Army backs the hydrogen highway

(Credit: Proton Energy Systems)

In a side bet on "green power," the U.S. Army has awarded a $1.8 million contract to develop hydrogen filling stations for military vehicles, hoping it pays off with reduced fossil-fuel consumption and increased efficiency.

At first glance, this may appear to be a throwaway investment for the Army. Hydrogen fuel requires such a large amount of energy to separate it from water and to compress or liquefy before it's delivered to the user, that it has been criticized as neither sustainable nor an economic alternative to fossil fuels.

However the contractor, Proton Energy Systems claims its patented proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis technology produces hydrogen at 200 psig, eliminating the need for mechanical compression and the weighty high-pressure storage tanks that make the fuel so noncompetitive. (PDF)

The Wallingford, Conn.-based company also claims its on-site hydrogen production is a "zero pollution process." This addresses another issue. Hydrogen, as fuel, is not naturally occurring-it can't be mined or pumped out of the ground- it must be synthesized, and that takes electricity, which means that it is competing with its own energy source. Proton Energy Systems counters by pointing out that its hydrogen generators can integrate with renewable electricity or hybrid power sources.

Critics scoff that if renewable and hybrid power sources were so dependable and readily available, we wouldn't be wasting time on hydrogen.

Still, to many the hydrogen highway sounds like--if not a sure bet, at least a safe one. (PDF)

"The United States military is dedicated to developing the latest technology that will ultimately enable the realization of a state-of-the art hydrogen powered installation vehicle fleet which supports our petroleum reduction goals," Proton quotes Paul Skalny, director of the U.S. Army's National Automotive Center, in its announcement this week.

[ferretboy88]

Go Army!

[Commander_Spock]

So, what about the the energy self sufficiency programs for the Navy, the Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard....?

[assman]

It's less than $2 million.. more than worth the investment. Often technology incorporated by the military trickles down into public consumption at a later point (ala the internet). Even if hydrogen isn't a sensible source, it's better than foreign oil.

[canberra_photographer]

When you think about it, some of the best, most groundbreaking innovations have come from the military. We'd still be using Telex to send messages if not for the DoD developing the internet.

[Wiggletoe]

You are in extreme error as hydrogen will be far more economical. Fuel cell cars are 3 - 4 times as efficient as regular cars (45% verses 15%) plus the regenerative braking. And in this world, hydrogen is made from natural gas and please remember, prefection is the enemy of great. Companies like Air Products sell common commercial reformers in a number of capacities off-the-shelf with advertized efficiencies in the 90% range. Sooo...., the hydrogen distribution system is the national natural gas storage and distribution system with a common commercial reformer at your local service station. Frost and Sullivan study indicates a 70% reduction in carbon emissions.
Then, a future source of hydrogen is reform of ethanol made from sugarcane produced in the US, i.e., southern LA and TX also FL, AL, MS, where it will be piped to market in updated (replace seals) existing gasoline piping system. This requires incredible volumes of sugarcane, we may need to raise cane in Cuba. Also, current fuel cells require platinum and there isn't near enough production but very recent research indicates that goretex is a superior replacement. Now take a look at your fuel cell future http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/19/la-2008-honda-surprises-with-fc-sport-fuel-cell-sports-car-conc/.

[Catnap23]

Any time renewable, non-polluting energy is mentioned the naysayers come out in droves. Many times it's the environmentalists leading the charge. Take Bobby Kennedy, for instances. He opposes wind power because it might "pollute the view from his yacht. I guess if non-polluting energy were to come about and our dependency on foreign sources were to end, the radical left would have nothing to complaint about.

[magvine]

"Hydrogen is not naturally occurring..." did you flunk 9th grade physical science? Hydrogen is the most abudent element in our universe. It is what powers the sun. Of course it is also the most reactive element, so of course, here on Earth, it is found combined with other elements, so it needs to processed out. Funny thing is, gassoline dosen't come straight out of the ground, and needs to be processed too.

Stick to talking about computers, leave chemistry to people who passed highschool.