Is a Hydrogen Economy Around the Corner?
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| Hydrogen is the building block of the Universe. Will it also become the building block of our transportation infrastructure? General Motors certainly believes so. It's Hywire concept, the first drivable vehicle that combines a hydrogen fuel cell with by-wire technology, makes a hydrogen economy an intriguing prospect. (Photo: General Motors) |
Last week Shell Hydrogen and General Motors announced that they will be combining resources to help make hydrogen fuel cell vehicles more commercially viable.
"The partnership brings together two leaders in hydrogen energy and transportation to take a coordinated, comprehensive approach," said Donald Huberts, chief executive officer of Shell Hydrogen. "By combining GM's expertise in vehicle technology with Shell's leadership in fueling technologies, the initiative represents an important step forward in the commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles."
Instead of just talking the talk the two companies are beginning to walk the walk with a real-life demonstration of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and fueling infrastructure technology in the Washington, D.C. area. The project will showcase the United States' first hydrogen pump at a Shell retail gas station, supporting a GM fleet of fuel cell vehicles.
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| Is this what lies in store for our future? Considering the clouds above this filling station would be nothing more than water vapor it's a pretty attractive scenario. (Photo: Shell Hydrogen) |
"We believe in hydrogen as one of the world's principal energy resources far into the future," stated Don Huberts, Chief Executive Officer, Shell Hydrogen. He continued, "Our aims are two-fold. Firstly, we will promote and support the development of the fuel processing devices and technical solutions that the world needs to successfully convert fossil fuels to hydrogen. Secondly, we are preparing ourselves to help meet the world's future demand for hydrogen in whatever forms the markets decide they want it."
Meeting the world is right. Even tiny Luxemburg is getting into the action. On Thursday, March 13, Shell Hydrogen announced that it will provide funding and technological know-how for the construction of a hydrogen refueling station in Europe's smallest country. The operation is part of an initiative by the European Union to demonstrate how fuel cell buses can provide clean urban transport across the continent.
While a hydrogen economy isn't exactly on our doorstep, it's becoming more of a future reality every day.