Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus Fleets

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Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus Fleets
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POLICY DESCRIPTION 1The use of hydrogen as a
vehicle fuel

• For the short term
• diminishes our reliance on imported oil and
  ensures a more secure energy future.

http//www.dpi.wa.gov.au/fuelcells/faqs.html
3
POLICY DESCRIPTION 2The use of hydrogen as a
vehicle fuel

• In the long run
• brings us one step closer to the hydrogen
  economy

hydrogen
http//www.ott.doe.gov/pdfs/trb2000.pdf
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What is the goal of the hydrogen economy?

• Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the
  universe, however, it doesnt exist in its pure
  form on earth. It must be extracted.

• The goal is to extract hydrogen cleanly -
  avoiding the pollution that comes from relying on
  a carbon fuel as the energy carrier.

http//www.dpi.wa.gov.au/fuelcells/hydrotech.html
http//www.h2fuelcells.org/commentary1_1.html
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Why should we pursue the hydrogen economy? 1

• Domestic fossil fuel supply is down

http//www.phoenixproject.net/abstract.pdf
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Why should we pursue the hydrogen economy? 2

• Energy consumption will likely rise exponentially

http//www.phoenixproject.net/abstract.pdf
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Where are we getting our hydrogen from today?
http//www.dpi.wa.gov.au/fuelcells/hydrotech.html 
http//www.h2fuelcells.org/commentary1_1.html
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Why not get hydrogen from other fossil fuels? 1

• Natural Gas is potentially the most abundant
  fossil fuel

http//www.ott.doe.gov/pdfs/trb2000.pdf
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Why not get hydrogen from other fossil fuels? 2

• The expansive existing infrastructure for
  delivering gasoline makes even that dirty fuel an
  option.

http//www.h2fuelcells.org/commentary1_1.html http
//mail.infomagic.net/fdsc/servicestationglare.htm
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Why not get hydrogen from renewables? 1

• Although the technology is at our fingertips,
  renewable hydrogen is currently too expensive

Secure Insecure
Inexpensive -Conventional Natural Gas -FT Diesel -Methanol -Stranded NG
Expensive -Renewable Hydrogen -Hydrates -Domestic Ethanol -Renewable Electric
http//www.ott.doe.gov/pdfs/trb2000.pdf
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Why not get hydrogen from renewables? 2

• For the long run, weve got to keep our eyes on
  the prize.

http//www.nmsea.org/Curriculum/7_12/electrolysis/
electrolysis.htm http//www.h2fuelcells.org/commen
tary1_1.html
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SUMMARY OF PROBLEMS

1. Supply Costs
2. Infrastructure Development
3. Safety

• There are three
• main obstacles to
• hydrogen fuel cell
• bus fleets

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Problem 1 Supply Costs

1. Hydrogen Fuel Costs
2. Bus Costs
3. Cost of Facilities

• Supply costs include

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Problem 1(A) Hydrogen Fuel Costs

• The most economical hydrogen fueling scenarios
  cost around 15-20/GJ delivered to the vehicle
  (without taxes), which is two to three times more
  than gasoline before taxes.

• According to EIA energy price projections,
  electrolyzer-based hydrogen production is costly,
  resulting in a hydrogen cost of around 40/GJ
  (without taxes).

• The Energy Information Agency (EIA) is part of
  the DOE

http//www-db.research.anl.gov/db1/cartech/documen
t/DDD/192.pdf http//www.cartech.doe.gov/research/
fuels/best-fuels.html
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Problem 1(B) Bus Costs

• The busses will cost too much until they can be
  mass produced

http//www.hfcletter.com/letter/february01/feature
.html
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Problem 1(C) Cost of Facilities

• Cost of Compressing H2

http//www.cai-infopool.org/downloads/fuel-cell-bu
s-evaluation-sunline.pdf
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Problem 1(C) Cost of Facilities

• Cost of Storing H2

http//www.cai-infopool.org/downloads/fuel-cell-bu
s-evaluation-sunline.pdf
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Problem 1(C) Cost of Facilities

• Cost of Dispensing H2

http//www.cai-infopool.org/downloads/fuel-cell-bu
s-evaluation-sunline.pdf http//www.hygen.com/sola
r_hydrogen_vehicle_project.htm
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Problem 1(C) Cost of Facilities

