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Clean burning, cost competitive and abundant, Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV) powered by Hydrogen are an important part of the worldwide energy and transportation puzzle. A recent Pike Research study predicted "light duty vehicles will consume 33% of total hydgrogen, and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) for stationary power will represent 27% of the total." The study goes on to predict, "forklifts will be the largest driver of hydrogen fuel demand by 2020, representing 36% of the total market." The question remains, "when can consumers expect readily available FCEV automobiles?"
FCEV utilizing Hydrogen
fuel cells are slated to take over the consumer automobile market beginning
with the 2014-2015 model years. Readily available, hydrogen can be derived from
natural gas, coal, methanol, ethanol, biomass, and even from renewable power
sources such as solar and wind energy through electrolysis. The first public hydrogen refueling station
was opened in Reykjavik, Iceland in April 2003. A number of countries across
the globe have begun prepping ‘hydrogen highways’, stretches of road where
hydrogen equipped filling stations are available to motorists. Nations with hydrogen highways include Canada, Germany,
Italy, Japan, Scandinavia, Spain and the United States.
Currently hydrogen fueling stations are being tested for safety
concerns including handling, storage and delivery. A fill-up similar to
refueling an Internal Combustion Engine must be achieved before consumers will
readily adopt the new technology. Currently the only difference between the two
types of refueling is the added step of attaching a data cable measuring
pressure, hydrogen levels and other information.
The inevitable
rush of FCEV’s has already begun, Ruth Cox of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy
Association shares, “New automobile release cycles are approximately 5 years.
Auto companies have been establishing manufacturing processes and supply chain
partnerships in advance of a 2014-2015 model year rollout.” Manufacturers
including Toyota, Daimler, GM, Honda and Hyundai are slated to release consumer
hydrogen fuel cell autos. Currently corporate fleet cars from Wal-Mart to Whole
Foods all use hydrogen fuel cell forklifts. The aforementioned Pike Research study indicates “more than 5,200
hydrogen fueling stations for cars, buses and forklifts will be operational
worldwide by 2020, up from just 200 stations in 2010.”
Ms. Cox goes on
to question the future global market conditions, “With the international
community struggling with energy demand and not currently tied to an existing
grid, they possess the ability to leapfrog to a cleaner more efficient energy
distribution system powered by Fuel Cells.” This will provide an edge in
adopting the FCEV and aid in rapid adoption of hydrogen power outside the US.
With
huge capital investment required by filling stations, factors such as the
number and pressure rating of pumps, security measures and vehicle type must be
worked out before entering the Hydrogen refueling market. There is very little
time to establish an infrastructure from scratch but progress is being made
with stationary power system and fleet refueling station development. These
capital investments may turn into a future revenue source. Hydrogen highways
are increasing in number and length. The inevitable nature of the coming
Hydrogen wave is set for the 2014-2015 model year. Will the infrastructure be
in place to support it?
Sources:
http://wisteme.com/question.view?targetAction=viewQuestionTab&id=13136
http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/fuel_cells.html
http://www.pikeresearch.com/
http://www.fchea.org/core/import/PDFs/Infrastructure%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_cell
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/
http://techcrunch.com/2011/05/11/us-first-hydrogen-fueling-station/
http://fuelcellsworks.com
http://www.caranddriver.com/
http://www.hydrogencarsnow.com | 
