Arizona’s First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus Tours
According to SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb 27, 2007 — BUSINESS WIRE
ECOtality, Inc. (OTC BB: ETLY), a technology innovator that addresses the global energy challenge by developing and commercializing eco-friendly technologies, today brings the first hydrogen fuel cell bus to Arizona. The ECObus is the result of a partnership with Arizona Public Service (APS) company, and will begin its tour of Arizona at today’s Clean Cities Coalition event at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza. During its statewide tour, the public is invited to step onto the zero-emission mobile learning center and experience hydrogen fuel cell technology.
As the state’s first hydrogen-powered bus, the ECObus serves as a mobile classroom for hydrogen fuel cell technology. Complete with an audio visual system and interactive workstations, the ECObus is equipped to educate the community - from school children to civic decision makers - about hydrogen’s potential as an alternative to carbon fuel-burning vehicles. Compressed hydrogen fuel stored at APS Hydrogen Park will power the bus throughout the tour.
“APS is committed to supporting natural and clean energy development for the state of Arizona. In addition, this partnership presents a good opportunity to further educate students and the public about renewable energy,” said Peter Johnston, manager, technology development, APS.
“The launch of ECOtality’s ECObus is an important milestone for Arizona and is helping the state remain a leader in clean, alternative fuel use,” said Bill Sheaffer, executive director, Valley of the Sun Clean Cities Coalition. “We’re proud to be working with organizations like ECOtality and APS, whose commitments to clean technologies significantly impact our environment for the better and serve as an example for communities worldwide.”
When used in a fuel cell, hydrogen produces electricity without any harmful emissions; its byproduct is a small amount of water vapor. This is in sharp contrast to today’s conventional vehicles which - fueled by petroleum and powered by internal combustion engines - contribute significantly to the greenhouse gases and other noxious substances being emitted into the atmosphere daily. As such, hydrogen is an ideal renewable energy source, answering today’s complex energy problems with its ability to power cars, trucks, homes and business with no pollution or greenhouse gases.
“The ECObus will play a key role in helping our community better understand green technologies and underscores the reality that hydrogen fuel is an accessible, safe and reliable energy option,” said Jonathan Read, CEO, ECOtality. “Our work with APS and Clean Cities Coalition to bring this educational campaign to Arizona is part of ECOtality’s mission to cultivate renewable energy and clean technology solutions that change the way we power our lives.”
The ECObus, one of only 12 hydrogen fuel cell buses in North America, will begin its tour on February 27, 2007 showcasing the capabilities of hydrogen fuel cell technology. For more information about the ECObus, visit www.ecotality.com.
Jimmy : LET’S GO FOR FUEL CELL BUS SINGAPORE !
Simon : Well, let's analyse where Hydrogen is made of in America....hydrogen is an energy carrier, not an energy source. Electrolysis, which requires electricity, is used to extract hydrogen from water. As of 2005, 49.7% of the electricity produced in the United States comes from coal, 19.3% comes from nuclear, 18.7% comes from natural gas, 6.5% from hydroelectricity, 3% from petroleum and the remaining 2.8% mostly coming from geothermal, solar and biomass. This Hydrogen Fuel Cell maybe much cleaner to be used in America as they have diversified their electricity sources with TRUE RENEWABLE ENERGY such as Hydroelectricity, Geothermal, Solar, Biomass and others from much more expensive fossil fuels like natural gas, petroleum, coal and nuclear....in America...
The cost of using Hydrogen fuel cell power vehicle in Singapore is too expensive as we have only few types of electrical power plants that requires imported fossil fuels. As per 2006, 80% of Singapore's power generation is by Natural gas and the rest by bitumen from Venezuela and other oil based fossil fuel....hence it's not much cleaner or CHEAPER to use hydrogen fuel cell in Singapore.
If we use Natural gas powered vehicles....maybe there is a higher EROEI ratio...instead of converting to electricity and use the electricity to get hydrogen from electrolysis of H2O. Let's hope there will be more TRUE renewable energies being promoted as soon as possible!!!
Popularity: unranked [?]
