroGen4 is equipped with a fuel cell stack that consists of 440 series-connected cells. Fuel cells convert chemical energy into electrical energy without combustion through the process of electro-chemical reaction, which combines hydrogen and oxygen to form water and produce electricity as well. This power line can produce 93 kW of electrical output, combined with the 73 kW/100 hp coming from an electric motor. This powertrain package allows the GM HydroGen4 to sprint from a stand still up to 62 miles per hour in about 12 seconds with an electronically limited maximum speed of approximately 100 mph.
In addition, the GM HydroGen4 also comes with 700-bar high-pressure tanks made from carbon fiber composite material. These tanks can hold up to 4.2 kg of compressed hydrogen fuel, providing the GM HydroGen4 with 199 miles (320 km) of driving range. GM has been working with two versions of this mode: one powered by liquid hydrogen and the other with compressed hydrogen. But GM is now only focusing on the compressed hydrogen version. Dr. Udo Winter, Director, GME Fuel Cell Activities explains: "The main reason for this is the unavoidable 'boil off' that occurs with liquid hydrogen. Even with optimum insulation, the tank's contents warm up slowly, so that the liquid hydrogen vaporizes and the pressure in the tank increases. After a few days, gaseous hydrogen has to be released from the parked vehicle, leading to a loss in fuel. There are no such vapor losses ("boil off") with compressed gas, however."
Moreover, the new fuel cell propulsion system of the GM HydroGen4 comes with a nickel-metal-hydride buffer battery. This helps the entire powertrain system to gain more power output and enables regenerative braking. This feature allows the battery to be recharged using the energy produced when braking.
Other features of the GM HydroGen4 include driver and passenger frontal air bags, roof rail side-impact air bags, ABS, traction control, StabiliTrak (ESP), just to name the few. GM will reveal other features of this model at the IAA Frankfurt. GM will unveil other production and concept models in Frankfurt like the Saab Turbo X equipped with Saab clutch discs.
About the Author
Evander Klum is a Business Administration graduate who hails from Alabama. He enjoys extreme sports and he is also a car racing fanatic. At present, he works as a marketing manager at an advertising agency in Cleveland.
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We resale repairable insurance autos.recovered thefts,collision cars,floods all late model
Salvage Repairable Autos & SUV
Elite's speciality is damaged,salvage, rebuildable & flood cars.all late model inventory.
How Hydrogen Can Help Save the World by Michael Raber
How Hydrogen Can Help Save the World by Michael Raber
There is a lot of hype about hydrogen in the news today. Not surprisingly, this is due to our dependence on foreign oil. It is no secret that there are only two ways for the United States to experience freedom from our dependence on foreign oil: increase our production, or decrease our demand. The most promising route is to create alternative sources of energy, a source that is available in the United States. There are many options; however only one will produce fastest and most economical results and that is hydrogen.
Lawmakers and government officials have been looking at many alternative sources of energy for a long time. They have considered coal, natural gas, wind, solar, water and nuclear energy over the years. Still, the best option appears to be hydrogen, and for good reason. Hydrogen is plentiful, is more effective at storing energy than batteries, it burns twice as effectively in a fuel cell than gasoline, and leaves only water in it's wake, not chemicals.
In order to get this done in a timely manner, the US will have to put to rest the complacency and get to work. In as little as ten years we could see mass production of hydrogen-powered vehicles. Ten years, if the US develops a plan and gets to work. According to one group of researchers and developers, there are five objectives that the United States would have to take care of to make this a realization. It relies on the fact that the US would have to utilize existing infrastructures to get it done. After the supply and demand is lined up, a cleaner version of the hydrogen product could be created.
1. Come up with a solution to the hydrogen fuel-tank dilemma. In other words, should gaseous, liquid or solid hydrogen be used? The simplest of the three options would be gaseous, however the most promising would be the solid hydrogen because of the method of dispersal.
2. Mass production of fuel-cell cars would have to become priority. Today, the cars are slow to release to the public. With a mass production and release of new and fuel efficient cars, many believe that Americans will be much more responsive to the concept of a new type of vehicle.
