Transportation - Alternative Fuels, Hydrogen Fuel Cells David Cancel, University of California, San Diego, Urban Studies and Planning Program INTRODUCTION RESEARCH QUESTION: Are Hydrogen fuel cells the best alternative source of energy that is environmentally –safe and cost effective for use in bus transport and commercial fleets? ABSTRACT: The world energy demand, global economic crisis, and concerns over availability and cost of petroleum fuels have made the search for an environmentally-safe fuel a necessity for the future of mankind. In recent discussion of Hydrogen as a fuel source, a controversial issue has been whether it is a safe form of energy. The following research discusses the many questions surrounding the safety and environmental impact that hydrogen fuel cells may have on future transportation initiatives. The main focus of my research is hydrogen fuel cell use for infrastructure planning specific to bus transit and commercial fleets. BACKGROUND The search for an environmentally-friendly fuel that is cost effective and readily available is a monumental quest for current and future transportation and infrastructure planning. An investment in leading edge technologies that promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy usage will create not only alternative sources of clean safe energy, but fuel a more resilient economy and cleaner environment. PURPOSE: Hydrogen fuel is a viable source of energy and should be embraced now, vigorously studied, and fully supported by the federal government to enable energy infrastructure to evolve to a life sustainable source, in which mankind and the environment may coexist. FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS Findings 1: Hydrogen Environmental Safety - Jamie Ally and Trevor Pryor, study of emissions that contribute to acidification and photochemical ozone are greater for fuel cell buses; however, scenario analysis reveals improvements in future generations of fuel cell vehicles and shows a reduction of greater than 50 percent is achievable. Findings 2: Hydrogen Infrastructure & Zero Emission Studies - Joan M. Ogden. The study reveals that cost of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles including infrastructure, in general, is much less than the current alternatives of methanol and gasoline. The cost per vehicle to develop a hydrogen refueling infrastructure would be perhaps $310-$620/vehicle. Findings 3: What does the future look like for this alternative energy? Dr. Scott of TransPower:“We see fuel cells as the ultimate answer (down the road) to zero-emission vehicles, and by the year 2020, we're going to have fuel cells as an important part of many auto/ truck and transit buses in their portfolio. Findings 4:ThunderPower Fuel Bus Demonstration for DOE and NREL at Sunline Transit Agency: The demonstration at Sunline was a success, as the ThunderPower bus (prototype) was designed, developed, integrated and operated successfully for six months, operated in revenue service at a reliable level with availability at 71% and accumulated 8,800 miles and 655 fuel cell fuel power plant hours. Findings 5: Sunline’s Prototype development and study for NREL : Sunline Transit Agency developed a fuel cell bus with two fuel cell buses in operation today, the Van Hool fuel bus (2006) and the AT fuel cell bus (2010). Sunline develops a purpose-built fuel cell bus the meets FTA “Buy America” requirements with a team that includes: ElDorado; BAE Systems; and Ballard, and demonstrate the prototype in RESEARCH METHODS Case studies and analysis of hydrogen fuel usage Interviews with TransPower executives : Dr. Paul B. Scott V.P.of Advanced Development Harold Myer VP of Manufacturing CASE STUDIES ThunderPower Fuel Bus Demonstration for Department Of Energy (DOE) and National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) at Sunline Transit Agency Sunline’s Prototype development and study for NREL Hydrogen Infrastructure & Zero Emission Studies CONCLUSION Hydrogen fuel for a source of energy needs to be embraced, vigorously studied, and fully supported by the federal government to enable energy infrastructure to evolve to a life sustainable source, in which mankind and the environment may coexist. Hydrogen vehicles will assist in limiting the formation of smog and greenhouse gas emissions Over the past ten or more years, fuel cell buses have been used for bus transit at several companies in California (e.g. SunLine Transit Agency) Several U.S. Energy Department Agencies are directly involved in the study and demonstration of the hydrogen fuel cell technology such as: 1.National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL); and 2.Department of Energy (DOE). The study and design of hydrogen fuel cell buses is strategically aligned with the goal of reducing smog and greenhouse gas emissions and is introducing technology that has no foreseeable limits.