• Cost of Maintenance Facilities

http//www.cai-infopool.org/downloads/fuel-cell-bu
s-evaluation-sunline.pdf http//www.rio02.de/proce
edings/ppt/217_Schettino.pdf
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Problem 1(C) Cost of Facilities

• Significant startup costs are needed

http//www.cai-infopool.org/downloads/fuel-cell-bu
s-evaluation-sunline.pdf
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Problem 2 Infrastructure Development

1. Technology Providers
2. Refueling Station Investment
3. General Investment

• Infrastructure development includes

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Problem 2(A) Technology Providers

• Two main technology providers are

1. Ballard Power Systems Inc.
2. MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG

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Ballard Power Systems Inc. 1

• The Nebus

• The DaimlerChrysler New Electric Bus
  impressively demonstrated the possibilities of
  fuel cells in the heavy-duty sector

http//www.ballard.com/tD.asp?pgid26dbid0
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Ballard Power Systems Inc. 2

• The P3 Bus

• Three local busses in Chicago and three in
  Vancouver, using Ballard fuel cell engines proved
  their efficiency in everyday operation during two
  separate two-year test programs.
• Collectively these six busses traveled over
  73,000 miles in revenue service carrying over
  200,000 passengers.

http//www.ballard.com/tD.asp?pgid26dbid0
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Ballard Power Systems Inc. 3

• The ZEbus

• The ZEbus was demonstrated with the SunLine
  Transit Agency for a one-year period in Thousand
  Palms, California, as part of the California Fuel
  Cell Partnership.

http//www.ballard.com/tD.asp?pgid26dbid0
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Ballard Power Systems Inc. 4

• The Citaro Fuel Cell Bus

• Ballard began delivery of fuel cell bus engines
  in late 2002 for the 30 Mercedes-Benz Citaro
  busses to be used in the European Fuel Cell Bus
  Project.
• These busses will be delivered to 10 European
  cities beginning in 2003 as the EU leads the way
  in the adoption of zero-emission fuel cell
  technology.

http//www.ballard.com/tD.asp?pgid26dbid0
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Ballard Power Systems Inc. 5

• The Citaro Fuel Cell Bus

• Citaro Fuel Cell Busses will also be operating in
  Perth, Western Australia

http//www.dpi.wa.gov.au/fuelcells/technology.html
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MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG 1

• MAN AG has been providing hydrogen bus
  technology, primarily in Munich, Germany, since
  1996

http//www.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/hy
drogen/iea/pdfs/bavarian_proj.pdf
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MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG 2

• MAN AGs most recent project is for a Berlin,
  Lisbon, and Copenhagen bus trial.
• If successful, conversion of a large portion of
  the bus fleet and a stationary filling station
  will be implemented.

http//www.eihp.org/eihp1/workshop/experts/bvg/sta
rt.html http//www.bizspaceautomobile.com/fuel_cel
l_bus.htm
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MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG 3
http//www.bizspaceautomobile.com/fuel_cell_bus.ht
m http//www.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/
hydrogen/iea/pdfs/bavarian_proj.pdf
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Problem 2(A) Technology Providers

• Just like the first automobiles, fuel cell busses
  have not yet achieved a standard design.
• The fuel cell busses in existence worldwide show
  a wide range of technical solutions because the
  automotive supplier base is only still forming.

http//www.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/hy
drogen/iea/pdfs/bavarian_proj.pdf
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Problem 2(A) Technology Providers

• However, the supplier base is forming

http//www.dpi.wa.gov.au/fuelcells/presentations/h
amburg/page30.html
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Problem 2(B) Refueling Station Investment

• Refueling stations can be either portable or
  stationary.

• The refueling station infrastructure is slowly
  becoming a reality.

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Problem 2(B) Refueling Station Investment

• Munich airport's new hydrogen filling station

• In June 1999, an 18 million hydrogen production
  fueling station opened at the Munich Airport

http//www.hfcletter.com/letter/june99/feature.htm
l
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Problem 2(B) Refueling Station Investment

• In October 2002, two new hydrogen fueling
  stations opened in CA and Germany.
• In November 2002, a third opened in Nevada.
• More sites around Los Angeles are moving towards
  approval, and fueling equipment is beginning to
  be ordered for Europe's 10-city fuel cell urban
  bus project.

