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Title: Hydrogen fuel cell unit to provide renewable power to Honolulu port
Source:
Phys.org
URL Source: http://phys.org/news/2015-08-hydrogen-fuel-cell-renewable-power.html
Published: Aug 28, 2015
Author: Phys.org
Post Date: 2015-09-01 16:51:50 by Operation 40
Keywords: Hydrogen, Energy, Solar
Views: 1040
Comments: 8
Nothing but water: Hydrogen fuel cell unit to provide renewable power to Honolulu port
“We are pleased to help expand this clean energy technology to new applications,” said Young Brothers, Ltd., President Glenn Hong. Young Brothers is hosting a project led by Sandia National Laboratories to test a hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered generator as an alternative to diesel in powering refrigerated containers. Credit: David Murphy)
A new chapter in clean energy is starting in Hawaii. At Young Brothers Ltd.'s Port of Honolulu facility, Sandia National Laboratories is leading the Maritime Hydrogen Fuel Cell project to test a hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered generator as an alternative to conventional diesel generators.
On Friday, the project kickoff is being marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, Young Brothers President Glenn Hong and Sandia California Vice President Marianne Walck.
"Today, we take another big step in transforming our nation to a clean energy economy," said Schatz. "The fuel cell technology being deployed today will one day mean less carbon pollution in our ports and on the high seas. The great work from all the partners involved, especially Young Brothers, is helping lead the way to a cleaner, more energy-efficient future."
In June, Hawaii Gov. David Ige signed four energy bills, including one that strengthens Hawaii's commitment to clean energy by directing the state's utilities to generate 100 percent of their electricity sales from renewable resources by 2045. As the most oil-dependent state in the nation and one that could be most affected by rising sea levels, Hawaii has become an early adopter of emerging technologies and innovative energy solutions...SNIP
...Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu is supplying the hydrogen to power the fuel cell. The hydrogen is produced by electrolysis, the process of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, using electricity supplied by Hickam's solar-powered electrical grid...
Snip- more: http://phys.org/news/2015-08-hydrogen-fuel-cell-renewable-power.html
While many Americans say it can't be done, or it's a waste of time, the Hydrogen Revolution continues...
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"The hydrogen is produced by electrolysis, the process of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, using electricity supplied by Hickam's solar-powered electrical grid..."
Solar power creates electricity which is used on water to create hydrogen and oxygen. Then the hydrogen and oxygen are fed into a hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered generator which creates electricity and water.
Are we having fun yet?
Given the (in)efficiencies of both systems, wouldn't we be better off using the electricity from the solar cells directly?
#2. To: misterwhite, All (#1)
Given the (in)efficiencies of both systems, wouldn't we be better off using the electricity from the solar cells directly?
Ssssssshhhhh......you are just a victim of incorrect thinking.
потому что Бог хочет это тот путь
#3. To: Operation 40 (#0)
Interesting
Si vis pacem, para bellum
#4. To: Operation 40, SOSO, misterwhite, Stoner (#0) (Edited)
Another ridiculous press release. Hydrogenics Corp. designed and built the hydrogen fuel cell generator unit, comprised of four 30-kilowatt fuel cells, a hydrogen storage system and power-conversion equipment, all packaged in a 20-foot shipping container. With 75 kilograms of onboard hydrogen storage, the generator has enough energy to power 10 refrigerated containers for 20 continuous hours of operation. ... The unit is already providing power to refrigerated containers on shore. Soon it will begin powering the same refrigerated containers on Young Brothers’ barges that distribute goods to Hawaii’s other islands. Young Brothers is a subsidiary of Foss Maritime Co. “Young Brothers will be testing and demonstrating this technology on our onshore and ocean environments over the next six months,” said Young Brothers President Glenn Hong. “We are very pleased to have been selected to participate in this project with our many national and international partners in expanding this clean technology into new applications.” Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu is supplying the hydrogen to power the fuel cell. The hydrogen is produced by electrolysis, the process of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, using electricity supplied by Hickam’s solar-powered electrical grid. An analysis by Sandia and DOE showed that due to fluctuating loads in maritime auxiliary power applications, a hydrogen fuel cell, which only supplies power when it is needed, is more energy efficient than a diesel engine.
It can keep 10 refrigerated containers running for 20 hours? Is this a joke?
