H2USA driving infrastructure for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
A consortium of energy companies, auto manufacturers, government laboratories, and other stakeholders is driving the acceleration of the rollout of an infrastructure for hydrogen-powered vehicles and related technologies. H2USA was launched last year by the Department of Energy (DOE) and other stakeholders to focus on furthering the infrastructure for hydrogen-powered vehicles, such as those powered by fuel cells.
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A bus in Australia powered by a fuel cell. Credit: Wikimedia Commons |
So far more than two dozen entities have joined H2USA, including the American Gas Association and national laboratories such as the DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Argonne and Sandia.
Fuel cells are becoming more common in a variety of applications, including as back-up energy sources in buildings and cell towers, as well as powering cars and trucks.
"Fuel cells powered by hydrogen offer an amazing opportunity to power vehicles with virtually no emissions besides water vapor," said Jamie Holladay, PNNL's sector manager for fuel cell technologies. "Our participation in H2USA enables us to help set the direction of the development of the infrastructure for the nation."
Participants in H2USA are working together to create ways to deliver affordable hydrogen fuel safely, but the hydrogen infrastructure is in the very early stages. Several major automakers have plans to unveil fuel cell-powered vehicles for sale in the next few years. The consortium is helping to create the infrastructure necessary so that drivers of those cars can be confident of a fill-up nearby.
Recently, PNNL engineers developed an app, Hydrogen Tools, which incorporates a variety of resources and web-based content to help those involved in designing, approving or using hydrogen fuel cell systems and facilities. Several other PNNL projects are aimed at inventing new ways of safely storing hydrogen on board a vehicle or lowering the cost of carbon fiber tanks, and scientists have developed new catalysts for fuel cells and hydrogen production technologies.
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