3. The government must create the fuel infrastructure for hydrogen-powered cars. Of course, unless consumers are convinced they can fuel up when they need it, they are not going to invest in the car. The fuel-cell cars and the infrastructure will have to move forward at the same pace and get completed simultaneously.
4. Find a way to mass-produce hydrogen in a clean way. Ideally, it would be best to create a power source from solar, wind or hydropower to produce the electricity needed to split the water into hydrogen and oxygen.
5. A public campaign would have to be started to sell the new technology. American consumers are waiting for an alternative such as this. However, one key component is going to be cost. Expecting the average American consumer to shell out two to four times more for a car is not practical in today's slow economy. If the government can find a way to make a hydrogen car that is fuel efficient, clean to the environment and cost effective, they will hit a home run with the people of this country.
With costs going up for everything, Americans are desperate for an answer. Gasoline engines are no longer practical, not only because of costs but also because of our increased dependency and strained country relationships. It is time that we take matters into our own hands and introduce the energy source of the future, and that is definitely hydrogen.
Before it's too late, be Earth-Friendly, be informed, just click GLOBAL WARMING
About the Author
Hi, this is Michael Raber an avid environmentalist. I have been around and have seen the negative effects of our abuse of this world's natural resources the most alarming of which is global warming. I felt it was my obligation to do something and I wrote some articles on the subject. Give them a read and let's start making a difference for our children's sake.
There is a lot of hype about hydrogen in the news today. Not surprisingly, this is due to our dependence on foreign oil. It is no secret that there are only two ways for the United States to experience freedom from our dependence on foreign oil: increase our production, or decrease our demand. The most promising route is to create alternative sources of energy, a source that is available in the United States. There are many options; however only one will produce fastest and most economical results and that is hydrogen.
Lawmakers and government officials have been looking at many alternative sources of energy for a long time. They have considered coal, natural gas, wind, solar, water and nuclear energy over the years. Still, the best option appears to be hydrogen, and for good reason. Hydrogen is plentiful, is more effective at storing energy than batteries, it burns twice as effectively in a fuel cell than gasoline, and leaves only water in it's wake, not chemicals.
In order to get this done in a timely manner, the US will have to put to rest the complacency and get to work. In as little as ten years we could see mass production of hydrogen-powered vehicles. Ten years, if the US develops a plan and gets to work. According to one group of researchers and developers, there are five objectives that the United States would have to take care of to make this a realization. It relies on the fact that the US would have to utilize existing infrastructures to get it done. After the supply and demand is lined up, a cleaner version of the hydrogen product could be created.
1. Come up with a solution to the hydrogen fuel-tank dilemma. In other words, should gaseous, liquid or solid hydrogen be used? The simplest of the three options would be gaseous, however the most promising would be the solid hydrogen because of the method of dispersal.
2. Mass production of fuel-cell cars would have to become priority. Today, the cars are slow to release to the public. With a mass production and release of new and fuel efficient cars, many believe that Americans will be much more responsive to the concept of a new type of vehicle.
3. The government must create the fuel infrastructure for hydrogen-powered cars. Of course, unless consumers are convinced they can fuel up when they need it, they are not going to invest in the car. The fuel-cell cars and the infrastructure will have to move forward at the same pace and get completed simultaneously.
4. Find a way to mass-produce hydrogen in a clean way. Ideally, it would be best to create a power source from solar, wind or hydropower to produce the electricity needed to split the water into hydrogen and oxygen.
5. A public campaign would have to be started to sell the new technology. American consumers are waiting for an alternative such as this. However, one key component is going to be cost. Expecting the average American consumer to shell out two to four times more for a car is not practical in today's slow economy. If the government can find a way to make a hydrogen car that is fuel efficient, clean to the environment and cost effective, they will hit a home run with the people of this country.
With costs going up for everything, Americans are desperate for an answer. Gasoline engines are no longer practical, not only because of costs but also because of our increased dependency and strained country relationships. It is time that we take matters into our own hands and introduce the energy source of the future, and that is definitely hydrogen.
