Hydrogen highway

A hydrogen highway is a chain of hydrogen-equipped filling stations and other infrastructure along a road or highway which allow hydrogen powered cars to travel. A hydrogen filling infrastructure is generally assumed to be a pre-requisite for mass utilization of hydrogen cars. For instance, William Clay Ford Jr. has stated that infrastructure is one of three factors (also including costs and manufacturability in high volumes) that hold back the marketability of fuel cell cars.^[1] (On the flip side, some commentators such as Amory Lovins in Natural Capitalism, argue that such infrastructure may not be necessary). Hence, there are plans and proposals to begin developing hydrogen highways through private and public funds.

Promoting hydrogen transportation technologies may help in reducing local pollution and high gas prices. It would reduce pollution locally through the cleaner emissions that result from hydrogen fuel cell engines and could reduce gas prices by decreasing the amount of oil consumed and the demand for gasoline. However, local pollution gains would be more than offset by additional pollution created in the hydrogen manufacturing process, because the vast majority of hydrogen is produced from burning fossil fuels. For the same reason, the increased production of hydrogen would not lead to a decrease in oil prices.^[2]

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United States

There are plans and proposals for hydrogen highways in the United States.

California

For more details on this topic, see California Hydrogen Highway.

Hydrogen fueling stations began to be built in California by the California Fuel Cell Partnership around 1999 or 2000. However, they were not systematically positioned to form a hydrogen highway.

California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, mentioned having a hydrogen highway in California when he ran for Governor. Upon winning he reaffirmed his position in a State of the State Address on January 6, 2004 by saying:

I am going to encourage the building of a hydrogen highway to take us to the environmental future... I intend to show the world that economic growth and the environment can coexist. And if you want to see it, then come to California....

Later on Schwarzenegger introduced his "Vision 2010" plan. The main objective is for every citizen in California to have access to hydrogen fuel along the state highways by 2010. In doing so, this will include 150 to 200 hydrogen stations and have them spaced out a maximum of every 20 miles.

On July 21 2005, Governor Schwarzenegger signed a Senate Bill (SB) 76 to fund the first year of the California Hydrogen Highway project. The bill provides $6.5 million to build the Hydrogen Highway Networkup with up to three hydrogen fueling stations, as well as allowing leasing or purchase of hydrogen vehicles by the state and requiring development of standards for hydrogen fuel by 2008.^[3]

Senate Bill (SB) 1505, signed by Governor Schwarzenegger earlier 2007, puts the environmental requirements described in the California Hydrogen Highway Blueprint Plan into statute.

The California Hydrogen Net is abbreviated as CaH2Net.

Florida

On February 18, 2005, Jeb Bush, Governor of Florida, announced proposed legislation (called the Florida Energy Technologies Act) to promote hydrogen technologies in the state. He made this announcement at the ground-breaking of the first fueling station (set to be open in 2006) of a proposed hydrogen highway from Orlando to Tampa.^[4]

East Coast

The East Coast Hydrogen SuperHighway or NY Hydrogen H2IWay from New York City to Albany, and further to upstate NY in order to reach Montreal, as well as especially to east, Buffalo, along the major New York Thruway with further linking to the

Interprovincial Hydrogen Corridor

Planned between Detroit, Toronto and Montreal.^[1].

Canada

British Columbia

In British Columbia, Canada, the BC Hydrogen Highway is planned to link Vancouver and Whistler, host city and alpine venue of the 2010 Winter Olympics. It is targeted for full implementation by the start of the games. Currently seven fueling stations are being planned, located in Victoria, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver, Squamish, and Whistler. On March 13, 2007, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced funding of almost $200 million Canadian for environmental projects in B.C. including the hydrogen highway. [5]

Scandinavia

The Scandinavian Hydrogen Highway Partnership (SHHP) links the three current hydrogen highways HyNor, Hydrogen Link and HyFuture.

Norway

Hynor- In Norway, a hydrogen highway from Oslo to Stavanger is under construction and is expected to be completed by 2009.

Sweden

Hyfuture is the development of a hydrogen highway system in the western region of Sweden.

Denmark

Hydrogen link is a Nordic Transportation Network (NTN) that serves to link Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Germany.

See also

• Alternative Fuels Plan
• Hydrogen economy
• Hydrogen station
• California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP).

References

1. ^ Motavalli, Jim (2001). Breaking Gridlock: Moving Towards Transportation That Works. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books, pp. 155-156. ISBN 1-57805-039-1. 
2. ^  Romm, Joseph. The Hype About Hydrogen, 2nd Edition, 2005, Island Press, ISBN 1-55963-704-8
3. ^  SB76 Facts
4. ^  Gov. Bush breaks ground on Florida's 'hydrogen highway'