Chu sees benefits of hydrogen fuel cells
Jul 7 - Anna Dolianitis Aiken Standard, S.C.
Local hydrogen advocates are encouraged by Secretary of
Energy Steven Chu's change of heart about the benefits of
hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Since his appointment in 2009, Chu has doubted the future of
hydrogen and fuel cell technology and requested substantial
cutbacks in the Department of Energy budget for hydrogen
research, but he recently voiced support for the initiatives.
In a media interview with an industry news program last
month, Chu admitted that, initially, he did not have much faith
in hydrogen technology.
"Several things changed my mind. The most important thing
that changed my mind was the fact that we now have natural gas
in abundance... hydrogen is reformed from natural gas," Chu said
in the June 22 interview with AutoLine Daily.
He also said the technology would allow for natural gas to
burn in a partial oxygen atmosphere, which would result in a
pure stream of hydrogen and carbon dioxide and the production of
energy.
"In my opinion, that was quite a statement for him to make
and, I think, quite a realization on his part that there is a
bright future for hydrogen and fuel cells in the United States,"
said Fred Humes, director of the Applied Research Center in
Aiken. "I think the support is an affirmation of the efforts
that we began in 2005, 2006 and 2007."
Humes said he believes that the turnaround in Chu's viewpoint
came after Chu visited the University of South Carolina last
August at the request of Rep. James Clyburn and met with experts
in the hydrogen fuel cell industry.
Included in the meeting were USC President Harry Pastides,
S.C. Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance executive director Shannon
Baxter-Clemmons, local entrepreneurs and researchers.
Humes said that major players in the automobile industry,
including Daimler, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai and Nissan, are
planning to roll out fuel cell automobiles by 2015. The first
will likely roll out in California with a second wave on the
east coat -- hopefully in South Carolina.
"I think we are looking at the potential to be players in
parts in the supply chain for these, and our goal is to bring
them to South Carolina," Humes said. "When you do that, you
introduce that technology into South Carolina, then a lot of
that support activity follows and that means jobs for our
citizens."
In a statement on Friday, DOE spokesperson Bill Gibbons said
that fuel cell technology has been included in a wide portfolio
of technologies for which DOE has pursued research and
development.
"The Energy Department continues to view these fuel cell
technologies as an important part of an all-of-the-above
approach to diversify America's transportation sector, reduce
our dependence on foreign oil and increase our competitiveness
in the global market," Gibbons said.
Anna Dolianitis is a reporter for the Aiken Standard. She
covers the Department of Energy's Savannah River Site, as well
as court and legal matters affecting Aiken County. She has been
with the Aiken Standard since August 2010.