Good news for Australia in year 2005
1On October the 5th 2004, the Hon Senator Ian Campbell Minister for the Environment and Heritage allocated AUD$67m for a national program involving hydrogen depots, and up to ninety (90) fuel cell powered buses, similar to the three (3) running in Perth WA as of September 2004.The funding is designed for the next three (3) years. 2As well Tasman Resources of Western Australia has agreed to refit 10,000 buses for China, to run on HCNG (Hydrogen 20%-CNG 80%) for the 2008 Olympic games. This means mature HCNG engine technology before year 2005 ends. A HCNG Urban Transport Proposal was issued to Western Australia in April-May 2004,to highlight pollution reduction with HCNG.
3The NSW government extended its “T Way” systems with an AUD$500m allocation. Before year 2010 demand will increase and the number of buses will increase. Pollution in the NSW bus system will become an issue well before year 2010.4The CSIRO have just announced links with GM (US)/Holden (Australia) to develop hybrid power trains with electric drive systems, battery, and super-capacitors for hybrid vehicle development leading to fuel cell powered vehicles.5The Federal Department of Education and Training has just announced AUD$39m over the next seven (7) years for Australian high schools, dealing with innovative science, technology and maths projects.
INTEGRATION:
Hydrogen depots under point “1” above will mean before year 2007 NSW will have a metro hydrogen production, storage and dispensation system for fuel cell powered buses. The hydrogen depot will invariably demand a renewable hydrogen production scenario. This as well will involve experts like Linde gas, and BOC gases on the already proven dispensation side. Such a depot will as well facilitate hydrogen for CNG blending and for a HCNG fuel for HCNG powered buses and trucks, and for a small demonstration fleet of fuel cell powered vehicles. Under point “2” mature HCNG engine technology will be available for NSW and The Greater West, consistent with the future desire of the NSW bus transit authority (point “3”). This will allow HCNG technology to “run” with fuel cell bus technology, as described in the HCNG Urban Pollution Proposal; a hydrogen depot will satisfy the supply
Point”4” complements as hybrid power plant development allows for future heavy-duty hybrid power plant development. Heavy-duty electric drive train development is a requirement for fuel cell buses and fuel cell powered trucks. Fuel cell powered trucks and hybrid-powered trucks, allows Australian industry to develop everything except the fuel cell engine, which is what it cannot obviously do at the moment. Point “5” highlights the federal government’s awareness for the need of projects in Australian schools to be innovative regarding science, technology and maths. There is very little doubt the federal government will have a number of fuel cell science/engineering projects over time. Such projects involving ever increasing degrees of sophistication will mean such fuel cell projects will need a hydrogen depot supply source. Technical college involvement with high schools is highly probable for demonstration project OEMs, and local industry is certain to take a very keen interest. With fuel cell stack manufacturers like Palcan Power Systems Inc in Shanghai set to start in March 2005, $1000/kW fuel cell stacks should be available before the end of year 2005.
Renewable energy, H2 & fuel cells, to sustainable education are high on the agenda all around the world at the moment. Hydrogen and fuel cell science/engineering education has been officially acknowledged by the NSW government in year 2004.The renewable energy market in Australia did expand a lot in year 2003/04 via wind turbine deployment, and is expected to be “double digit” along with solar in year 2005,for the second year in succession.