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A Driving Motivation for H2GO is to get hydrogen vehicles into production and use and not remain for forever in development. This can be done now with Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) designed or converted to operate on gaseous hydrogen. H2 ICE technology has zero and even negative emissions (ie actually cleans the air of hydrocarbons and other pollutants) that is they can be environmentally superior to ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) technology. They are also better than fuel cells because they are available now at a much lower cost and the necessary knowledge and infrastructure for production, servicing and repairs is everywhere. Apart from the high cost of fuel cells, hydrogen powered vehicles have not become widespread for two reasons. Firstly, the storage problem – due to the low energy density of gaseous hydrogen, hydrogen powered vehicles have limited range and secondly the relatively high cost of hydrogen as a fuel. However on Pacific Islands and small remote communities 100kms range is ample and the 350kms range of conventional passenger vehicles is not required. Further more fuel is usually transported to small islands in 205 l (44 gal) drums and the cost of fuel compared with mainland city prices is increased by a factor of 2.5 or more. At this price hydrogen can economically be produced locally from renewable electricity. H2GO has a prototype H2 ICE vehicle in development (see photos) with the intention that this will become a production car. H2GO will supply modular integrated hydrogen generation, storage, distribution and dispensing systems to provide a total energy storage and transportation solution for remote locations. H2GO will in the longer term or on request produce a fuel cell variant of these vehicles. Pacific Island Hydrogen Economy. It has become policy for some Pacific Island Nations (Vanuatu) to adopt a hydrogen economy and now Hawaii is considering similar legislation. H2GO Hydrogen Vehicles is responding to this commitment to the hydrogen economy. Design objectives are low cost (affordable in the Pacific Islands), suitable for the climatic conditions and easily transported, assembled, serviced and repaired in remote locations. Furthermore H2GO will supply this as a kit car to local assembly and distribution companies fulfilling the preference for some manufacturing to be done in Pacific Island countries. The car bodies must be manufactured without expensive tooling – dyes, moulds etc. and the design will include interchangeable body sections so that the vehicle can be used for multiple purposes. The Remote Outback Vehicle. The vehicle will also be suitable for remote locations in the Australian Outback. It will have dual fuel capability permitting long range travel if required.
Company ProfileH2GO Hydrogen Vehicles is a spin-off of a research program of EnGen Institute which has been researching a complete energy system for remote locations, in particular remote islands. Over many years various studies in Roadmaps to the Hydrogen Economy have noted that the Hydrogen Economy could most viably commence with the micro economies of remote areas. In very remote areas, such as distant off-shore islands, the cost of diesel or petrol for transportation is two and a half times or more the cost of transport fuel on mainland locations. The cost of running generators to produce electricity is so great that photovoltaic and wind generated renewal energy is economic. However the storage of renewable energy in batteries is expensive and unsuited to transport. For a total energy system, based on renewable energy, it is necessary to greatly increase the volume of renewable energy collected so that the energy system is capable of providing heating & cooling, industrial power and transport, not just lighting and communications. The solution to this requirement is to harvest renewable energy from tidal and ocean power as this provides a reliable and predictable bulk supply of renewable energy.
For transportation low cost and weight energy storage is required. Storage of large amounts of energy in a Hydrogen Energy System (ie. electrolysis, H2 storage plus fuel cell) is lower in cost than the equivalent battery storage. Energy stored as compressed H2 gas or metal hydride (commercial products) has a lower weight than batteries and is more suitable for transportation. Currently fuel cell vehicles are too expensive for such micro economies but a H2 ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicle would be affordable. The prototype H2GO hydrogen powered jeep remains a research project of EnGen Institute which is continuing development through to a production prototype.
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