Sustainable Lifestyles: The Good H2: Quick Information on California’s Hydrogen (H2) Revolution

Riding Clean on the Hydrogen Highway

While sustainable living involves greater consciousness in regard to environmental and social decisions, its rewards are certainly sweet.

Sustainable Investments from Green Building to Organic Products are far outpacing the mainstream. Sustainable Energy and Fuel Production from element utilization is no exception.

Alternative Fuels

Alternative fuels and energy can be sought from Solar, Geothermal, Wind, Biomass, Biodiesel, Ethanol, Natural Gas, and other sources. (Alternative Fuels Data Center: http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/altfuel/altfuels.html)

These energy systems, when utilized responsibly, will all greatly contribute to the environmental and economic health of the U. S. and the planet.

H2 Recognition

According to Paul Mc Lachlan, Director of Pivotal Engineering of New Zealand, “Hydrogen is recognized as the cleanest and most sustainable fuel option for the long-term survival of our lifestyle on this planet.” because, “It is the only CO2/GHG emission free fuel available.”

Hydrogen can be used to power vehicles by either:

•Burning it in an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) or
•Defusing through a fuel cell to produce electricity and drive vehicles with electric motors

Hydrogen Fuel Production

Hydrogen can be produced using a wide range of domestic resources such as natural gas, biomass, and other renewable energy technologies, such as wind, solar, and geothermal. Other, less responsible ways of production include hydro-electric power, coal (with carbon sequestration), and nuclear foundations.

Current research focuses on developing and producing hydrogen in economically and environmentally friendly manners.

Hydrogen Fuel Cells

According to Wikipedia, “A Fuel Cell is an electrochemical device similar to a battery, but differing… in that it is designed for continuous replenishment of the reactants consumed; i.e. it produces electricity from an external fuel supply as opposed to the limited internal energy storage capacity of a battery.”

An Introduction to Fuel Cell Power Modules

Fuel cell Power Modules serve a range of mobility and backup power applications designed for everything from power train components to businesses which rely on networks such as database centers or telecom infrastructure.
•For more information please visit: http://www.FuelCellStandards.com
•To learn about FC Modules and Back-up systems please visit usa@hydrogenics.com

National and State Alternative Fuel Acts

The Alternative Fuel Standard Act (AFSA)

The Alternative Fuel Standard Act recently proposed by the Bush Administration amounts to a sustainable energy Campaign designed to enhance investments in Corn Based Ethanol favoring Large Agri-Business Corporations over national economic and health, and food reserves.

To learn more visit: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_4371.cfm http://globalpublicmedia.com/top_energy_scientists_agree_bush_wrong_on_alternative_fuels

The AFSA favors one type of alternative energy over others and allows for, according to Governor Schwarzenegger, “the government rather than the market or consumers, to determine the alternative fuel, winners and losers.” The Governor adds that “while not capping emissions, it potentially enables more global warming since some alternative fuels may produce more GHG emissions than current fuels.” http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/03/bush_administra.html

AB 23: Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA)

Because California is the 12th largest producer of Carbon Dioxide, California has committed to reducing its global warming emissions to 2000 levels by 2010 (11% below business as usual), to1990 levels by 2020 (25% below business as usual), and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.

For more information please visit: Fact Sheet of the Union of Concerned Scientists: http://www.law.stanford.edu/program/centers/enrlp/pdf/AB-32-fact-sheet.pdf

With the GWSA and the establishment of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, California has become a Global Leader regarding these issues.

California Hydrogen Business Council

The CHBC, one of the leading Hydrogen Use and Transportation organizations in the world, is working to support the growth of hydrogen’s commercial use, new applications and transition into a new energy structure.

The goals of the CHBC include:

•Promotion, Conduction and Growth of the H2 Business
•Facilitation of Strategic Alliances
•Support/Access to H2 Business Information
•Identification of Opportunities for H2 Technologies
•Coordination of Regional Strengths to Build the H2 Infrastructure
•Pursuit of Cooperative Ventures
•Coordination with and Support of the National Hydrogen Association and other Industry Organizations

For more information please visit www.CaliforniaHydrogen.org

Riding Clean on the Hydrogen Highway

California currently boasts the Nations largest Hydrogen Highway network which currently extends from Chula Vista in southern California, to Arcata (Humboldt University) near the Oregon Border.

The future of hydrogen is here. According to the California Hydrogen Energy Report, daily ridership of hydrogen vehicles in California has already doubled since the start of 2006. By 2009 there is likely to be more than 10,000 riders of hydrogen vehicles (single and mass transit), and by 2012 there should be over 100,000.

While current research is being done to have a fueling station in South Lake Tahoe this year, Reno should have a station set by this fall.

A few types of Hydrogen Vehicles include Toyota, Honda, BMW and Nissan’s, Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV’s), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV’s), Internal Combustion Engines (ICE’s), Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFV’s) and more. Please visit http:/ / www.greencarcongress.com/2007/02/air_products_in.html for more information on Sustainable Mobility information

H2 Pros and Cons

Pros
•Zero Emissions
•Greater Overall Safety*
•Billions of dollars saved in Environmentally Related Health and Ecological Costs
•Billions of dollars invested by Vehicle Manufacturers in H2
•Billions of dollars invested by Oil Companies in H2

Cons
•Storage and Range
•H2 Vehicles Still Costly between $40,000 and $1,000,000 +
•Minimal Infrastructure
•Expensive Fuel
•Competes with Hybrid and Biofuel Alternatives
•Few Vehicles*

*Safety was listed as both pro and con in the first issue of the Clean Fleet Report for 2006

H2 Education

There are several ways to enhance your knowledge of advanced sustainable energy and transportation technologies.

Information is available online, in libraries and bookstores, through classes at environmental and sustainable business institutions and through a variety of workshops and conferences.

Utilizing local and regional services increases local business and environmental health increasing economic and community development and participation.

Invest well.