Before it's too late, be Earth-Friendly, be informed, just click GLOBAL WARMING
About the Author
Hi, this is Michael Raber an avid environmentalist. I have been around and have seen the negative effects of our abuse of this world's natural resources the most alarming of which is global warming. I felt it was my obligation to do something and I wrote some articles on the subject. Give them a read and let's start making a difference for our children's sake.
Learn Pros And Cons About The All Electric Car by Rico Tavares
Learn Pros And Cons About The All Electric Car by Rico Tavares
While electric cars are a relatively new automotive technology, they are although fast becoming popular worldwide. A conventional car is very different from an electric car. An all electric car is a type of vehicle that uses a mixture of various technologies such as internal combustion engines, gasoline, electric motors, and batteries to run.
All Electric Cars
All electrical cars are set on batteries that provide electricity to an electric motor in the car, the engine turns the transmission, and the transmission spins the wheels. The attempt here is to increase mileage and reduce emissions as much as possible.
Structure
The structure of the electric car is simple, with the major components being: gasoline engine, motor, generator, fuel tank, battery and transmission. Many of these components are similar, and some even identical to those in conventional cars, but electric cars have different functions and are more convenient for you, your family, and the environment.
Advantages
There are many advantages that are accompanied in an electrical vehicle. Namely, you are saving air of pollutants that would otherwise be spewing into the environment. Electrical vehicles are 100% emission free, and are free of pollution by-products. They provide their power from batteries, solar, or hydrogen fuel cells.
Electric cars therefore are emission free, compact, lightweight, and they are three times as efficient as gas engines. They also have excellent ranges, and are safe to drive.
Electrical cars combine the best of both conventional and electric cars for a true winner. They bring more clean energy from the electric motor with the long-range power of gasoline engines, really giving you the best of both worlds.
Shortcomings
Just as there are advantages, there are some drawbacks to electrical cars. Electrical cars tend to require long recharge times. This means that you can not use a car while the battery is charging. Electric cars also tend to have expensive costs associated with them, should they every break down outside the warranty coverage. Although, the good news is that over the years the repair costs have significantly come down due to manufacturers better understanding the technology, and have become much more adept to building reliable parts.
To decide your next purchase, weigh the advantages and disadvantages in order to identify what is the best electric car for you.
About the Author
Still not convinced? A plethora of information awaits you...Come in and visit our Hybrid Vehicles website.
While electric cars are a relatively new automotive technology, they are although fast becoming popular worldwide. A conventional car is very different from an electric car. An all electric car is a type of vehicle that uses a mixture of various technologies such as internal combustion engines, gasoline, electric motors, and batteries to run.
All Electric Cars
All electrical cars are set on batteries that provide electricity to an electric motor in the car, the engine turns the transmission, and the transmission spins the wheels. The attempt here is to increase mileage and reduce emissions as much as possible.
Structure
The structure of the electric car is simple, with the major components being: gasoline engine, motor, generator, fuel tank, battery and transmission. Many of these components are similar, and some even identical to those in conventional cars, but electric cars have different functions and are more convenient for you, your family, and the environment.
Advantages
There are many advantages that are accompanied in an electrical vehicle. Namely, you are saving air of pollutants that would otherwise be spewing into the environment. Electrical vehicles are 100% emission free, and are free of pollution by-products. They provide their power from batteries, solar, or hydrogen fuel cells.
Electric cars therefore are emission free, compact, lightweight, and they are three times as efficient as gas engines. They also have excellent ranges, and are safe to drive.
Electrical cars combine the best of both conventional and electric cars for a true winner. They bring more clean energy from the electric motor with the long-range power of gasoline engines, really giving you the best of both worlds.
Shortcomings
Just as there are advantages, there are some drawbacks to electrical cars. Electrical cars tend to require long recharge times. This means that you can not use a car while the battery is charging. Electric cars also tend to have expensive costs associated with them, should they every break down outside the warranty coverage. Although, the good news is that over the years the repair costs have significantly come down due to manufacturers better understanding the technology, and have become much more adept to building reliable parts.
To decide your next purchase, weigh the advantages and disadvantages in order to identify what is the best electric car for you.
About the Author
Still not convinced? A plethora of information awaits you...Come in and visit our Hybrid Vehicles website.
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