Fuel Cell Vehicle Education Program of Australia
[F.C.V.E.P.A.]-June 06
Change the solar car programs !
Welcome to the "Era of Non-Combustion" for all fuel cell types do not burn or combust their respective fuels. This now allows us to move into a new era as opposed to the old "Combustive" one that has utilised fossil fuels like coal and oil for more than one hundred(100) years. The fuel cell vehicle (FCV) will change the car forever, when Honda (Japan) and GM (US) release their hydrogen fuel cell powered cars in years 2009/2010." ©sz
This program for Australia specifically highlights the fuel cell powered car within an educational framework. It perhaps can be looked at as a logical flow on to other prior programs held in Australia. The program will demonstrate and educate stakeholders on hydrogen fuel cell powered motor vehicles, using new and advanced models. The program is designed for all states and territories from within Australia, covering middle class, secondary high schools, colleges and universities.
Enabling this program is the current PEM fuel cells being produced in China. FCIA is currently involved in metal hydride cylinder manufacture and registration through WorkCover of NSW. As well a gas regulator system is being developed so metal hydride storage of hydrogen plus regulator will become significantly cheaper before Xmas 2006.When this system has been developed, hydrogen via metal hydride storage will satisfy not just the 12watt PEM fuel cell I recently built into the radio controlled 12watt car for <US$600, but also 100watt, 200watt and 300watt PEM fuel cells. What this means as well that fuel cell and fuel cell/battery hybrid car education programs are enabled, along with more powerful individual projects. By example the cluster of high schools can have their metal hydride cylinders re-filled by the FCIA, so the schools will have much more powerful fuel cells during year 2007.Fuel cell and fuel cell/battery hybrid car building programs will be strongly suggested. This will as well heavily involve electronics, chemistry, physics, mechanics and systems integration.
Universities:
Further to this a university structured program needs developing, by where engineering faculties from participating universities in Australia, develop an integrated program to build and race hybrid fuel cell electric vehicles. Such a program can exist within engineering faculties and be staged over time say to year 2010 and beyond. Zero emission hybrid fuel cell electric vehicles racing are very appealing, and should give students new innovation in learning along with very real cutting edge materials to work with and research and develop.
CONTACT: FCIA@Hydrogen.id.au
Fuel Cell Vehicle Alliance of Australia [ FCVAA ]
Jenny Brown-Web Master