New Catalyst Shows Promise In Making Hydrogen Fuel More Affordable

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RESEARCHERS HAVE DEVELOPED A NEW, INEXPENSIVE CATALYST FOR HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS

Researchers from the University of Delaware have found a new way to produce inexpensive hydrogen fuel. The discovery could lead to less expensive fuel cells, as well, which may make these energy systems more attractive to consumers and businesses alike. Fuel cells are notoriously expensive because they are made using platinum. The high cost of fuel cells has made them somewhat unattractive when compared to other forms of renewable energy, such as solar power.

RESEARCH TEAM USES COPPER AND TITANIUM TO CREATE AN AFFORDABLE AND EFFICIENT FUEL CELL CATALYST

The research team from the University of Delaware, lead by chemical engineer Feng Jiao, have developed a new catalyst that uses copper alloy and titanium. The team found that combining copper and titanium produces better catalytic results than what can be found in traditional platinum catalysts. One of the major benefits of the new catalyst is that it is quite inexpensive. Using the new catalyst could make fuel cells more affordable and increase their performance capabilities. It could also lead to a new, inexpensive way to produce hydrogen fuel.

Commercialization Of New Catalyst Could Take Several Years To Achieve

Though the new catalyst shows a great deal of promise, it may be several years before the catalyst can see any commercial use. The research team has been experimenting with a small-scale catalyst, which serves as the first step for further research into making hydrogen fuel and fuel cells a more financially viable alternative to conventional forms of energy. Scaling up the catalyst will take time, and researchers will have to examine its capabilities before the catalyst can be commercialized in any significant way.

Hydrogen Fuel Cells Could Become More Popular Across Several Sectors

Hydrogen fuel cells are seeing the majority of their use in the transportation sector. These energy systems have become quite attractive to automakers because they produce electrical power without also producing emissions. Fuel cells have also been used in various industrial projects. Making these energy systems more affordable will likely increase their usage across various business sectors that have an interest in clean energy.

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Hyundai Joins Hytec To Support Hydrogen Fuel In Transportation

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HYUNDAI JOINS THE HYDROGEN TRANSPORT IN EUROPEAN CITIES CONSORTIUM

South Korean automaker Hyundai has announced that it has joined the Hydrogen Transport in European Cities (HyTEC) consortium. HyTEC is meant to expand the existing hydrogen fuel network in Europe, which is needed to support fuel cell vehicles in the public and personal transportation spaces. This project also works to demonstrate the capabilities of hydrogen fuel cells and how they can be used in the transportation field. Hyundai is one of several prominent companies that have joined the project in support of clean transportation.

HYUNDAI TO DELIVER ITS NEW FUEL CELL VEHICLES TO OSLO IN SUPPORT OF HYTEC PROJECTS

Hyundai will be delivering its new fuel cell vehicle, the ix35, to Oslo this year, where it will be putting the city's hydrogen infrastructure to the test. The vehicles that Hyundai delivers will serve as part of HyTEC initiatives in Denmark and the United Kingdom as well. In these countries, new hydrogen fuel stations are being built to support the growing clean transportation sector. Testing the fueling capabilities of these stations is an important part in building a comprehensive hydrogen network.

HyTEC Initiatives Aim To Collect Operational Data On Fuel Cell Vehicles And Hydrogen Fuel Stations

There are several initiatives that are currently underway by the HyTEC consortium. These initiatives are designed to gather operational data from fleets of fuel cell vehicles and the fueling stations that they are using. This data will be examined in order to determine how the hydrogen infrastructure in several European cities can be improved. This data will also help HyTEC develop a better understanding of how fuel cell vehicles can be assimilated into the existing public and personal transportation spaces.

Hydrogen May Be A Direct Solution To The Problems That The Transportation Field Faces Currently

HyTEC Project Coordinator and European Business Manager for Hydrogen Energy Systems with Air Products Diana Raine has expressed enthusiasm for Hyundai's entry into the consortium. According to Raine, HyTEC hopes to continue demonstrating that hydrogen is not a fuel that will be used in the distant future. Instead, hydrogen can be used today to great effect and can make the transportation field significantly more environmentally friendly.

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Hydrogen Fuel Cells Winning The Alternative Fuel Debate

The debate about whether electric or hydrogen is better when it comes to alternative fuel is ongoing among automakers. At least for the moment though, hydrogen fuel cells seem to be winning.

The potentially game-changing Hyundai Tucson can be refueled in less than 10 minutes, according to the automaker, and "makes the transition from gasoline to hydrogen as seamless as possible," said a report from Automotive News.

"The hydrogen fuel cell debate is no longer a chicken-and-egg conundrum. The fuel cell vehicle has arrived first. It works," wrote Richard Truett after driving the Hyundai Tucson.

The compact sport-utility vehicle, which uses fuel cell technology to convert hydrogen into electricity, has received an approving nod from Consumer Reports as well.

"It drives much like a normal Tucson, but without an engine it's actually much quieter. Hyundai claims it will go 265 miles before you have to refuel it. That's pretty amazing for an electric vehicle," said Jake Fisher, auto test director for Consumer Reports.

That kind of driving range trumps just about anything offered for a pure electric car. Tesla's Model S famously leads the electric-vehicle market with a 265-mile battery range, but the sedan is only available for those who can afford to pay upward of 70,000.

Plus a Tesla takes about 20 minutes for the battery to charge halfway, while a fuel-cell vehicle can typically be refilled for full driving range in about 10 minutes.

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