Hydrogen Highlights Innovative Solutions for Winter Environments
Hydrogen Highlights Innovative Solutions for Winter Environments
Extreme climate events increase the reliance on fossil-based sources of energy — and effectively reduce the capacity of renewables. As such, the prevalence of extreme climate events driven by climate change underline the value of innovative solutions — such as hydrogen. Hydrogen powered vehicles can be particularly transformative on the roads in locations where colder climates are the norm, with advantages that include zero emissions to greater range as well as energy efficiency. Current research and testing phases provide a glimpse into the value of hydrogen out on the roads, from buses in Philly to long-haul trucks in Canada.
An exploration of hydrogen on the road
Hydrogen already boasts a number of benefits. As the lightest element in the universe, hydrogen has the ability to burn easily, produces no climate-warming carbon dioxide when it does burn (or toxic pollution), it also has great potential in powering fuel cells in order to create electricity, highlights a Science News Explores article. The article goes on to detail hydrogen for energy or other uses — for starters, it’s noted that the concept of hydrogen use for energy purposes can be traced back to the 1960s, when General Motors unveiled a prototype van able to utilize a hydrogen fuel cell. Furthermore, it’s pointed out that the U.S. Department of Energy has worked on hydrogen power since the 1970s.
In regard to harsh weather conditions, it’s crucial to first understand why traditional fuel isn’t ideal in such conditions. One Car and Driver article points out that while gasoline won’t freeze (unless the conditions are down to 100 degrees below zero), water moisture in the gas lines may become icy.
James Grant, who owns Right Choice Automotive Repair in Fairbanks, Alaska explains:
In regard to fuel, one of the things we do see, if there’s any water content inside the fuel tank, that water can freeze and clog fuel pickup,
Electric vehicles (EVs) may seem like the obvious solution, though even these present their drawbacks —- in fact, some owners report 10 to 20 percent lower range at temperatures below freezing (typically, the colder the weather, the more the vehicle’s range will be reduced).
Innovative trials to come
The value of hydrogen may seem to be reserved for areas with stereotypically ‘extreme’ weather, though it’s important to realize that locations in the United States that experience colder-than-average weather can also benefit. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is just one great example of such a location that boasts various temperatures throughout the winter season (as high as 79 degrees and as low as 11 below, based on data that spans 130 years). Residents and businesses alike have learned to adapt, especially due to the fact that Philly is an active city in the winter months. As such, safety must remain at the forefront of the city’s harsh winters for business locations that experience plenty of footfall. For example, cleared ice and snow on walkways and parking lots are essential to a safe city in inclement weather. Safety in relation to hydrogen vehicles has been a concern for many, as one TopTiTech article points out, due to the fact that many wonder what happens when the exhaust from these vehicles freezes. However, it’s also stated that experts with experience in hydrogen fuel cells are not worried about the matter, as traditional gasoline-powered engines already produce water vapor in their emissions without issue. This effectively paves the way for testing hydrogen on the roads in such climates with hope for a zero-emissions future.
A recent conference in Center City Philadelphia resulted in transit professionals boarding a new Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) bus, one of 10 hydrogen fuel cell buses that SEPTA plans to roll out this fall. The year-long pilot program’s goal is to determine how hydrogen can make a positive change in the future in regard to a zero-emissions fleet. The program also provides the opportunity to those who will be operating the buses to try them out on the road and determine how well the buses handle the routes. A look at the overall goal reveals that the transit authority plans to transition its more than 1,300-bus fleet to zero-emissions by the year 2040.
Tyler Ladd, director of power engineering at SEPTA, stated:
We will be a mixed fleet, between… battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell,
Ladd further notes that the pilot projects will aid in the determination of what the percent mix will be.
The challenges involved
While hydrogen is recognized as a clean fuel that only produces water when utilized in a fuel cell, it’s crucial to recognize the fact that there are challenges involved. A Power Progress article points out that Canada’s Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) has performed research that explores the operation of hydrogen-diesel dual-fuel trucks as well as fuel cell electric vehicles, or FCEVs. Jamie King, who works in research and innovation for AMTA’s industry and advancement group (and is an expert on hydrogen trucks) highlights the association’s research, which features trials performed with more than 20 carriers using Hydra Energy dual-fuel trucks, Hyzon FCEVs and Nikola FCEVs.
The Power Progress article goes on to highlight additional challenges involved with hydrogen adoption. In Canada, King notes that a lot of the vehicles are produced in the States or in Europe — those that are produced in the U.S., he notes, are generally built for lighter loads, shorter distances, and temperatures that are more mild. The cost involved with hydrogen adoption is another prospective issue. Hydrogen vehicles, while a zero-emission option, are a costly endeavor for many. This underlines the reality of a slow transition for fleets across the world who wish to adopt the technology, and unveils the value of options such as hydrogen diesel dual fuel.
Hydrogen presents a variety of advantages, particularly when it comes to cold weather environments. With research and testing phases taking place in areas such as Pennsylvania and Canada, innovations highlight a step forward towards a more sustainable future.
READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hydrogen Central
Hydrogen Highlights Innovative Solutions for Winter Environments