• The latest addition to the growing number of
  hydrogen fueling facilities worldwide is located
  in Richmond, CA

http//www.hfcletter.com/letter/November02/feature
s.html
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Problem 2(B) Refueling Station Investment

• In July 2001, the first solar-powered hydrogen
  production and fueling station in the Los Angeles
  area was opened by American Honda Motor Co.

http//www.hfcletter.com/letter/august01/
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Problem 2(B) Refueling Station Investment

• A solar-powered, permanent hydrogen fueling
  station using electrolysis is the ideal scenario.

http//www-building.arct.cam.ac.uk/westc/pv/pv.htm
l
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Stuart Energy Refueling Facilities 1

• Clean Air Now Project (1995-1997)

• Over a period of two years, Stuart Energy fueled
  a fleet of hydrogen vehicles at Xerox's site in
  El Segundo, California, using hydrogen produced
  from solar power.

http//www.stuartenergy.com/main_trans.html
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Stuart Energy Refueling Facilities 2

• Coast Mountain Transit Project (1998-2000)

• Stuart Energy fueled three hydrogen fuel cell
  buses used by Coast Mountain Transit in its
  regular fleet in the city of Vancouver.

http//www.stuartenergy.com/main_trans.html
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Stuart Energy Refueling Facilities 3

• SunLine Transit (2000-)

• In California, Stuart Energy is providing
  hydrogen fuel to SunLine Transit Agency for a
  fuel cell bus.
• To meet the hydrogen needs of participants of the
  California Fuel Cell Partnership, the Stuart
  Energy fueler will be available to the public for
  refueling as hydrogen cars are introduced in the
  area.

http//www.stuartenergy.com/main_trans.html
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Stuart Energy Refueling Facilities 4

• B.C. Hydro-Powertech Labs
• NRC Fuel Cell Technology Center (2001-)

• In Surrey and Vancouver, B.C., to demonstrate
• the benefits of compressed hydrogen as a vehicle
  fuel, and
• water electrolysis as the preferred technology
  for generating that hydrogen.

http//www.stuartenergy.com/main_trans.html
42
Stuart Energy Refueling Facilities 5

• Ford Motor Company (2001-)

• To the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan.
• Ford will conduct evaluations and provide
  information on usability and performance of the
  fueler.

Ford Motor Co. research vice president Bill
Powers explains details of Ford's new hydrogen
gas station.
http//www.stuartenergy.com/main_trans.html http/
/www.hfcletter.com/letter/september99/SeptemberFea
ture.html
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Stuart Energy Refueling Facilities 6

• Ford Th!nk (2002-)

• In Arizona, where the components are mounted on a
  single trailer and packaged to enable the system
  to be easily transported.
• This station can produce 1 kg of hydrogen an
  hour and can meet the daily fueling needs of a
  small fleet of vehicles.

http//www.stuartenergy.com/main_trans.html
44
Stuart Energy Refueling Facilities 7

• California Fuel Cell Partnership Station (2002-)

• This station provides high-purity hydrogen fuel
  to demonstration fuel cell vehicles of the
  California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP), and is
  located at the Richmond Operating Division of AC
  Transit, also an associate member of the CaFCP.

http//www.stuartenergy.com/main_trans.html
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Stuart Energy Refueling Facilities 8

• Hydrogen Energy Station (2003-)

• In Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, the fueler is
  composed of an indoor hydrogen generator,
  compression system, storage system, and
  hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine
  gen-set as well as an external vehicle fueling
  dispenser.

http//www.stuartenergy.com/main_trans.html
46
Stuart Energy Refueling Facilities 9

• City of Chula Vista (2003-)

• To the City of Chula Vista, CA, in cooperation
  with SunLine Transit Agency, a fast-fill,
  portable hydrogen fueling station enabling the
  City of Chula Vista to test and demonstrate fuel
  cell busses and other hydrogen vehicles.
• The fueler produces over 3 kg of hydrogen per
  hour and can fuel up to 3 buses a day.

http//www.stuartenergy.com/main_trans.html
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Stuart Energy Refueling Facilities 10

• For 2003, Stuart Energy is planning hydrogen
  fuelling stations in Barcelona, Amsterdam, Hong
  Kong, Malmo and Stockholm Sweden.

http//www.stuartenergy.com/main_trans.html
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Problem 2(C) General Investment

• General Investment in the hydrogen fuel cell bus
  infrastructure continues to grow.

