[ F.C.V.A.A. ]-June 06
The FCVAA project originating in NSW, is designed to increase state and national awareness for vehicles that have fuel cell propulsion systems, and that these zero emissions vehicles represent the future of transport. The FCVAA project is as well explicitly describing to stakeholders the essential “bridging” plans required, facilitating our current position to the future mass usage of fuel cell vehicles, so current alternative fuel programs like CNG can coexist with hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, for decades to come. Moonshot 2010-The Australian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Science/Technologies Education Program is now expanding through NSW, and the FCVAA project has linked to such a program. The FCVAA project at secondary, college and university education levels, seeks to replace the existing solar car education programs in Australia with more realistic fuel cell and fuel cell/battery hybrid propulsion education programs. Portable fuel cells to power laptop computers will be commercially released from Jan.2007, the ENV [ENVY] hydrogen fuel cell powered motorbike by Intelligent Energy of the UK, will be commercially released from June 2007, and Honda Japan will commercially release their hydrogen FCV in year 2009.The FCVAA project will embrace such commercial events and assure Australia is ready for the mass production of fuel cell vehicles starting in year 2015.
The FCVAA project has built the world’s first radio controlled 12watt hydrogen fuel cell powered model car for less than US$600.The model car has been displayed during August at Fairvale High School, Fairfield High School, Canley Vale High School, St Johns Park High School, Bossley Park High School, Prairiewood High School, and Bonnyrigg High School. Another thirteen [13] SW Sydney state high schools will be visited during September and October 06, and all NSW state high schools and colleges will receive letters via their HOD Industrial Arts/Technology. University students at Curtain University of Technology WA, recently used a 12watt PEM fuel cell supplied by the FCIA and built Australia’s first 12watt fuel cell powered model car. The model car then won the CHEM-E-CAR COMPETITION held on open day [13.8.06], and will now compete in the finals in New Zealand. The existing alternative fuel program involving CNG has been embraced and advanced in a “Bridging” plan with hydrogen, so HCNG can be produced [20%hydrogen] and CNG engines re-calibrated. Lower emissions relative to CNG alone are established; hydrogen can then be supplied to dedicated hydrogen combustion engines and fuel cell vehicles [FCVs]. A smaller number of FCVs attached to the program depict where we are going to, so both technologies can coexist for years into the future. The FCVAA project communicates regularly with Shanghai China regarding technology advances. This involves new affordable fuel cell technologies for educational purposes as above, and the certification of new low pressure metal hydride hydrogen cylinders and regulators through WorkCover of NSW. The FCVAA has communicated with numerous councils in NSW and State and territory Ministers’ of Transport regarding the project. The expansion via education is assured empowering future consumers of FCVs, and the “Bridging” plan as above integrates with a possible federal [DEH] ninety [90] hydrogen fuel cell bus and hydrogen depots program starting in year 2008.Currently however The Australian Government will complete a scoping study into the technical, financial and regulatory feasibility of an Australia-wide hydrogen bus program." as at March 2006.
Policy directions by governments include the NSW Greenhouse report released in November 2005, and on page “15”, “Both the smarter use of energy and the development and uptake of innovative technology will be required if significant cuts in emissions are to be achieved cost effectively”. On page “49” of the same report, at point “3.4.9”, “ The government will continue to examine in this area and review relevant policy to ensure that the future introduction of a hydrogen economy is not impeded”. Federally there is the “Australian Hydrogen Activity May 2005” book by The D.I.T.R., which highlights all current R&D taking place in Australia regarding renewable energy, hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The federal [DEH] ninety [90] hydrogen fuel cell bus and hydrogen depots program starting in year 2008 Brisbane, subject to a scoping study into the technical, financial and regulatory feasibility of an Australia-wide hydrogen bus program. Clearly both governments have a better understanding of hydrogen fuel cell propulsions systems, and NSW have stated policy will not impede the future hydrogen economy. The transport sector specifically in NSW is affected by the project, as NSW has recently increased its CNG powered bus fleet as a future direction. The probability that CNG buses will convert to HCNG within a program is now significantly greater. The NSW Minister for Roads is currently being approached to develop a Hydrogen/CNG /FCV “bridge” plan. NSW already has two hundred [200] Toyota Prius petrol/electric hybrid cars, and could now quite easily extend this program.
