Concerns About Development of Hydrogen Tech for Vehicles/Transportation

This article illustrates exactly the concerns I have about the development of hydrogen technology for vehicle/transportation. 

The core issues in Vancouver boil down to the cost of operation, availability of hydrogen, and lack of infrastructure. 

This is exactly why I lobby against further investments in this hydrogen technology and misguided policy based on the promise of this fuel source.  

Hydrogen Fuel Run Bus in Vancouver, B.C.

If the technology was perfected and $ billions spent on infrastructure over the next 1 to 2 decades - the result could not begin to equal the performance, availability and cost of electric vehicle technology available today.

Is this worth the wasted capital investments and time consumed when we have competing electric or even natural gas NOW? The pursuit of hydrogen is as much a possibility as building small, individual nuclear reactors for every car and truck in the US in our pursuit of 'cleaner' energy - nonexistent.

Government policy and the dedication of resources devoted to hydrogen when electricity represents a ubiquitous source of clean energy for transportation especially when sourced from wind & solar, is akin to rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic, while we are witnessing the catastrophic impacts from Climate Change.

Don Bowen

Principal 

Meridian Associates, Inc.

Vancouver Ends Hydrogen Bus Program Amid HighCosts

"Additional Incentives Offered for Those Who Reach 500kW or More..."

Con Edison and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) have teamed up to offer Con Edison customers increased incentives for developing and installing energy efficiency and demand management projects. Their aim is to get business to reduce high demand on the electric system during peak usage times in the summer, which they define as between 2pm and 6pm Monday through Friday from June 1st to September 30th, excluding days of recognized holidays. This measure will have save energy and hopefully reduce the high-cost, financially and environmentally, of business energy usage. 

Under the terms of the agreement, new systems must be in place before June 1st, 2016 in order to qualify, and must reduce peak demand usage by 50 kW or more, with additional incentives offered for those who reach 500kW or more in reduction (although financial incentives are capped at 50% of installed project cost). This reduction will help stabilize and fortify the electric grid, so brown-outs and dropping won't be as prevalent while reducing costs all around. 

Thermal and battery storage are the largest incentives available, but other projects, including revamping the lighting and switching the fuel system for the AC in the building are also available. However, before any modifications take place, Con Edison must evaluate qualification for the program with pre-installation inspections and technical reviews. Doing all that work and failing to qualify would be a real disappointment. 

For more information on the program and technical requirements, visit: 

http://www.coned.com/energyefficiency/demand_management_incentives.asp 

Liked what you heard above but don't live in New York or are a customer of Con Edison? Con Edison may not be in every state, but energy companies like National Grid offer many incentive programs for more efficient technology, and State Governments generally do so as well. To find energy efficiency incentives in your state, 

visit http://www.dsireusa.org/. 

Written & researched by Meridian Associates, Inc's.
intern Deborah Manchester from Montserrat College of Art.