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Problem 2(C) General Investment

• General investment in the hydrogen fuel cell bus
  infrastructure tends to follow a 3-step model
  covering a period of at least 20 years.

http//www.rio02.de/proceedings/ppt/217_Schettino.
pdf
50
Problem 2(C) General Investment

• A few of the biggest general investors migrating
  toward the hydrogen economy

• Ford, Chrysler, Westinghouse, DuPont, General
  Motors, Sandia National Labs, Toyota, Texaco,
  Exxon, Daimler-Benz, Renault, Honda, Siemens,
  Nissan, Volkswagen, Jet Propulsion Lab, Los
  Alamos National Laboratory, BMW, PSA Peugeot
  Citroën, AlliedSignal, Mazda, Volvo . . .

http//www.wired.com/wired/archive/5.10/hydrogen.h
tml?pg7topic
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Problem 2(C) General Investment

• President Bush proposed 1.2 billion for hydrogen
  research in State of the Union Message
• (Jan 28, 2003)

http//www.hfcletter.com/letter/JanSpecial/
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Problem 2(C) General Investment

• The United Nations gives 60 million to 5
  developing nations for hydrogen fuel cell bus
  fleet demonstration projects.

http//www.hfcletter.com/letter/february01/
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Problem 3 Safety

• Is hydrogen safe?

• Every time I think about hydrogen I remember
  the Zeppelin

http//www.dpi.wa.gov.au/fuelcells/presentations/g
ermanhydrogen/p3.html
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Problem 3 Safety

• The Hindenburg explosion is not attributed to
  hydrogen.
• The Hindenburgs outer shell was coated with a
  highly flammable paint.

http//www.dpi.wa.gov.au/fuelcells/presentations/g
ermanhydrogen/p22.html
http//www.dpi.wa.gov.au/fuelcells/safet
y.html
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Problem 3 Safety

• Durable tanks add to safety

http//www.eihp.org/eihp1/workshop/experts/bvg/sta
rt.html
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Problem 3 Safety

• Which car would you rather be in?

Hydrogen Leak
Gasoline Leak
http//www.dpi.wa.gov.au/fuelcells/safety.html
57
Problem 3 Safety

• Codes and standards are currently being developed
  by national and international organizations
  around the world.

• When handled properly, hydrogen is at least as
  safe as any other fuel.

http//www.dpi.wa.gov.au/fuelcells/safety.html
58
SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS
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Conclusion 1 Supply Costs

• Conclusion 1(A) Hydrogen Fuel Costs

• Hydrogen from renewables will need policy
  assistance and lower cost to be competitive.
• Transit busses are one of the best applications
  because they are government subsidized.

http//www.cai-infopool.org/downloads/fuel-cell-bu
s-evaluation-sunline.pdf
60
Conclusion 1 Supply Costs

• Conclusion 1(B) Bus Costs

• Hydrogen Fuel Cell Busses should reach reasonable
  market prices in just a few years.

http//www.dpi.wa.gov.au/fuelcells/safety.html
61
Conclusion 1 Supply Costs

• Conclusion 1(C) Cost of Facilities

• Because hydrogen fuel cell bus fleets are
  centrally located, the facilities can be used
  most effectively.
• Transit busses are one of the best applications
  because they are government subsidized.

http//www.cai-infopool.org/downloads/fuel-cell-bu
s-evaluation-sunline.pdf
62
Conclusion 2 Infrastructure Development

• Conclusion 2(A) Technology Providers

• Although hundreds of hydrogen fuel cell busses
  have been produced, technology providers need to
  mature into mass production.
• Ballard Power Systems Inc. seems to be on its
  way, serving orders of 30 or more.

http//www.ballard.com/tD.asp?pgid26dbid0
63
Conclusion 2 Infrastructure Development

• Conclusion 2(B) Refueling Station Investment

• Refueling stations can be provided by Stuart
  Energy.
• Local initiatives and the automotive sector have
  been successfully bringing mobile and stationary
  refueling stations into existence primarily in
  the US and the EU.
• Because hydrogen fuel cell busses are centrally
  located, the need for a nationwide infrastructure
  is not very strong.

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Conclusion 2 Infrastructure Development

• Conclusion 2(C) General Investment

• Attention and investment from the auto industry,
  President Bush, and the United Nations are good
  indications that a hydrogen economy is on its
  way, at least initially, through hydrogen fuel
  cell bus fleets.

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Conclusion 3 Safety

• Which car would you rather be in?

Hydrogen Leak
Gasoline Leak
http//www.dpi.wa.gov.au/fuelcells/safety.html