I'm not sure why, with the plethora of far more interesting fuel cell projects, this one should be celebrated.
For instance, fuel-cell forklifts are gaining much wider acceptance and meet more needs in industry than a handful of refrigerated containers.
History1960 - Allis-Chalmers builds the first fuel cell forklift[1][2]MarketIn 2013 there were over 4,000 fuel cell forklifts used in material handling in the USA. Fuel cell fleets are currently being operated by a number of companies, including Sysco Foods, FedEx Freight, GENCO (at Wegmans, Coca-Cola, Kimberly Clark, and Whole Foods), and H-E-B Grocers.[3] Europe demonstrated 30 Fuel cell forklifts with Hylift and extended it with HyLIFT-EUROPE to 200 units.[4] With other projects in France [5][6] and Austria[7]UsesPEM fuel-cell-powered forklifts provide benefits over petroleum powered forklifts as they produce no local emissions. While LP Gas (propane) forklifts are more popular and often used indoors, they cannot accommodate certain food industry applications. Fuel cell power efficiency (40-50%)[citation needed] is about half that of lithium-ion batteries (80-90%)[citation needed], but they have a higher energy density which may allow forklifts to run longer. Fuel-cell-powered forklifts are often used in refrigerated warehouses as their performance is not as affected by temperature as some types of lithium batteries. Most fuel cells used for material handling purposes are powered by PEM fuel cells, although some DMFC forklifts are coming onto the market. In design the FC units are often made as drop-in replacements.[8] Research 2013 -Toyota Industries (Toyota Shokki) has revealed a new fuel cell powered forklift truck, co-developed with Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.,[9] |
#5. To: TooConservative (#4) (Edited)
"For instance, fuel-cell forklifts are gaining much wider acceptance"
That's a good application, as long as the water byproduct is collected and not allowed to drip on the floor.
I suppose if forklift drivers don't mind a container of explosive propane 12 inches from their head, they won't care about a 20,000 psi mini-Hindenburg in the same spot.
#6. To: misterwhite (#5) (Edited)
That's a good application, as long as the water byproduct is collected and not allowed to drip on the floor.
You could run a small forklift engine all day and not collect more than a gallon of water so it would be easy to collect it on board the forklift. No doubt, this is what they do. You might recall that endurance run by a hydrogen car where they collected the water in a water tank on the back of the car so they could drink it as they drove through Death Valley (or some other daft treehugger desert location).
Notice that, without a lot of hoopla, there are now thousands of these forklifts in operation, many in refrigerated warehouses or other areas where they just make more sense or are safer.
And they supply these as drop-in replacements for the existing battery power, mostly modern lithium-powered or propane-powered forklifts.
That's much bigger news about fuel cell tech changing industry than this rather inconsequential piece about a single container-sized fuel cell that can power a dozen other refrigerated containers. The only standout about that is that it is contained inside a standard stackable container so it can be used better for delivery barges and such.
I think the fuel cell forklifts will change the world much faster than the fuel-cell-in-a-container refrigeration unit.
they won't care about a 20,000 psi mini-Hindenburg in the same spot
Known in the trade as a Hinden-forklift. Or did I just make that up? It's so hard to keep it straight. : )
#7. To: misterwhite (#1)
Given the (in)efficiencies of both systems, wouldn't we be better off using the electricity from the solar cells directly?
Hydrogen allows storage of excess solar and wind energy. It's better than a lithium battery because it doesn't degrade and it's light- the containers weigh more than the hydrogen. A kilogram of Hydrogen will be the same in 10,000 or 100,000 years with no change whatsoever.
Lithium batteries always die. Then they need to be replaced. The used materials then must be recycled. A Tesla Model S battery weighs about 1320 pounds. You can't just throw it in the back of a pickup.
Solar Hydrogen is the fuel of the future. Read why here:
http://www.amazon.com/Solar-Hydrogen-Future-Mario-Pagliaro/dp/1849731950/
#8. To: Operation 40 (#7)
Solar Hydrogen is the fuel of the future. Read why here:
You do realize that hydrogen has supposedly been the fuel of the future for the last 50 years? And fuel cells were the "engine" of the future also for the last 50 years?
There seems to be an endless supply of rubes like you who get weak in the knees and swoon over dotty phrases like "fuel of the future", "peak oil", "global warming", etc.
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