Fuel Cell Institute of Australia has already communicated numerous reports across Australia to all states and territories over the last three [3] years , highlighting the rapid advancement of technologies which reduce pollution significantly. There is no doubt the current federal government’s “white paper” on energy, which seeks a technology led approach for future sustainability has adopted one or more of these reports. The NSW state government itself has received reports thus becoming more familiar with hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, and the rapid rate of growth in this area.The communication strategy for Australia was to involve the states and territories cooperatively, informing all relevant departments, ministers, and organisations so that such a cooperative would further advance hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, versus the inactivity and poor performance of our federal government. A proven strategy of communication will be used for the FCVAA project for NSW and Australia. The FCVAA project has already been directed by several state ministers to their relevant departments’ of infrastructure and planning, for progression. In NSW numerous councils, transport companies, and agencies will be formally approached apart from initial feedback. The FCVAA project will be seeking to involve Planet Ark Environmental Foundation, thus forming a powerful communication program.
Clean vehicle programs for such fuel cell or hybrid battery/fuel cell cars/buses entering the city of Sydney, and duplicated in council areas. If ten [10] Honda hydrogen fuel cell vehicles were collectively parked in Sydney, then whilst the owner/occupants were at work, each FCV could generate each 100kW[collectively one (1) MW] of peak power to the city’s electricity grid. Government buildings could supply their own car fleets with renewable hydrogen fuel. MW class stationary fuel cells will produce tonnes of pure water [formed from gases] daily. The FCVAA project will generate commercial fleet activity involving taxis, courier companies and major demonstration programs. The industrialisation of heavy and light vehicle power train propulsion systems will begin, involving all relevant communities. Such hybrid battery/fuel cell power propulsion systems will be adapted to stationary decentralised “Green” power supply systems linking to solar energy and intelligent “switching” between such for future housing and industry. Fuel cell powered locomotion will be analysed for our future trains so electrification can be dispensed with, and less electricity is consumed by electrification. All Australian citizens would be aware of fuel cell propulsion systems by year 2010, empowering all Australians as future consumers. Australia will thus be able to facilitate the mass production of fuel cell vehicles by year 2015.Hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles will “leapfrog” all alternative fuel programs by year 2010, depicting the real future of zero emission transport at >50% efficiency.
The FCVAA project seeks to bring into Australia from June 2007, a limited number of the ENV hydrogen fuel cell powered motorbikes. The councils of Sydney, Ballina, Holroyd, Rockdale, and Hornsby have shown initial interest. The FCVAA project is designed to promote and integrate fuel cell vehicle participation from across all states and territories of Australia. The [ FCVAA ] will partner similar leading organisations from around the world like the California Fuel Cell Partnership program .Australia like all other countries is challenged by the pollution associated with transportation. A technology led approach to this problem is highly desirable, considering that crude oil supplies are lower than expected, geo-political issues are now serious, and Australia will begin to go into the "red' regarding its carbon trading account by year 2010, and rely totally on imports from ~year 2020.A proposal to have compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles retrofitted to operate on a 20% blend of hydrogen (HCNG), has already been put to the NSW state government via its Climate Action Grants program. The Urban Transport Pollution Abatement proposal originated in year 2004, and seeks a limited number of CNG powered buses to be recalibrated to operate on HCNG(20% blend of hydrogen). What this achieves is firstly HCNG produces less pollution than CNG alone, and secondly it demands that hydrogen depots be "on the ground". Such hydrogen depots then allow for hydrogen to be supplied to a small fleet of fuel cell powered vehicles.Both technologies can co-exist into the future for decades, one displays where we are at now and other where we are going[ Zero emission ].
Fuel Cell Cycling in the Cities
[FCCC]
Fuel Cell Cycling in the Cities [FCCC] is a new program involving in getting people to cycling in the city with the aid of fuel cell propulsion systems. The FCCC is a program designed to get people fitter, thinking about fitness/health, reducing air pollution, and to depict the future of zero emission transport and allowing the community to become familiar with the technology. The FCIA created this program some time ago awaiting the appropriate timing to release such, and given fuel cell development of late that time is now.
Participants please email fcia@hydrogen.id.au
Stephen Zorbas 2006
E-mail : FCVAA@hydrogen.id.au
Post to: PO Box 95 North Revesby NSW 2212 Australia.
Jenny Brown-Web Master
freeenergynews.com/Directory/FuelCell/index.html http://www.time.com/time/2001/inventions/go/inbike.html http://www.planetark.com/envpicstory.cfm/newsid/29180 http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-46108.htmlCell Works Fuel Cells 2000,UTC Fuel Cells NFCRC: Home PageCalifornia Fuel Cell Partnership , Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Investor FuelCell Energy: Home The Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Letter, Fuel Cell Today - Opening doors to fuel cells commercialisation , EERE: Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Infrastructure Technologies Program , Ballard Power Systems - Home , Cell Store.com offers fuel cells and related products , Nuvera Fuel Cells :: Home , Collecting